The Plan of Salvation
The plan of salvation was formulated before the foundation of earth. Christ affirmed this truth when He said, “Father, I desire that they also whom You gave Me may be with Me where I am, that they may behold My glory which You have given Me; for You loved Me before the foundation of the world” (John 17:24 also Matthew 25:34). The presentation of Christ as the redeeming Lamb in the plan of salvation was not an emergency plan made to meet an unexpected situation but was part of God’s eternal purposes (Matthew 13:35).
The truth that the plan of salvation was formulated before the creation of the world was also taught by Peter (1 Peter 1:20), Paul (Romans 16:25), and John (Revelation 13:8). Though the original plan of salvation for this world, was disrupted for a brief time by the entrance of sin, it will finally triumph. And God’s purposes will be supreme on earth as it is in heaven (Matthew 6:10).
The Incarnation
Although the foreknowledge of God and the determined provision of a Savior reaches back into the eternal past, the incarnation made the plan of salvation a historical fact (1 John 1:2; John 1:14; 1 John 1:1, 3). Although from the days of eternity, the Son of God was one with the Father, He chose to hand over His kingly authority into the Father’s hands. He stepped down from the throne of the universe, in order that He might live with us and acquaint us with His divine character and life.
Though Christ was originally “in the form of God,” He “did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped. But He emptied himself,” and, “being born in the likeness of men,” was “found in human form” (Philippians 2:6–8). Divinity was clothed with humanity, not exchanged for it. Christ did not cease to be God when He became man. But the two natures became one, yet each stayed distinguished.
In Him, was “all the fulness of the Godhead bodily” (Colossians 2:9); nevertheless, “in all things He had to be made like His brethren, that He might be a merciful and faithful High Priest in things pertaining to God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people” (Hebrews 2:17).
How Can I Accept God’s Plan of Salvation?
To accept God’s plan of salvation is the most important decision humans can make. For it decides their eternal destiny- either to eternal life or death. Jesus said, “For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?” (Matthew 16:26). The Bible teaches that to be saved a person needs to follow these simple steps:
- Accept God’s love: “In this was manifested the love of God toward us, because that God sent his only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through him. Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins” (1 John 4:9, 10).
- Confess and repent of your sins: “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9).
- Receive God’s plan of salvation by faith: Believe that: Christ died for you. “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life” (John 3:16). Believe that He forgives you. For “He who covers his sins will not prosper, but whoever confesses and forsakes them will have mercy” (Proverbs 28:13). And finally, believe that Christ saves you from eternal death. “he who believes in Me has everlasting life” (John 6:47).
- Obey God’s commandments through His enabling power: Jesus said, “If ye love me, keep my commandments” (John 14:15). And remember that “it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose” (Philippians 2:13).
- Abide in God through daily study of scriptures, prayer and witnessing: “Search the scriptures” (John 5:39), “Pray without ceasing” (1 Thessalonians 5:17) and “go and make disciples” (Matthew 28:19).
- Join God’s true church: The Bible gives the description of God’s true church: “Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God, and the faith of Jesus” (Revelation 14:12). Therefore, God’s true Church will keep all of God’s commandments (Exodus 20:8-11) and have the faith of Jesus (Acts 16:31).
- Get baptized: “He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned” (Mark 16:16).
To accept God’s plan of salvation today, you can start by praying this prayer: “My heavenly Father, I accept Jesus the lamb that died for my sins. Come into my heart and save me. And help me to walk with you every day. In Jesus’ Name I ask. Amen.”
In His service,
BibleAsk Team
