So far this year we’ve discussed what it means to share the Gospel with others and where to begin. This month we’re going to talk about explaining His Plan of Salvation.
God’s Plan of Salvation: How can I explain it?
In this article, we will consider a simple, scriptural, and concise way to explain to another God’s plan of salvation. Salvation is a gift, but it’s a gift we must choose to accept in order to become part of God’s kingdom (Acts 2:38).
Consider the following three points:
1. The Problem: Sin
The greatest problem confronting mankind is not economic, educational, cultural, racial, social, or physical. The greatest problem confronting humanity is the problem of sin.
Sin causes man to be separated from God (lost!): Isaiah 59:1–2
Sin causes one to be spiritually dead: Ephesians 2:1–2; Romans 6:23
Sin is a universal malady because all have sinned: Romans 3:9-10; Ecclesiastes 7:20; Romans 6:23
Sin causes man to be lost in this life and lost eternally. It is a terrible malady, a deadly disease, an awful affliction!
2. The Remedy: The Blood of Christ
Sin is the problem: that’s the bad news. But there is a remedy for the problem of sin; there is a cure for the disease: that’s the good news.
The remedy for sin is the blood of Christ!
Jesus said in Matthew 26:28, “For this is my blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.”
It is the blood of Christ that provides us forgiveness: Romans 5:8; Ephesians 1:7; Colossians 1:14; 1 Peter 1:18–19; Revelation 1:5.
The word “gospel,” which means “good news,” is that Christ died for our sins (1 Corinthians 15:1–4).
3. The Response: Obeying Christ
Having identified the problem (sin) and the remedy (Christ’s blood), the question remains, “How does one get the remedy?”
The answer is simple: we must obey Jesus Christ. The Bible tells us that Jesus is the author of eternal salvation to all who obey Him (Hebrews 5:8–9).
Jesus commands we believe in Who He is (John 8:24), repent (Luke 13:3), confess our faith in Him (Matthew 10:32), accepting His invitation of salvation, and be baptized (Mark 16:16). He further tells us to remain faithful (Revelation 2:10).
An Illustration:
Suppose a man went to a doctor for a check-up. The doctor found a deadly disease that could take the man’s life. That’s bad news. But the doctor tells the man there’s a medicine that can cure his disease. That’s good news! Then the doctor instructs the man to take the prescription. Would the man hesitate taking the remedy if he was thoroughly convinced it would alleviate his affliction?
Likewise man must learn of and acknowledge his problem; he must come to know that sin is the deadly disease confronting us all. But he needs also to learn that through Christ there is a remedy, and he needs to learn what that remedy is.
Conclusion:
Think of these three points (problem, remedy, response), learn the Scriptures that relate to each of these points and demonstrate their truthfulness, and then be about the business of telling people the good news of the gospel and God’s desire for them to be forgiven and have eternal life.
Emphasize to people how much God loves them and what a great gift He has given them (John 3:16). Share with them God’s great desire for them to receive this great gift. Everything necessary for our salvation on God’s part had been done; now it is up to us to accept by faith the gift of God.
Scriptures for further study: Luke 19:10; 1 Timothy 2:5; Romans 10:17; Hebrews 11:6; Acts 3:19; Galatians 3:26–27; 1 Peter 3:21.
By John Brown
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