HOW DO I BEGIN?
The Mission of SouthPointe Church is to "Lead people to a growing relationship with Jesus Christ". Before that can happen, it is necessary to have a proper point of beginning as to why we need a relationship with Jesus Christ. The point of beginning must be with God and His Word: the Bible. Before a person can begin this relationship, they must accept what the Bible says about a person's need of this relationship, and more importantly, what it says about us.
THE PROBLEM
The Scriptures makes it perfectly clear that everyone of us have a huge problem. That problem is sin! We are all sinners. To make matters worse, we did not become sinners when we reached a certain age or when we committed our very first sin. The Bible says that we are all sinners because of our sinful nature. Specifically, we are all born sinners in need of salvation. Consider the following Scriptures:
"All have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God" (Romans 3:23).
"Behold, I was shapen in iniquity; and in sin did my mother conceive me" (Psalm 51:5).
"The wicked are estranged from the womb; they go astray as soon as they are born, speaking lies" (Psalm 58:3).
For Further Study (Ephesians 2:1-3; Job 15:14; Job 25:4; Romans 10:3,12; Romans 5: 12-21).
So, according to the Word of God, which is our starting point, a person cannot begin a relationship with God until they recognize why they need this relationship. Sin is the problem. Sin has separated us from God. Only salvation in Christ can restore the relationship with Christ that we so desperately need.
SALVATION COMES ONLY FROM GOD
Salvation! What is that? What does it mean? Actually, the word can be used to mean many different things. You can be saved from danger, financial ruin, a bad relationship, or a multitude of other things. However, in Christianity, the word only has one simple meaning: "Deliverance from sin and eternal death and separation from God".
Salvation is a Free Gift From God. (A gift implies that it is free)
"For by grace are you saved through faith; and not of yourselves: it is the gift of God; not of works, lest any man should boast" (Ephesians 2:8-9).
Salvation Bridges the Gap That Sin Has Created. (The worse thing about sin is that it separates us from the one who created us and loved us before the world began - God).
"Look unto me and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth; for I am God, and there is none else" (Isaiah 45:22).
Salvation Gives Us a Right Standing With God. (To have a right standing with God means that He Himself has freely given to us His perfect righteousness in the place of our sin).
"For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation" ( Romans 10:10).
Salvation Comes Through Christ's Death on the Cross. (The central message of the bible is that God willingly offered up His only Son as a perfect sacrifice for our sin upon the cross).
"But God commended His love for us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us" (Romans 5:8).
Salvation was confirmed By His Resurrection From the Dead. (After dying willing on the cross, He rose triumphantly, defeating death, hell, and the grave - forever)!
"Through Him you believe in God, who raised Jesus Christ from the dead, and gave Him honor and glory, so that your faith and hope are centered in God" (1 Peter 1:21).
"Knowing that Christ being raised from the dead dieth no more; death hath no more dominion over Him" (Romans 6:9).
In summary, when salvation takes place in a persons life, it is always demonstrated by a willingness to repent of sin. When we repent, we in essence are agreeing with God that we are sinners in need of salvation. Salvation is the acceptance of and faith in the finished work of Jesus Christ for the remission of sin. Upon acceptance of this free gift, it is now Christ who lives in us, and it is Christ who makes us righteous.
"I am crucified with Christ, nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ lives in me; and the life that I now live, I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave Himself for me"(Galations 2:20).
We encourage each of you right now, to take this First Step and begin your part of the story today by accepting Jesus Christ as your personal Lord and Savior of your life. A growing relationship with Jesus Christ awaits you.
