The term 'getting saved' is sometimes misunderstood. Many individuals feel that they are not in need of salvation since they see themselves from a worldly standpoint and develop a false sense of security, thinking that they are doing okay.

Do you know where you stand with God?

Getting saved is all about getting back into right standing with God so that you can enjoy every day throughout eternity with Him. Before receiving salvation, we are separated from God because of the sin we were born into due to the mistakes of Adam and Eve.

Jesus Christ was sent to this earth to die on the cross and shed His blood to make a way for us to return to God. The Bible says, “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” John 3:16.

In order to bring us back to God, a price had to be paid. Jesus Christ paid that price and that is why we call it 'salvation.' Getting saved occurs the moment that we recognize that according to 2 Corinthians 5:21, "God made Jesus, who knew no sin, to become sin for us."--and then we receive that payment for our own lives. We make it personal.

When Jesus paid the price for our sin He became our substitute. Once that price was paid, Jesus rose from the dead, victorious over Satan and the problem of sin was forever settled. All we have to do is accept it; and why wouldn't we? It is a free gift. Salvation can not be earned or worked for. Being a good person won't get you into heaven. It is a free gift. Ephesians 2:8-9 declares, "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."

With that said, the only thing that keeps you from becoming a child of God is you. Failure to accept the glorious gift of salvation keeps you away.

You have a free will. You have the right to choose your own destiny. God will not force you to accept salvation. You can go straight to hell and God will not stop you. He did all He is going to do when He sent Jesus to the cross.

If you do choose to receive salvation, God will accept you as His very own child. You will literally become part of God’s family. This is not just a theological idea; this is truth. It really happens. Corinthians 4:4 says that you take on a new Father, a heavenly Father and you are born again—not physically, but spiritually. Your spirit is reborn in the likeness of God.

According to 2 Corinthians 5:17, when you accept salvation, you become a new creation. Old things pass away and all things become new. As far as God is concerned, at the moment of salvation, you become a brand-new person. You are reborn from sin and death to righteousness and new life. That is a fact.

The Bible gives specific instructions that you are to follow in order to receive salvation. Romans 10:8-11 tells us,"If you will confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus, and will believe in your heart that God has raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart man believes unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation."

So, in order to get saved--or to accept salvation, you need to use your mouth and your heart. First, you believe in your heart that God’s Word is true, and then you confess it with your mouth because you believe it. You can do this in the form of a short prayer, which is really a way of talking to God.

If you feel that you are ready to receive salvation, you can say something like this to God, "God, I know that I'm a sinner and I'm not right with you, but I want to be. I believe what it says in the Bible. I believe that Jesus came and died for me. I believe that He made a way for me to return to You because You love me that much. I receive what Jesus did for me right now and I ask for the free gift of salvation that will make me a new creation. From now on my life is in Your hands."

If you have said these words and meant them from the heart, you are now saved. You may not feel any different, but spiritually you are a whole new person. It is important to surround yourself with Godly influences, read your Bible and talk to God as much as you can. You will begin to grow in your relationship with God and will become spiritually stronger every day.

Welcome to the family of God!