Salvation — how do I get saved?
Salvation is not a reward for good behavior. It is a gift God gives to anyone who turns from sin and trusts what Jesus already did on the cross.
Why we need saving
Every one of us has sinned. Sin separates us from a holy God, and the honest wage of sin is death. That's not God being harsh — it's God being just.
But God did not leave us there. While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
Romans 3:23
"For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God."
Romans 6:23
"For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord."
Romans 5:8
"But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us."
How to receive Him
Believe in your heart that Jesus is the Son of God, that He died for your sins and rose again. Confess Him with your mouth as Lord. Repent — that means agreeing with God about your sin and turning from it.
You can pray something like this, in your own words and honestly: "God, I know I'm a sinner and I can't save myself. I believe Jesus died for me and rose again. I turn from my sin and I give You my life. Be my Lord. Make me new. In Jesus' name, amen."
Romans 10:9-10
"That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved."
Ephesians 2:8-9
"For by grace are ye saved through faith... not of works, lest any man should boast."
John 1:12
"But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God."
How do I know if I'm truly saved?
Assurance does not come from a feeling or from remembering a date. It comes from God's promise and from the evidence His Spirit produces in you.
Ask yourself: Do I believe and confess Jesus as Lord? Has my attitude toward sin changed — does it grieve me now instead of just entertaining me? Am I drawn to God's word, to prayer, to His people? Do I sense the Spirit correcting me?
Growth is not perfection. You will still stumble. When you do, confess it — He is faithful to forgive, not eager to throw you out.
1 John 5:13
"These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life."
Romans 8:16
"The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God."
1 John 1:9
"If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness."
2 Corinthians 5:17
"Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new."
Your next steps
Tell somebody. Get into the word daily, even five minutes. Start talking to God out loud. Get around believers who will hold you up — that's what Outlet is for.
This page is a tool, not an authority. The word is the authority — line everything up with scripture, stay in prayer, and let the Holy Spirit be your teacher.