How simple is salvation? Can you just ask God to save you? Does he do it? Does he require anything more of you than a one time acceptance of his gift? Once you are saved can he keep you saved?

Now you're probably wondering where this is coming from. I'll tell you. I had a very frustrating run in with a pentacostal lady who bases her salvation on her day to day life (she's been bad lately so she'll go to hell), on her ability to speak in tongues (was back in church 2 months before she got the "Holy Spirit" back), and on baptism (have to get baptised to wash away your sins). I just don't understand this, how could you possibly believe like this. These statements are nearly contradictory. If speaking in tongues is what saves you, then you don't need baptism too. If you get baptised once, then you sin, wouldn't you have to get baptised again after you sin again? I am glad that God has set us free in Christ Jesus.

Galatians 2:16Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.

Titus 3:5Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;

38For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, 39Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Hebrews 13:5 Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.

Romans 11:6And if by grace, then is it no more of works: otherwise grace is no more grace. But if it be of works, then is it no more grace: otherwise work is no more work.

II Timothy 1:9Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began,

Galatians 3:10For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse: for it is written, Cursed is every one that continueth not in all things which are written in the book of the law to do them.

Ephesians 2:8For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9Not of works, lest any man should boast.

I John 5:13These 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, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.

I mean it seems pretty clear from these scriptures that it is God's GRACE that saves us, not our works. He extends his grace to us when he extends the gift of eternal life through Jesus Christ. So, how do you find about how to receive this gift? I am posting below what Christians call "The Romans Road." Basically they call it that because you take a journey through the book of Romans that will tell you all you need to know about accepting the gift of Christ as your Savior.

(Taken from my church tract)

Would you like to know if you were to die today that you would go to heaven? YOU CAN!

Who is good?
Romans 3:10As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one:

Who has sinned?
Romans 3:23For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;

Where did sin come from?
Romans 5:12Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned:

What is God's price for sin?
Romans 6:23For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

What is our way out?
Romans 5:8But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.

Romans 10:13For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.

Romans 10:9That 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. 10For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. 11For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.

If you believe that Christ died for you, and if you are willing to confess Him before God and man, then pray this prayer believing in Christ to save you for your sins.

Dear Jesus, I know I am a sinner. I know that there is a price for my sin that I cannot pay. I realize that Jesus Christ paid that price for me through his death, burial and resurrection. I pray to accept Jesus as my Savior right now, believing that his precious blood has washed away all my sins. Please forgive me of my sins and take me to heaven to live with you Jesus some day when I die. In Jesus Christ's precious name and through power of his shed blood I pray. Amen.

If you prayed this prayer today, then I welcome you to the family of Christ. I know that trusting in Christ's perfect sacrifice is the only way to get to heaven and I want everyone to have the opportunity to accept Christ as their Savior. It was a wonderful night on June 19, 2002 that I made the decision to trust Christ and his shed blood for the remission of my sins. God has blessed every day. I've gone through trials and tribulations, but I can get through it all with Christ sharing my burden! God bless you all! Jo