1—Why did the Lord Jesus come into the world?

"This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners" (1 Timothy 1:15).

He came to save all people, but only those who confess that they are sinners, acknowledge that they need Him, and put their faith in Him will be saved.

2—Are there many sinners?

"All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God" (Romans 3:23).

"All" includes everybody and leaves no one out. Sin is simply disobedience to God. It includes any thought, word, or deed that falls short of God's perfect standard of holiness. God says that we are all sinners.

3—What is the state of the natural heart?

"The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked; Who can know it?" (Jeremiah 17:9).

The natural, unrenewed heart is a fountain of sin. Anger, pride, selfishness, envy, hatred, unbelief, and other such sins come out of a sinful heart. None of its actions or thoughts can please God. However, He will give in its place a pure, new heart to all who repent of their sin and receive Christ as Savior.

4—Is there a day of judgment for sin coming?

"God will bring every work into judgment, including every secret thing, whether good or evil" (Ecclesiastes 12:14).

"It is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment" (Hebrews 9:27).

To the believer, judgment for sin is past, for it fell upon Christ while He hung on the cross. To the unbeliever, it is a fearful day which awaits him at the Great White Throne of judgment.

5—Are people able to save themselves through their own efforts or good works?

"If Abraham was justified by works, he has something to boast about, but not before God. For what does the Scripture say? 'Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.' …To him who does not work but believes on Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is accounted for righteousness" (Romans 4:2,3,5).

"For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast" (Ephesians 2:8,9).

No. Salvation by self-effort is impossible. It is not God's way. The Bible tells us that all people are sinners. The most sincere efforts of religion or good works cannot wash even one sin away, much less change the sinner to be suited for God's presence. Receiving Christ alone by faith is the only way of salvation.

6—Is Jesus Christ the only Savior?

"Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved" (Acts 4:12).

"There is one God and one Mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus, who gave Himself a ransom for all" (1 Timothy 2:5,6).

There have been and are false Christs and false ways of salvation. They are of the devil. They are apart from God, and cannot bring the sinner to peace with God. It is not possible that there could be any other Mediator or Savior. "At the name of Jesus every knee [shall] bow" (Philippians 2:10).

7—What did God do with our sins?

"All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned, every one, to his own way; and the LORD has laid on Him [Jesus] the iniquity of us all" (Isaiah 53:6).

From the teaching of the Bible and from our own experience, our sinful state is clear. But see what this verse tells us. God took our sins and laid them on His sinless Son, that He by His death might forever remove them from us and from God's sight.

8—What did the Lord Jesus do with our sins?

"Who Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live for righteousness—by whose stripes you were healed" (1 Peter 2:24).

"As far as the east is from the west, So far has He removed our transgressions from us" (Psalm 103:12).

The Lord Jesus atoned for the believer's sins on the cross. Let us who have trusted Christ as Savior rejoice in being set free from them!

9—What was the price of our redemption?

"Knowing that you were not redeemed with corruptible things, like silver or gold … but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot" (1 Peter 1:18,19).

The Lord Jesus was God in flesh, the Lamb of God. The redemption of sinners required the shedding of His blood, and the giving of His life. It was the greatest possible price to pay. Why did He do it? Because of His great love.

10—Is God willing to forgive sin?

"You, Lord, are good, and ready to forgive, and abundant in mercy to all those who call upon You" (Psalm 86:5).

"Therefore let it be known to you, brethren, that through this Man is preached to you the forgiveness of sins; and by Him everyone who believes is justified from all things" (Acts 13:38,39).

How clear and definite Scripture is! The Son of God, crucified for sinners, is the God-given assurance that He will forgive sinners who come to Him.

11—How can one obtain forgiveness?

"Repent therefore and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out" (Acts 3:19).

"God … now commands all men everywhere to repent" (Acts 17:30).

Repentance is turning from our ways to God's way. Repentance is saying: "I was wrong. God is right." It is to have a change of mind about sin. "Unless you repent you will all likewise perish" (Luke 13:3).

12—How does the repentant soul approach God?

"Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest" (Matthew 11:28).

"If anyone thirsts, let him come to Me and drink. He who believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his heart will flow rivers of living water" (John 7:37,38).

"He who comes to Me shall never hunger, and he who believes in Me shall never thirst" (John 6:35).

Come unto Him and unburden your heart, just as you are, just where you are. The words "faith" and "believe" mean that you must have confidence in Christ to do what He promises. Remember that He died for you—He is worthy of your trust. Christ alone has the power to forgive sins, to cleanse the heart, and to justify the sinner. Trust Him completely.

13—How do those who are in heaven feel about repentant souls?

"The Lord is … not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance" (2 Peter 3:9).

"Likewise, I say to you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents" (Luke 15:10).

You are incredibly important to God. He does not want to see you perish. The angels in heaven rejoice over every sinner who is saved. If only lost sinners shared the same concern about their souls!

14—What is it that washes away our sins?

"The blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin" (1 John 1:7).

"To Him [Jesus Christ] who loved us and washed us from our sins in His own blood … be glory and dominion forever and ever" (Revelation 1:5,6).

All our iniquities were laid on the Lord Jesus at the cross. All were washed away by His blood. Though they were as scarlet or crimson (deep red dyes), no stain remains upon the believer (see Isaiah 1:18).

15—What is God's gift to us?

"The gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord" (Romans 6:23).

"God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son" (1 John 5:11).

God is very generous and kind. He offers to you the greatest of all gifts. At no cost to you, He will take your sins away and then give eternal life which death cannot touch. This is the life that is in the Lord Jesus, the ever-living One. When you have eternal life, you have Him; and having Him you have a share in His kingdom and glory.

16—Who may have eternal life?

"Everyone who sees the Son and believes in Him may have everlasting life" (John 6:40).

God uses several words with a wide meaning—all, any man, everyone, whosoever. They all mean the same thing, and they all include you. To "see" the Son is to recognize that He is the Redeemer and Savior of sinners. To "believe" on Him is to trust His word and humbly receive Him by faith.

17—How did God show His great love for sinners?

"God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life" (John 3:16).

"In this the love of God was manifested toward us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through Him" (1 John 4:9).

God could give no greater gift for man's redemption than His Son, nor could He show the greatness of His love in any other way than by giving Him.

18—Is there any commandment about believing?

"This is His commandment: that we should believe on the name of His Son Jesus Christ" (1 John 3:23).

Never say "No" to God. One can say "No" by willful disobedience, by disregarding what He says, or simply by delay. Obedience to this commandment will open the door to everlasting life.

19—What is the result of believing on the Lord Jesus as Savior?

"As many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name" (John 1:12).

"Most assuredly, I say to you, he who hears My word and believes in Him who sent Me has everlasting life, and shall not come into judgment, but has passed from death into life" (John 5:24).

Through faith in the Lord Jesus who died on the cross, we pass…
   out of slavery   into sonship,
   out of death   into life,
   out of bondage   into freedom,
   out of sin   into holiness,
   out of fear   into peace,
   out of darkness   into light,
   out of self   into Christ.

20—How does the Lord Jesus show His desire to be your Savior?

"Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me" (Revelation 3:20).

The Lord Jesus knocks as a king who must be obeyed, and as a friend who loves the one within. Your heart is the door, and your will is the key. If you unlock the door and say, "Come in, my Savior," He will enter never to leave.

21—Will the Lord Jesus receive anyone who comes to Him?

"The one who comes to Me I will by no means cast out" (John 6:37).

Coming to Him is your response to His knocking. None are refused. There are none too bad and none too good to come to Christ just as they are and be received with open arms.

22—What is the promise given to those who call upon the Lord?

"Whoever calls on the name of the LORD shall be saved" (Romans 10:13).

"Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved" (Acts 16:31).

God calls and many refuse to hear Him. But He never fails to hear and answer the one who calls upon Him in simple faith.

23—If we believe in the Lord should we keep the matter secret?

If you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved" (Romans 10:9).

If you were the child of a king, would you be ashamed to say so? If you have received Jesus, you have so many more reasons to proclaim that you are a child of God! For your own sake and for His, it is very important that you confess your faith. It will strengthen your faith and glorify Christ.

24—How will Christ hereafter honor His child who is not ashamed of Him?

"Whoever confesses Me before men, him I will also confess before My Father who is in heaven" (Matthew 10:32). (See also Luke 9:26.)

What a wonderful thing it will be to stand with the Lord Jesus, and in the presence of millions and millions of angels, to hear Him say, "This is My child." If you tell others of your faith in Him now He will not be ashamed of you then.

25—What power does a believer in Jesus have to obtain victory over sin?

"Reckon yourselves to be dead indeed to sin, but alive to God in Christ Jesus our Lord. Therefore do not let sin reign in your mortal body, that you should obey it in its lusts. And do not present your members as instruments of unrighteousness to sin, but present yourselves to God as being alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness to God. For sin shall not have dominion over you" (Romans 6:11-14).

The power and victory lie in Christ Jesus, to whom the believer is united by faith. Just as salvation—the result of Christ's victory over sin's penalty—is received by faith, so also does the believer walk by faith for daily victory over sin's power. Remember that God alone has power over sin, the devil, the human nature, death, and all things. A Christian must not think that he can live a Christian life by self-effort. "Do you not know … that Jesus Christ is in you?" (2 Corinthians 13:5). He rules and triumphs when His child trusts and obeys.

26—Does the Lord provide a guide for me, or do I have to find my way alone in the Christian life?

"He shall give His angels charge over you, to keep you in all your ways" (Psalm 91:11).

"I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will guide you with My eye" (Psalm 32:8).

"He Himself has said, 'I will never leave you nor forsake you.' So we may boldly say: 'The LORD is my helper'" (Hebrews 13:5,6).

"I will pray the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may abide with you forever—the Spirit of truth … for He dwells with you and will be in you" (John 14:16,17). (See also John 16:13.)

"Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light to my path" (Psalm 119:105).

God gives His angels as ministering spirits to protect and provide. He has given us His Word to reveal His mind. The Lord Jesus and the Holy Spirit dwell within the believer to warn, comfort, teach how to pray, reveal the Scriptures, and give victory over sin.

27—In what should the saved sinner glory?

"God forbid that I should boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world" (Galatians 6:14).

The cross on which the dying Savior hung sets forth the Person and the place where God's great love and the need of sinful man met. It was there that our sin was borne, the curse removed, spiritual foes overthrown, the work of redemption finished, and the way to freedom, life, and peace in Christ opened.

"Forbid it, Lord, that I should boast,
Save in the cross of Christ, my God."

28—Will the Lord allow a soul that trusts in Him to perish?

"My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me. And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand" (John 10:27,28).

He says that His follower shall never perish, and His word for it is enough. He is far stronger than all enemies. Neither devil nor man can separate the believing soul from Him.

29—When this life is over, where will He take His follower?

"In My Father's house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also" (John 14:2,3).

Those glorious mansions in the Father's house are for those who believe in Him. The Bible tells us that "Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor have entered into the heart of man the things which God has prepared for those who love Him" (1 Corinthians 2:9). Your true home is with the Lord there.

30—What is the way to heaven?

"Jesus said to him, 'I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me'" (John 14:6).

People do not just happen to get to heaven. There is only one way there, and that is Christ. The "way" is not a path or road, but a Person, and that Person is the Lord Jesus. You go to town by a road; you go to heaven by Him. If you have trusted Him, He abides in your heart, you are in Him, and you are "in the way."

31—What kind of a place is heaven?

"God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away" (Revelation 21:4).

"He showed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding from the throne of God and of the Lamb. In the middle of its street, and on either side of the river, was the tree of life, which bore twelve fruits, each tree yielding its fruit every month…. Blessed are those who do His commandments, that they may have the right to the tree of life, and may enter through the gates into the city" (Revelation 22:1,2,14).

Read the last two chapters of the Bible.

32—Are all invited to come?

"The Spirit and the bride say, 'Come!' And let him who hears say, 'Come!' And let him who thirsts come. Whoever desires, let him take the water of life freely" (Revelation 22:17).

Yes, all are earnestly invited to come, and God yearns over those who refuse. "Compel them to come in, that my house may be filled" (Luke 14:23).

33—Is there any special need of haste in deciding to receive Christ as Savior?

"Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation" (2 Corinthians 6:2).

"Today, if you will hear His voice: do not harden your hearts" (Psalm 95:7,8).

"Do not boast about tomorrow, for you do not know what a day may bring forth" (Proverbs 27:1).

Here are a few reasons why there should be no delay in receiving Christ. You have seen that God's Word says "Now" and "Today." Life is very uncertain (James 4:14). The value of your soul is incomparable (Mark 8:36,37). God may cease calling (Genesis 6:3). Christ may return at any moment to rapture all believers to Himself (1 Thessalonians 4:16,17).

34—What words can we use in praise of the Lord Jesus for so great a salvation?

"Worthy is the Lamb who was slain to receive power and riches and wisdom, and strength and honor and glory and blessing" (Revelation 5:12).

Innumerable millions sing that song of praise in heaven. Do you not wish to begin to sing it now, too? David said, "He has put a new song in my mouth—Praise to our God" (Psalm 40:3). Praise pleases God (Hebrews 13:15,16).

35—What warning must we heed?

"How shall we escape if we neglect so great a salvation?" (Hebrews 2:3).

Today is the day of grace when this great salvation may be obtained. No one should neglect to honor God by refusing to receive this great treasure which He has provided at such unspeakable cost to Himself. Salvation is not a thing but a Person, even Jesus Christ. Have you received Him, or are you neglecting and delaying? To neglect is to refuse Christ.

Do you know how to come to the Lord Jesus? Do you know what to say to Him? The prodigal son, after he had decided to return to his father's house, said in his heart, "I will arise and go to my father, and will say to him, 'Father, I have sinned against heaven and before you, and I am no longer worthy to be called your son.'" When he returned home, he was warmly greeted with open arms (Luke 15:11-24). Any humble and repenting soul coming to the heavenly Father will receive a similar welcome.

The penitent thief said, "Lord, remember me when You come into Your kingdom" (Luke 23:42).

The conscience-stricken publican said, "God, be merciful to me a sinner!" (Luke 18:13). Many have uttered that phrase as the true cry of their hearts and have had the burden of their sins rolled away.

"Just as I am, without one plea,
But that Thy blood was shed for me,
And that Thou bid'st me come to Thee,
   O Lamb of God, I come.

"Just as I am, Thou wilt receive,
Wilt welcome, pardon, cleanse, relieve,
Because Thy promise I believe.
   O Lamb of God, I come."

Scripture quotations from the NKJV.