People can be emotionally drawn to Christ because of his unconditional love and forgiveness, his promise of a new life, or his gift of eternal life. While these emotions are good, responding to Christ’s forgiveness of our sins and gift of eternal life is about putting faith in who he is and his death on the cross, rather than in our emotions or anything else.

Which of the negative emotions listed below probably are not experienced during salvation?

Repentance is more than just feeling sorry for our sins.  Like the story of Jonah and the whale, true repentance means that we are serious about changing our mind, attitude, and behavior. It involves making a decision to change the focus and direction of our lives from our human sinfulness to seeking and following God and his ways.  

If someone asked you, “what does faith mean?” what would you say?

Your Choice

Read Ephesians 2:8-9 (NLT) silently then out loud.

(8) God saved you by his grace when you believed. And you can’t take credit for this; it is a gift from God. (9) Salvation is not a reward for the good things we have done, so none of us can boast about it.

What does “Salvation is a gift” mean?

The consequences of refusing the gift of salvation can be illustrated by the following refusal of a pardon.

In 1830, George Wilson was tried by the U.S. court in Philadelphia for robbery and murder and was sentenced to hang. President Andrew Jackson granted him a presidential pardon. But Wilson refused the pardon, insisting that it was not a pardon unless he accepted it. The question was brought before U.S. Supreme Court, and Chief Justice Marshall wrote the following decision: “A pardon is a piece of paper, the value of which depends upon its acceptance by the person implicated. It’s hardly to be supposed that one under the sentence of death would refuse to accept a pardon, but if it is refused, it is no pardon. George Wilson must hang,” And he was hanged.

The consequence of not accepting the gift of a pardon for George Wilson

What are 2 possible reasons that George Wilson did not accept the gift of a pardon?

The Gift

What if a person has not accepted the gift?

If a person does not respond to Christ by accepting his salvation and gift of eternal life, he or she must pay the penalty for his or her sins, spiritual death – eternal separation from God. (Romans 6:23)

Have you accepted the gift?

More Than Just the Facts…

Responding to Christ for salvation and the gift of eternal life, however, is more than just believing facts or information.

Read John 3:16 (NLT) silently and then out loud.

(16) “For God loved the world so much that he gave his one and only son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.”

In this verse, what does “believe in Christ” imply?”

Is it possible for a person to say that they believe in Christ but not truly be following him and his way? Why?

What is the #1 animal in Africa the kills the most people every year?

Watch this video by clicking on the video below.  When finished, close the YouTube window on phone/tablet or press backspace on a computer browser to return to P/elements.

What would you call a person who says they believe in Jesus but they don’t act like it?

A Relationship

Responding to who Christ is and what he has done for us is an expression of our will.

The Marriage Relationship Analogy

Saying “yes” in a marriage ceremony is an act of your will that acknowledges your commitment to the other person as your husband or wife. Similarly, saying “yes” to Jesus Christ is an act of your will that acknowledges your commitment to him as your Lord and Savior.

“Faith or trust in Christ is a personal response to who he is and what he has done for us when he died and rose again. Because he is the Lord of all, it involves our commitment to follow and obey him and his Word, in all that we think, say, and do.”

The Marriage Ceremony – The Picture of God’s Love For Us!

How is a person’s will involved when he or she first puts faith in Christ as one’s Lord and Savior?

For Our Next Lesson 6 – Five Truths about your Relationship with God as a Believer

Table Talk

At the dinner table ask your family, “What do you say to a person who says they are a believer, but don’t act like it?”