Our treasured sense of control and independence…is threatened by God’s desire to be given access to the helm of our lives. Our self-thoughts naturally recoil from such surrender. Afterall, “this is my life, and I choose to live it my way.” So, in each of us, what begins as inherited sin invariably becomes sin by choice and practice. How far short we have all fallen from the original perfect union designed for us by our Creator. Adam and Eve’s decision to step out of God’s will and to act independently of Him, catapulted our race into a state of spiritual death or separation. In the same way as physical death is separation of the soul from the body, spiritual death is separation of the human spirit from God. "For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord." Romans 6:23

Satan really thought he had won…our arch enemy vaunted himself to his Maker, “I will ascend into heaven, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God, I will ascend above the heights of the clouds, and I will be like the most High”. Isaiah 14:13-14. After successfully enticing Adam and Eve from their dependance upon their Heavenly Father, he gained ground… becoming “the prince of the power of the air”.  When Jesus Christ was being tempted, flogged and nailed to the cross, a divine rescue plan was unfolding. Satan thought that he was snuffing out the life of God’s perfect Son! While all along he was facilitating the very means of redemption for mankind! Jesus was not a “victim”! He willingly and unflinchingly gave Himself up to His captors and endured the horror and agony of crucifixion through to its bitter end. He did so in complete confidence that His Father was going to resurrect Him from the grave. His priceless sacrifice would become the only acceptable and sufficient covering for every sin ever committed. In this cosmic battle, God’s brilliant strategy satisfied, in one judicial transaction, both the eternal justice of God and His incomprehensible love for the individual hearts and souls of his creation. “For he has made him to be sin for us, Who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in Him.” 2 Corinthians 5:21. “He that believes on the Son has everlasting life, and he that believes not the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abides upon him.” John 3:36.

Why does this sacrifice not unilaterally save every soul…if the bill for sin was paid in full at the cross…? God did not want robots, programmed to behave according to preset responses. He has placed within us, volition -the ability to choose. Therefore, the all-sufficient covering of Jesus’ blood cannot be applied to my debt until I come to God, asking and receiving His gift for myself. This transaction takes place as an act of faith. "...without faith it is impossible to please God: for he that comes to Him, must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him." Hebrews 11:6. In grappling with these truths and the unimaginable lengths to which the triune God has gone, to reintroduce union and intimacy with Himself, we must ask ourselves, “…how shall we escape if we neglect so great a salvation…?” Hebrews 2:3

There is no 'formula' prayer for salvation… God listens to the heart behind the words. It may be something like this..."Heavenly Father, I am a sinner and eternally lost apart from You! I don't fully understand this, but I choose in faith to open my heart and life to You. Because Jesus took my place and died upon the cross to satisfy Your righteousness, I now repent and turn away from my sin. I’m asking for Your forgiveness and eternal salvation. Please take the reins of my life as Lord, control and direct my decisions from now on. Thank You for this eternal gift, for Your love for me and for saving my soul."  Romans 10:9-10