According to the Christian faith, a person can be put right with God through
grace, which is God's unearned favor, received through
faith in
Jesus Christ and his atoning sacrifice. Here's a breakdown of the key elements:
* The Problem: Sin and Separation: Christianity teaches that all humans are born with a sinful nature, have committed sinful acts, and are therefore separated from God, who is perfectly holy. This separation leads to spiritual death and eternal judgment.
* God's Solution: Jesus Christ: God sent his son, Jesus Christ, to earth. Jesus lived a perfect, sinless life and then voluntarily died on the cross as a sacrifice for the sins of humanity. His death is understood as a substitutionary atonement, meaning he took the punishment that humanity deserved.
* Grace and Faith:
* Grace: Salvation is entirely a gift from God (Ephesians 2:8-9). It cannot be earned through good works or religious observance. It's an expression of God's love and mercy.
* Faith: To receive this gift of grace, a person must exercise faith in Jesus Christ. This means trusting in him, relying on him, and accepting him as Lord and Savior. Faith is not just intellectual assent, but a heartfelt belief that leads to a transformed life.
* Repentance: Often associated with faith, repentance involves turning away from sin and turning towards God. It's a change of heart and mind that leads to a change in behavior. It acknowledges one's sinfulness and a desire to live a life pleasing to God.
* Confession and Belief: Romans 10:9 states, "If you declare with your mouth, 'Jesus is Lord,' and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved." This highlights the importance of publicly acknowledging Jesus as Lord and believing in his resurrection.
* The Result: Justification and New Life: When a person places their faith in Jesus Christ, they are:
* Justified: Declared righteous in God's sight. Their sins are forgiven, and they are no longer condemned.
* Born Again/Regenerated: Given a new spiritual life through the Holy Spirit. They become a new creation in Christ (2 Corinthians 5:17).
* Adopted into God's Family: Becoming children of God and heirs to eternal life.
* Sanctification (Ongoing Process): Being "put right" with God is not a one-time event, but also an ongoing process called sanctification. This is the process of becoming more like Christ through the power of the Holy Spirit. It involves living a life of obedience to God's word, prayer, fellowship with other believers, and service to others.
In summary, a person is put right with God by:
1. Recognizing their sinfulness and separation from God.
2. Understanding that Jesus Christ died to pay the penalty for their sins.
3. Repenting of their sins and turning to God.
4. Placing their faith in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior.
5. Receiving the gift of God's grace and experiencing the new life offered through the Holy Spirit.
6. Living a life of obedience and growing in their relationship with God.
Different Christian denominations may emphasize different aspects of this process, but the core belief remains the same: salvation is by grace through faith in Jesus Christ.