The Gospel, Plainly
What salvation actually means
Scripture says that every one of us has sinned and fallen short of God's glory, and that the wages of sin is death. That is the honest diagnosis, and no amount of good behaviour afterwards settles a debt already owed.
“For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.”Romans 6:23 (KJV)
What God offers is not a wage but a gift. Jesus Christ, the Son of God, lived without sin, died in our place, and rose again. The exchange is complete: He took what was ours so that we could receive what is His.
Receiving that gift involves two things that Scripture always keeps together. Repentance is turning from sin and turning to God. Faith is trusting Christ, confessing Him as Lord, and believing that God raised Him from the dead.
“That 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.”Romans 10:9 (KJV)
Notice what is not required. No payment. No membership. No probation period in which you prove yourself first. He knocks, and the handle of that door is on your side.