Sin is what has caused us to be lost and to stand in need of salvation (Isaiah 59:1-2). What is sin? I John 3:4 tells us that sin is the transgression of God’s law. In other words, when we fail to do what God has commanded or do what God has forbidden, then we have sinned. If we die with sin that has not been repented of, then we will be separated from God for all eternity (II Thessalonians 1:7-9). Paul tells us that all have sinned (Romans 3:23); therefore, we all are in need of being saved from sin. How do we accomplish this? What can man do to obtain the forgiveness of sin? Or, is there anything man can do?

Within a person’s own power, there is nothing they can do to save themselves. Paul, writing to Gentiles, wrote, “That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world” (Ephesians 2:12). It should be noted, however, we are not hopelessly lost in sin; there is “Good News.” The “Good News” is the Gospel of Jesus Christ that is the power of God unto salvation (Romans 1:16-17). If a person is going to obtain the forgiveness of his or her sins, then it MUST be done according to what God has commanded.

Notice the contrast between Ephesians 2:12 and verse 13: “But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ.” Dear friends, Paul has shown us the greatest bridge ever built. It spans the gap caused by sin; it was built by the blood of Jesus Christ. Only by crossing this bridge can one be reconciled to God, or be put back into a right relationship with Him. Let us then ask, “What is required to cross this bridge?”

First, we must believe, or have FAITH this bridge will support us and take us where we need to go. Jesus said, “…for if ye believe not that I am he, ye shall die in your sins” (John 8:24). The Hebrew’s writer tells of the necessity of faith in Hebrews 11:6. Faith is not a leap into the dark; it is based on the adequate evidence of the Word of God (compare Romans 10:17). It should be noted the Bible teaches it is NOT by one’s faith ALONE that we obtain salvation (carefully read James 2:14-26). It is by our faith that we take the first step—or by obeying the commands Jesus has given (Hebrews 5:9).

The first step on this bridge is to REPENT of our sins (Luke 13:3,5). Repentance is the turning or changing of direction. As long as we are living by our own will (living as we choose), then we are going the wrong way and need to change our direction. Repentance is having the determination to stop the intentional practice of sin and begin striving to live according to the will of God as revealed in the New Testament. Repentance is a command that must be obeyed (Acts 17:30).

The next step is to obey Jesus’ command to CONFESS Him before others as the Christ (Matthew 10:32-33). There were those in the days of Jesus who believed, but they were not willing to confess (John 12:42). If one is not willing to confess Jesus, they cannot obtain salvation.

Some believe Romans 10:9-10 teach that salvation comes at the moment one has faith and confesses Jesus as the Son of God. But it should be noted that the verse says, “For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.” The word “unto” is very important. It indicated movement in a forward direction. When one believes, they are moving toward salvation, but they are not there yet. Let us notice the final step to obtain the salvation of one’s past sins.

Jesus commanded for one to be BAPTIZED (Mark 16:16). Many try to teach that baptism has nothing to do with salvation. This is not what Jesus has taught. Jesus said, “He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned” (Mark 16:16). Peter, speaking by the guidance of the Holy Spirit, commanded, “Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost” (Acts 2:38).

Peter said that it was baptism that saves us (I Peter 3:21). How is it that baptism saves us? The Bible teaches that we are washed from our sins in the blood of Jesus. It should be well noted that it is the blood, NOT the water that saves! How do we contact Jesus’ blood? Jesus shed His blood in His death (John 19:34). The Bible teaches that when we are baptized, we are baptized into His death (Romans 6:3-4). When a person obeys Jesus command to be baptized, they contact His blood, which washes them from their sins and they have crossed the greatest bridge—the bridge to the forgiveness of their past sins. The new life has just begun (II Corinthians 5:17). If, having obeyed these commands as Jesus gave them, you remain faithful to Him in your daily life, then you can have eternal salvation (Revelation 2:10).