How to save a life, part 2

So you and Ryan have been friends for awhile. He's seen you at your best AND your worst. He was there the day you found out your aunt had cancer and were completely sidelined. He was there when you broke your leg and couldn't play baseball for the rest of the season. He was there when you got your acceptance letter to college AND found out they were offering you a scholarship. And through all of that, Ryan has begun to recognize that faith—the fact that you're a Christian—isn't just something you say you believe. It's a part of your everyday life. It makes a difference in the big and small things.

And lately, he's begun to ask questions about that faith. You've talked about what you believe very honestly and openly. And now it's time for you to share the plan of salvation and show Ryan what Scripture says about being saved, and you don't know where to start. Here's a good acronym to guide your discussion: FAITH.

What do you understand it takes for a person to go to heaven? Consider how the Bible answers this question. It is a matter of FAITH.

F is for Forgiveness
We cannot have eternal life and heaven without God’s forgiveness. (Read Eph. 1:7a.)

A is for Available
Forgiveness is available.
It is—available for all. (Read John 3:16.)
But not automatic. (Read Matt. 7:21a.)

I is for Impossible
It is impossible for God to allow sin into heaven.
—Because of who He is: God is loving and just.
His judgment is against sin. (Read Jas. 2:13a.)
—Because of who we are: Every person is a sinner.
(Read Rom. 3:23.)

But how can a sinful person enter heaven, when
God allows no sin?

T is for Turn
Turn means repent.
Turn from something—sin and self. (Read Luke 13:3b.)
Turn to Someone; trust Christ only. (Read Rom. 10:9.)

H is for Heaven
Heaven is eternal life.
Here . . . (Read John 10:10b.) Hereafter . . . (Read John 14:3.)
How can a person have God’s forgiveness, heaven
and eternal life, and Jesus as personal Savior and Lord?
By trusting in Christ and asking Him for forgiveness.

Take the step of faith described by another meaning of FAITH: Forsaking All I Trust Him.