The Love of God - God's Plan

Once you have taken those steps toward God and are changed and re-united with Him, He will no longer remember your sins which had separated you from Him. This is your Gift from Him. You have a new spirit within you, and become one of His children.

"For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast." (Ephesians 2:8-9) Salvation is a gift of God by His grace through faith in God and cannot be earned in any way. No amount of "good works" will permit man to attain salvation. Salvation is purely a work of God, not man.

"As far as the east is from the west, So far has He removed our transgressions from us." (Psalms 103:12) God is merciful. Through forgiveness, He completely separates our sins from us and He no longer holds them against us.

"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new." (2 Corinthians 5:17) After receiving Christ, we are given a new nature and a new heart by the Holy Spirit. This new life which He gives us means that we also have new attitudes and actions. Our old nature of slavery to sin is removed and is replaced with the righteousness of Christ.

"But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name." (John 1:12) Only through receiving Jesus as your Savior and your Lord, do you have the right to be one of God's children. Then, you no longer live in darkness. We must receive Him because He is the sacrifice for our sins.

"In Him you also trusted, after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in whom also, having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, to the praise of His glory." (Ephesians 1:13) When we receive Jesus, we are set apart for God and made holy by the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit of promise is the down-payment since we were purchased for a price by Jesus on the cross and we belong to God.