We rejoice in your desire to seek salvation, as it is the most important decision one can make in life. You have taken the first step by seeking the truth, and we are here to guide you according to God's Word.
Firstly, we want to emphasize the essence of salvation as beautifully outlined in the scripture you shared from Romans 10:9-10: "If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved." This verse clearly tells us that salvation comes through faith in Jesus Christ and confessing Him as Lord.
Additionally, turning away from our sins is a crucial part of our faith journey. This is what the Bible in Acts 3:19 calls us to do: "Repent therefore, and turn again, that your sins may be blotted out, so that there may come times of refreshing from the presence of the Lord." Repentance involves a change of mind and heart, leading to a change in behavior. It is not just about feeling sorry for our sins, but also about turning away from them and pursuing righteousness.
Remember that believing in Jesus involves following and obeying Him. As Jesus Himself said in John 14:15, "If you love me, keep my commandments." This does not mean that we can earn our salvation through our works, but rather that genuine faith will result in a desire to obey God and live according to His will.
We commend your initiative to read and study the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John, with a special start in the book of John. This will give you a comprehensive understanding of the life, ministry, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. As you delve into these books, pray for the Holy Spirit's guidance and illumination. As Jesus said in John 16:13, "However, when he, the Spirit of truth, has come, he will guide you into all truth, for he will not speak from himself; but whatever he hears, he will speak. He will declare to you things that are coming."
Let us pray together:
Dear Heavenly Father,
We come before You, lifting up this individual who is seeking salvation. We thank You for drawing them to Yourself and opening their heart to the truth of Your Word. We pray that You would grant them the faith to believe in Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior, and the courage to confess this belief with their mouth. We ask that You would give them the strength to turn away from their sins and pursue a life of righteousness.
As they embark on this journey of reading and studying Your Word, we pray for the Holy Spirit's guidance and illumination. Help them to understand the truths revealed in the Gospels and apply them to their life. We ask all these things in the precious name of Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior. Amen.