Have you seen the bumper sticker that asks, "If being a Christian was a crime, would there be enough evidence to convict you?" It's a fair question, and one that brings us to the next step in changing your life for God: Kindness. Kindness is an outward sign of who you are on the inside. It is kindness that attracts people to you and, therefore, to Christ if you are a Christian. Without kindness, one should be slow to make the claim of being a Christian, indeed, without kindness it might be best if you simply didn't tell anyone that you are a Christian. With kindness, however, you can change not only your life, but the world!

Love is kind. I Corinthians 13:4, NIV

The next part of changing your life for God is salvation: If you are not saved and have no intention of doing those things that God's word reveals are necessary for salvation, then you are just wasting your time. As you approach this critical juncture of changing your life for God, you must have an absolute determination to meet every one of God's stipulations in His plan of salvation. Your feelings, inclinations, preferences, upbringing and ancestry have nothing to do with God's plan of salvation. Miss this point, and we might find ourselves missing heaven. For the next three weeks we will look at the things that save us as plainly stated in God's word. Omit any one of the elements and you endanger your soul. Are you saved? Are you sure?

I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life.    I John 5:13,NIV

The first element of salvation is grace. Grace is not the only part of salvation, (otherwise Christ would not have had to die and there would be no such thing as Hell), but it is arguably the most important. Grace is not earned, nor is it deserved. This is important for all who would follow Christ, because there is simply no way that we deserve to be called Christians, and there is simply no way that we deserve to be saved. Yet, the fact remains that God has extended His grace so that we can be in Heaven someday. Why not take advantage of God's saving grace? It will change your life!

It is by grace you have been saved, through faith - and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God - not by works, so that no one can boast. For we are all God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works... Ephesians 2:8-10, NIV

The next element of salvation is the sacrifice that was made by Jesus. God's word reveals that the wages of sin is death and that all have sinned. This puts us in a precarious position, does it not? But God, who so loved the world, gave His only son to take our place. That's what Jesus' sacrifice was all about: To pay the penalty for our sins. Our part, now, is to live for Him. Will you?

But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him. Romans 5:8-9, NIV