What Must I Do to Be Saved?

THERE COMES A TIME when most of us find ourselves asking, either out loud or in our own minds, "Why am I here? What happens when we die? Is there life after death?" I couldn't imagine a topic that is more important or more urgent than this. What awaits me after death? Where will I spend eternity? Is there something I need to do in order to have salvation? Do I have to earn it? What, indeed, must I do to be saved?

Two thousand years ago a jailer in the city of Philippi, Greece, asked the Apostle Paul this very question. The jailer was in mortal danger and, there, in those dramatic moments, he recognized the imminence of God's judgment upon him; because of his sins, he could not escape the consequences. What was he to do?

The Apostle Paul's answer is amazing: "Believe in the Lord Jesus and you will be saved!" (Acts 16:30,31). It may have come as a surprise to the jailer to learn that in order to be saved, he did not have to do anything. In fact, he had only to believe in what another, Jesus Christ, had already accomplished in behalf of sinners for their salvation.

Sadly, most men and women today would not accept the Apostle Paul's answer. Many believe that more must be done than to simply believe by grace through faith in Jesus Christ to be saved (Ephesians 2:8). But let's consider the following three important truths contained in God's Word, the Holy Bible.

1. Man cannot save himself

The Bible states that sin entered the world through the disobedience of the first man, Adam, and from that moment the perfect relationship man had with God was broken. Sin became part of humanity's DNA and as a result every descendant of Adam is spiritually dead and unable to resist sin. Although we delude ourselves into thinking that we are free to choose our own actions, the truth of the matter is that in our fallen state, not one of us is capable of choosing righteousness.

The Bible clearly states that "all have sinned" (Romans 3:23) and that "everyone who practices sin is a slave to sin" (John 8:34).

Jesus, referring to the more "worthy" religious men of his day, told the people, "Unless your righteousness exceeds that of the scribes and Pharisees, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven" (Matthew 5:20). And to his disciples he said, "You therefore must be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect" (Matthew 5:48). In actuality, not one of us is perfect. Who then can go to heaven? Who can ever be saved?

2. Jesus Christ died and rose again to save sinners

The consequence of sin, the price of sin, or as the Bible best states it, "The wages of sin is death". (Romans 6:23a). This death is not only physical, but it is, above all, eternal, in hell, the ultimate separation from God.

The only way out of this seemingly hopeless situation would be for someone else to suffer the judgment that we deserve. For forgiveness to be made available, it was necessary for a blameless substitute to die in our place: one who was morally perfect and therefore did not have to suffer the consequences of His own transgressions. And indeed, so it was!

The death of Christ is God's solution! Jesus, free from all guilt, gave up His life to pay for our sins. If we believe in Him, His death will be imputed to us. We will no longer be condemned under the law because Jesus' perfect sacrifice has been accepted for our justification before God. The Bible states: "The blood of Jesus...cleanses us from all sin" (1 John 1:7). Only if we believe in his sacrifice can we be cleansed from the terrible guilt and condemnation brought upon us because of our sin. Jesus said, "Whoever believes in me has eternal life" (John 3:36).

The great problem of sin that separates us from God and keeps us from entering heaven has but one solution: the sacrifice of Jesus who gave up His own life to die in the believer's place.

If you are weary and burdened by the weight of your sins, know that He is lovingly reaching out His hand to offer you forgiveness and eternal life. He says, "Come to me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest" (Matthew 11:28).

3. Whoever puts his faith in Jesus Christ will be saved

The Bible promises that all who believe in Christ will be saved. Jesus said, ”Whoever comes to me I will never cast out" (John 6:37). There were two thieves crucified next to Jesus that day at Calvary as they, too, had been condemned to death. One of them, after repenting of his sins and declaring his faith in Jesus, was told by Him, ”Today you will be with me in paradise" (Luke 23:43).

The last chapter of the Bible ends with Jesus Christ's invitation to come to Him and receive the gift that opens the gates of paradise: "Whoever is thirsty, let him come; whoever wishes, let him take the gift of the water of life" (Revelation 22:17).

What then must you do to be saved?

As for the question, "Which works should I do to be saved?" The answer is absolutely none!

There are no rosaries to pray, no pilgrimages to make, no vows or pledges to fulfill that can open the gates of heaven for you. However, the Bible is clear about this: it takes two basic things for you to receive the free and eternal salvation offered by Christ.

FIRST: You must acknowledge your guilt for your sins, repent, that is turn away from sin, and confess them to God. "Repent therefore and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out" (Acts 3:19). "If we say that we are without sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness" (1 John 1:8,9).

SECOND: You must believe that Jesus, suffering the righteous wrath of God for our sins, accomplished all that was necessary for our salvation. "If you have confessed Jesus as Lord with your mouth and believed with your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved" (Romans 10:9).

If you want to have Jesus Christ as your Savior and be assured of your salvation, you must surrender to the Lordship of Christ and obey what He says in His Word, the Holy Bible.

We encourage you to surrender to Him in faith today, wherever you are, just as the jailer did two thousand years ago (Acts 16:34). You can pray like this, "Lord God, I know I am a sinner and I understand that Jesus died to pay for my sins. Please forgive me and make me your child so that I can live in heaven with you for eternity. I entrust my whole life to you, without reservation. Guide me and teach me to do your will. Amen."

If you would like to receive more information on the Christian life, if you have any questions, or if you would like to receive a free Bible course, write to us at: veritaevangelica@gmail.com

We will answer you.

God bless you.