This is undoubtedly the MOST important question we can EVER be asked, but sadly, the answer is also the MOST misunderstood. The problem with this question, no matter how it is asked, is threefold.
- We are ignorant about it or don't think it's a big deal
- We tend to complicate the answer
- We think we have to do something to be saved
Lets look at point #1 and clarify it.
Why must I be saved? We are created beings. This means that whether you believe it or not, there is a Creator (Jn.1:1-5). The problem is that we have been separated from our Creator because of sin (Isa.59:2; Mic.3:4). You see, God is holy, and because we have sin in our nature (Rom.3:23; Rom.3:10-12), we are not. Because of sin, we cannot survive in God's holiness (Ex.33:20; Ps.5:4; 1Jn.4:12; 1Tim.6:16) where God wants us to be (Ps.145:18; Jn.14:23.
Many who are ignorant of this do not realize that when we die, without the salvation that God freely offers through the sacrifice of His Son, we will remain separated from God eternally. The ultimate destiny of this separation is the lake of fire that was created for Satan and the fallen angels (Matt.25:41,46; 2 Pet.2:4, 9; Rev.20:10-15; Rev.21:8).). This is not something to ignore! This is a BIG deal!
Lets look at point #2 and simplify it.
Salvation is not in a title you hide behind. It is not by living a good life, or becoming a church member, or even saying you are a Christian. These titles do NOT save you! How about this. You might say that you believe in God and made Jesus the Lord of your life. Does this save you? No! This does not save you either. How we live, the company we keep, where we fellowship, the people we know and the confessions we make have absolutely NOTHING to do with salvation. These are fabrications of truth that has added complications and misunderstanding to the simplicity of the gospel of grace.
Lets look at point #3 and debunk it.
STOP, and take note of the following statement. "There is NOTHING you can DO by your own means, faculty or strength that can save you!" Did you get that? Right, now read it again!
Too many people, when asked if they are saved, say things like, "I’m doing the best I can." or "I walked down the church aisle and prayed the sinner’s prayer." or "I’ve been baptized." or "I keep the commandments." These are just some example of how people think they have to DO something to merit salvation. Sadly, this is more common than not. Salvation cannot be merited by your actions, and it cannot be bought or bartered. It might be hard to comprehend, but salvation is a gift that is given to you freely. All that is necessary to obtain it is to receive it.
So the question is, how does one receive it? Salvation is wrapped up in the message of the gospel of grace. It is by simply understanding and believing in the good news that God saves you by the blood sacrifice of His own Son, Jesus Christ.
Salvation is what Christ has already done for us on the cross and that you have trusted Christ’s shed blood on the cross as payment for your sins. The gospel of our salvation (Eph.1:13) is clearly stated by the apostle Paul:
1 Cor.15:3-4 For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; 4 And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures.
Col.1:14 In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins:
In order to be saved, we must stop trusting ourselves and trust in the cross-work of Jesus Christ on our behalf! Knowing that we are sinners and that Christ died for us, we should respond by placing our faith in His death (for our sin payment), burial, and resurrection (for our justification and right standing before God).
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For more detail and scriptures on the gospel of our salvation, continue reading.
God made provision for our salvation by sending His one and only Son, Jesus Christ to the earth (John 3:16). Jesus lived a perfect life with no sin. He was crucified, bearing the weight of the entire world's sins upon Himself. He was raised from the dead three days later (Mk.15-16). When Jesus was crucified, He took the punishment for our sins upon Him (2 Cor.17-21). Jesus' sacrifice made it possible for us to be forgiven and come into right standing with God: "But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God" Jn.1:12. "He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life" 1 Jn.5:12. In His grace and mercy, God has made a way for us to be saved; all that is require of you is to believe this gospel message and receive that grace by faith,
Eph.2:8-9 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.
When we place our faith in Jesus and His sacrifice for us, we are saved (Act.16:31; Eph.2:8-9). Jesus is the only way to God: "I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me" John 14:6. Before salvation we are spiritually dead, and through Jesus we become spiritually alive, and are regenerated in our spirit. Instead of being condemned, we are forgiven: "For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. Whoever believes in him is not condemned" Jn.3:17-18. There is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus (Rom.8:1). This is the miracle of salvation!
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An addendum to point #3 to clarify “what one must do to get saved”, based on reaction and comments to this post. Thanks to those who asked about it. 🙌
After hearing the gospel, it is the choice to believe it that is the doing part. The gospel does not save one simply because you heard it. No, one must respond to the gospel by making a conscious decision to believe it, based on the conviction that comes from the Spirit of God in the gospel, (Rom.1:16).
I see salvation happing in this manner:
Someone hears the effective presentation of the grace gospel. The gospel, at some point after hearing it, will sprout truth and start to affect the heart. It is at this point when conviction (by the Holy Spirit) occurs. This conviction of truth requires a decision. If the person ignores the conviction it disappears, and that moment of clarity (truth) is lost. Through either the up’s and down’s of life circumstances, or a repeat of hearing or recalling the gospel message, this person is convicted again of the truth of the cross. The Holy Spirit produces another moment of conviction (truth) in the heart. It is yet another moment of opportunity for this person to choose life (or death!). The point is, as you can see, there is an action present here. The person remains lost if they do not respond to this conviction and call out (verbally or silently) to God, saying that they choose to believe that it is in the cross-work of Christ that they find their only hope. If they make the choice to believe the good news, they are instantly and immediately saved, and the Holy Spirit seals them unto salvation.
So, this is the ONLY work a person needs to do. The work of choosing to believe in Christ. It is certainly not automatic. It requires a conscious choice. Thereafter, it becomes the work of God to lead them into an increasing life of sanctification, all the while the person making the choice to change based on the guidance and inspiration of the Spirt who leads them into righteousness and commitment to God.
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