 What must I do to be saved?
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Let us begin with the true fact that belief in our Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of God, is a necessary component for salvation.
Jesus said it Himself,
“…everyone who believes in Him may have eternal life.
For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life…Whoever believes in Him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son.”
~John 3:15-18
With belief as a requirement for salvation, the question that remains is what constitutes true belief. Anyone can say they believe in Christ to "hedge their bets" so to speak. But, genuine belief has a signature! It is called a repentant heart. Repentance is important. Jesus, Himself, in the Word of God, commands that repentance be preached to all nations.
Let’s look at just a sampling of the many Scripture readings that confirm the necessity for repentance as a requirement for salvation:
"If we claim to have fellowship with him yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live by the truth" ~1 John 1:6
"He who conceals his sins does not prosper, but whoever confesses and renounces them finds mercy.” ~Proverbs 28:13
"I tell you, no! But unless you repent, you too will all perish." ~Luke 13:3
"So then, God has granted even the Gentiles repentance unto life.” ~Acts 11:18
"…turn to God in repentance and have faith in our Lord Jesus Christ." ~Acts 20:21
"God is not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance" ~2 Peter 3:9
“Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit." ~Acts 2:38
"Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out." ~Acts 3:19
Repent of your sins is clearly stated in the Word of God as you can see. It is a mark of a true believer. By repenting of your sins, you are "following" the Lord Jesus Christ's words. Your reward in heaven for your good works is given account after your conversion to true faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. Prior to true belief marked by repentance, one’s good deeds are burned up like chaff in the unquenchable fire.
The Bible tells us that there are those that "believe" and yet are not saved. ~Luke 8:13
They are false converts. They will be turned away at the gates of heaven.
True Christians believe in Jesus Christ, they embrace the Word of God who is Jesus Christ, Himself, they follow its precepts, and each true believer actually has a unique relationship with Jesus, Himself. ~John 1:1-2
The warnings in Scripture are very clear, yet surprisingly, not widely spoken of.
If there is no repentance, there is no salvation. To merely say that one believes is not enough. Again, anyone can "hedge their bets" and simply say they believe. Remember,
Claiming something and actually living it are two entirely different things.
Jesus said,
To say that one believes is not enough. Remember the fallen angels "believe" in Jesus Christ; that does not mean that they follow Him. Your actions are a measure of your TRUE belief! Now, remember you cannot get into heaven on any actions or good deeds you may have done. You do not get into heaven because you did something. You get into heaven because you believe in His Son. Repentance is a by-product of your true faith and your allegiance to Christ! There are many who think that they are saved, yet are not TRUE Christians. They are not saved. They do not "know Him". They do not "follow Him". They do not have a relationship with Him. Some sit in our pews even today!
Knowing Him is knowing the Word of God which is the bread of heaven. Repentance is necessary for the remission of sins. There is no forgiveness of sins without a repentant heart; we are still under His wrath. We cannot be forgiven for our sins unless we repent. We are dead in our trespasses and sins and until we seek repentance, we cannot be made alive in Christ. The Word of God does not pull any punches on this subject.
God will not forgive a sinner on the basis that he is sorry. God will only release us from the demands for eternal justice on the basis that someone else paid our fine. Two thousand years ago, Jesus Christ died on the cross to pay for our sins. The debt has been paid in full. All who repent and trust in Him receive forgiveness of sins. Their case is dismissed on the basis of His suffering death.
Why is repentance so important?
Because, God's children want to please their Father out of LOVE. Think of sinning as a slap in the face of the Lord or a lash from a scourging like that received by Christ by the Roman soldiers. When you think of it that way, then those that LOVE God want nothing to do with "hurting" their Father. And when we do something that would not be approved of by our Father otherwise known as sin, we should have genuine sorrow and want to not do it again.
That is what repenting for your sins is.
Repentance is to turn AWAY from sin. Recognize sin and to turn away from it and RUN the other way! We turn from sin to the Savior. How do you repent, which is a necessity for salvation, if you do not know what sins to repent of?
Confessing your sins to God is a component of repentance, yet many people do not confess their sins. You cannot just say forgive me of my sins. Which sins are we talking about? How do people confess their sins to God, and repent, if they do not know what sins they have committed? How can you TURN AWAY FROM SIN if you really do not know what you have done that was sinful. How can a man repent if he does not know what he is repenting for? They do not know what the sins are.
See if you can answer these questions:
Can you name 10 Beers?
Can you name 10 sports' teams?
Now ask yourself;..................... Can I name the 10 Commandments?
Which one of these questions can you answer? Why is it that most people can hold in their amazing brain rather insignificant information like naming beers or sports' teams, and yet, they can't remember what the sins are (i.e. the 10 Commandments)?
As a true believer learning the 10 Commandments is imperative to your salvation and witnessing ability.
The simple act of just knowing them is not what it is about. It is to know what the Lord hates and making it what you hate as well. Place them in your heart so that you can recognize sin and when you fall prey to temptation and fall short of the glory of God you can seek forgiveness. You will, then, be a much better witness for the Lord as you interact with the people that God has placed in your path. One of the biggest complaints about Christians and the church is the hypocrisy that exists. Why is that?
Because, so often people in the church buildings are, in fact, false Christians. They go to church simply as a way to "hedge their bets" and perform an act of worship without having to change their lives at all. They think they are doing enough, yet are not. Remember again,
If you asked someone to name the 10 Commandments amongst church patrons you would be surprised at how many cannot name the sins. The very standard by which ALL mankind will be judged (God's standard), and they cannot even name them?
You CANNOT look at yourself through man's standard.
We will NOT be judged by man's standard. We all fall short of the glory of God. The Law brings about the knowlege of sin. If we do not know the Law, then we do not have the knowledge of sin.
Ask yourself, “Am I a good person?”
Go through the 10 Commandments.
Have you EVER told a lie? What does that make you?”
Have you EVER stolen anything; a pencil; EVER? the value is irrelevant to God; the intent is what's important. What does that make you?.....A thief.
Have you ever used the Lord’s name in vain? As a curse word? That would make you a blasphemer. God says that all blasphemers will take their part in the lake of fire.
We have only gone over 3 of the 10 Commandments! How have you done so far?
God says that if we break one of the Laws of God, we have broken them all and shall not see the glory of heaven. Only repentance thru the shed blood of our Lord Jesus Christ shall we be saved from the wrath of God.
Our good works are not a measure of our salvation,
but our LOVE for one another and for the Lord. Seek God's heart and receive the Spirit. We are not bound by the Law, yet we
should not indulge in the sinful nature that we battle everyday. Sin is contrary to the Spirit.
Do not trust in your own righteousness. Trust in the grace of God thru Jesus Christ and the Word of God.
Watch this short video clip below;
Learn the Word of God. Know the Law by which ALL MANKIND will be judged by.
Please, take advantage of the resources available at this website.
Become familiar with the Word of God. Become familiar with Jesus Christ which is the Word. The value of gaining that knowledge is priceless!
Knowledge takes away the fear. Grow in your knowledge and your relationship with the Lord today!
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