How to be Saved - According to God's Word
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"Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation." (II Corinthians 6:2)

The first thing you must do is understand that you have a need to be saved. Since we are told in God’s word that all have sinned and have fallen short of God’s glory, this means that you have sinned. Sin is the transgression of the law. This sin separates you from God. The Bible says that you cannot work your way into God’s favor through good works, but that you must believe in what has been accomplished for you through the atoning death of Jesus Christ. Just as in the Old Testament the sacrifice of animals was an atonement for sin, now, under God’s New Covenant, Jesus has made the one, final sacrifice to take away the sins of those who come to Him in faith.

Salvation is not through any denomination or religious organization. Salvation is not the result of your good works, for the sins you have committed in the past have already separated you from God. Salvation is freely given through believing and following Jesus, the Messiah. All have sinned and have fallen short of the glory of God. Without faith in Jesus, you will die in your sins.

Jesus said, "Blessed is he who hungers and thirsts after righteousness." Do you hunger and thirst after righteousness? If not, you will never know the truth, and you will never see God.

The Bible says that it is "...not by works of righteousness which we have done [sacraments, good works, church attendance, giving money to the poor, etc.], but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost" (Titus 3:5). This, of course, negates any additions to the salvation plan of God.

Ephesians 2:8-10 states "For by grace are you saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God, not of works, lest any man should boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them."

It is very clear: we are saved unto good works, but not by good works. We should do good works, which show that we have faith, but good works are not what saves us. No work of man can save him. Only the completed work of Christ on the cross can blot out sins. According to Hebrews 10:10, Jesus died ONCE for all. "In this way we are sanctified (made holy) through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all." If you are trusting in anything but the completed work of Christ for your salvation, you are deceived.

This freely-given salvation through the death and resurrection of Jesus is not a license to live in sin, as some practice. A drunken young woman in front of a tavern once told me, "But God will forgive me if I sin." I told her that willful sin was a dangerous place to tread. Paul the apostle said that he himself was formerly a blasphemer, and a persecutor, and injurious, but said that he obtained mercy, because he did it "ignorantly in unbelief" (1st Timothy 1:13). Repentance (turning away from all known sin) and good works are mandatory for the believer, because they are the outward signs of what that person believes to be true. John said "He that says, ‘I know him,’ but does not keep his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him." (1st John 2:4)

Jesus said, "These people draw near unto me with their mouths, and they honor me with their lips; but their hearts are far from me. But in vain do they worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men." (Matthew 15:8,9)

So, it is possible for a person to think that they are a Christian, but if they have never had the new spiritual birth, they are still lost. Believers should take care to heed the words of Jesus. As believers we should pray, worship, love one another, study the Word of God, and have genuine concern for those as yet unsaved. If these things are not present, then that person’s salvation may be in question.

Do you want eternal life? Turn from sin. Make Jesus your Lord. Believe God.

"...if thou shall confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus, and shall believe in your heart that God has raised him from the dead, you shall be saved."

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