The Bible is clear that all are sinners. It is sin that separates us from God. Romans 3:23 states, "For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God." You and I are first of all sinners by nature --at enmity toward God; we are in the state--absence of righteousness--of sin; and finally we actually commit sin. So the fact is that God is holy and cannot have sin in His presence. Therefore, everyone MUST be saved because we are sinners by nature, by state, and by action.
2. CAN WE SAVED OURSELVES? Some think that they can be saved by doing good works such as keeping the 10 commandments, or first and great commandment--"Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind." The second is like it, "Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself." (Matthew 22:37, 39).
Others think they can be saved by keeping the golden rule, "Therefore all things whatsoever ye would that men should do to you, do ye even so to them; for this is the law and the prophets." (Matthew 7:12). You can see that the golden rule is NOT quoted as it was given by Jesus. Actually, this rule is a variation of the second great commandment.
This writer submits to you, have you ever REALLY kept the second great commandment, let alone the first? Well, you may say, "I try." Trying is not enough; you need to keep it, 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Impossible? Yes, it is. That is why you cannot save yourself. IT IS NOT OF WORKS! (Ephesians 2:9)
3. ONLY JESUS CHRIST CAN SAVE US. Christ said, "I am the door; by Me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out and find pasture." (John 10:9). Again, He said, "I am the way, the truth, and the life; no man cometh unto the Father, BUT BY ME." (John 14:6-- caps and bold type for emphasis) Earlier Romans 3:23 was quoted . The next verse says, "Being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus." Many verses show that salvation comes through Jesus Christ.
4. WHAT MUST I DO TO BE SAVED? "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house." (Acts 16:31). Again, "That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God has raised Him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation." (Romans 10:9, 10). Verse 13 plainly states, "For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved." This, of course, simply means if you call on Him to saved you believing that He will do so, you will be saved.
Therefore, all you have to do is to believe. Believing is simply trusting what God has done for you and/or taking God at His word. "But as many as received Him, to them gave He power [authority] to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on His name; which were born [it requires a birth which is commonly called the "new birth" to distinguish it from physical birth], not of blood [your parentage makes no difference], nor of the will of the flesh [this shows you can not do it], nor of the will of man [no other person can do it for you], but of God [God and only God can save]." (John 1:12, 13). Trust Him, and He WILL save you.
5. HOW CAN I KNOW I AM SAVED? If you have trusted Jesus Christ as your own personal Savior, you can be sure you are saved and will be with God for all eternity. This is known as the security of the believer. Logically, this is true; if you are "born of God" (John 1:13), then you are His child. You now carry His name (even as you carry the name of your human father). Scripturally, this is true; "These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may KNOW that ye have eternal life, and that ye may [continue to] believe on the name of the Son of God." (Bold type and caps are for emphasis.) As someone has put: "God said it; I believe it; that settles it." Furthermore, you now have eternal life; note that it is eternal; therefore, it is not here today and gone tomorrow.
Thus, you may be sure that you are saved.
6. WHAT SHOULD I DO NOW? Get into your Bible and read it. This writer suggests you start with the Gospel of John, for it is easy to read, and for the most part easy to understand. Spend time each day talking to your Heavenly Father. Be thankful! Get into a good Bible believing church. Don't go to the nearest church because it is near. Check it out! The Holy Spirit Who now indwells you will direct you.
