Article - Are You Saved?
Are you saved? Someone may ask, “Saved from what”? The Ebola Virus? No. The threat of terror attacks? Not completely. Are you saved from the destructive affects of sin? Sin is much worse than any kind of threat we have in our world today. Sin brings spiritual death to those who are involved in it (Romans 6:23). All of us at one time or another have succumbed to the temptation of sin (Romans 3:23). As a result of sin, we have become separated from God (Isaiah 59:1-2). Yet, in the midst of this ugly picture of sin and death there is great hope. Jesus came to seek and save the lost (Luke 19:10). Jesus died so that all could go to Heaven (2 Corinthians 8:9). The question each of us must answer is: “Are you saved from your sins through Jesus Christ?” How does one become a part of the saved? What does the Bible say I must do to be saved?
You must believe in Jesus Christ as your Savior. Jesus said, “Unless you believe that I am He, you will surely die in your sins” (John 8:24). John records for us, “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten son that whosoever believes in him should not perish but have everlasting life” (John 3:16). While belief is essential to salvation, it is not all one must do to be saved. James teaches us this when he says, “We see then that a man is justified by works and not by faith alone” (James 2:24). Just believing in the existence of God and the ability of Jesus to save will never save anyone. The demons believe and tremble, yet they are not saved (James 2:19).
You must repent of your sins. Our Lord said, “Unless you repent you shall all likewise perish” (Luke 13:3). Peter commanded, “Repent and be converted that your sins may be blotted out…” (Acts 3:19). Repentance defined from Scripture is a changed will that leads to a changed way. John teaches us that repentance is a changed will when he says, “bring forth fruits worthy of repentance…” (Luke 3:8). Paul further teaches that repentance demands a changed way of life when he says Christians are to “walk in newness of life” (Romans 6:4). Thus, to truly repent I must not only turn away from that which is wrong I must also embrace that which is right.
You must confess Jesus as your Lord. The Savior said, “Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven. But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father which is in heaven” (Matthew 10:32-33). Paul also expressed the need to confess Jesus when he said, “With the heart one believes unto righteousness and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation” (Romans 10:10).
You must be baptized for the remission of your sins. When Jesus sent his disciples out to preach the gospel He told them, “He that believes and is baptized will be saved, he that believes not will be condemned” (Mark 16:16). Peter said, “…baptism does now also save us…” (1 Peter 3:21). On the Day of Pentecost the crowd was told to “repent and be be baptized for the remission of your sins…” (Acts 2:38). Ananias commanded Saul to “arise and be baptized and wash away your sins calling on the Lord’s name” (Acts 22:16).
Friend, I ask you again, “Are you saved?” If not, THE GOSPEL OF CHRIST we would love to help you become a child of God. We would be glad to have a Bible study with you. If you want to learn more about God’s plan of salvation, please contact us by email, phone or postal mail. May each of us look to our own salvation experience and see if it fits the Biblical plan of salvation!
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