Faith First Media

What Must I Do To Be Saved?

by Matthew Elton

copyright 2010 Matthew Elton

matt@faithfirstmedia.com

• Do you consider yourself to be a good person?
• Have you ever told a lie, even a small one?
• Have you ever stolen, even something small?
• Have you ever used the Lord's name as a swear word?
• Have you ever committed murder?
• Have you ever been angry at someone else?  Jesus said that if you're angry with someone, you've already committed murder in your heart.

When we really look at ourselves honestly, we'll find that even though we consider ourselves to be "good" by human standards, we're really lying, cheating, thieving, blaspheming, murderers-at-heart when we're judged by God's perfect standards.  Even the "smallest" sin makes us guilty before God.  Eternal life is an infinite reward, so in order to deserve it, you would have to be infinitely good!  None of us are that perfect. We are all sinners, and the Bible teaches that the penalty for sin is death.

How then can anyone be saved?

There is still hope because Jesus loved us enough to die in our place.  Jesus took the punishment for our sins upon himself.  Therefore, the penalty for sin has already been paid.  To be saved and accepted into eternal life in the heaven on earth that is coming when Jesus returns, we need to accept the atonement that Jesus made for our sins when he sacrificed himself on the cross.  We then need to accept Jesus as our Lord, and follow his teachings.

You should read the gospels to see what Christ taught, but his teachings can be summed up in two great commandments:

1. Love God.
2. Love one another.

To love someone is to care about them more than you care about yourself.  Jesus showed us this love when he chose to sacrifice himself on the cross for our sakes - out of love for us.  Now we are called to be living sacrifices in service to God - not to die, since Jesus already did that for us, but to live for God, seeking his will for our lives, developing a personal relationship with God as he guides us through the transformative work of the Holy Spirit in our lives, and following God's plan for our lives, which may lead us through persecution but will ultimately lead us to eternal life.  As Christians, we live to show the world the same sacrificial, true love that Jesus showed to us, by helping those in need, and living peaceably with all.

If you accept Jesus as your Lord, and you follow his teachings, you will be saved.  You will enjoy eternal life in the age to come, and you will enjoy a richer, fuller, and more purpose-driven life in your present life, as the Holy Spirit works in your heart to guide you according to God's will, and as you develop a true relationship with God.

Remember: Throughout history there have been many different religious leaders who have taught many different things, but only Jesus paid the price for our sins.  This is why we must follow him.  Jesus is the only way to salvation because no other religious leader paid the price for our sins like Jesus did.

See Also:

• God Loves You!
• Why did Jesus die?
• Basic Christian Beliefs Database