In the time of the Apostles, the Philippian jailer asked this simple question: “What must I do to be saved? (Acts 16:30) ” This question still needs to be asked and answered if we are to escape the bonds of empty religion and enter into an eternal relationship with the One True God of all Creation. But note the answer given: “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shalt be saved…(Acts 16:31)“. The problem is that this very simple message has been taken, added on to or changed so that its Truth is no longer clear. Even the concept of belief has been corrupted. James 2:19 points out a difference between saving faith and a faith that does not save when it says, “Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble.” So what is one to believe and how can we be sure that we are saved? The following is a Biblical explanation that follows from the question of “What must I do to be saved?”
Accept. The first thing is to accept what the Bible says about me. Romans 3:23 says,”All have sinned and come short of the glory of God“. And further on Romans 6:23 adds, “The wages of sin is death…” I must accept that I am not the exception to the rule. The Bible states that I have sin, I do not measure up to God’s standards and I face eternal separation from God in hell. To make matters worse, there is nothing I can do on my own to change this. Even my efforts to balance out my sin with good works are bound for failure according to Isaiah 64:6 which says, “But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away.” I cannot hide even in the idea that I am no worse than others. I must accept the fact that I am a sinner separated from the God Who loves me.
Believe. Simple. For God so loved the world that he gave His only begotten Son that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish but have everlasting life (John 3:16) There was nothing I could do, but something that God did. The last part of Romans 6:26 tells us that while sin leads to death, “…The gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.“ 1 Corinthians 15 explains the Gospel message as the Truth that the Lord Jesus Christ died to pay for our sins and was resurrected on the third day. To be saved I must believe that what Jesus did on the Cross was sufficient for me.
Confess. To confess is to receive Jesus into my life. John 1:12 says, “But as many as received Him to them gave He power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on His Name.“ To be saved, I must believe what Jesus did for me and then receive Him into my life. Romans 10:9,10 says it this way: “That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath 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.” To receive Jesus is to turn from sin. It means I recognize His Lordship over me. He is God I am not.
The Truth of the Gospel is so simple that so many miss it. There is nothing I can do or ever have done that keeps me from being saved if I will only believe in the Lord Jesus Christ. Romans 10:13 is convincing: “Whosoever shall call on the Name of the Lord shall be saved.“ I don’t have to wonder if I am saved or not. What God has said is conclusive. He has done it all. I only need to receive. If you have never done so, will you do so now? In your own words simply admit that you are in need of salvation, believe that Jesus died for your sins and receive Him into your heart. When you invite the living Savior into your life, God has promised to do as He has said. Don’t go on feelings alone. Receive and believe. Trust that God is faithful and will save you to the uttermost.