R U Saved?

What Must I Do to Be Saved?

In the book of Acts men asked this all-important question – one that God is willing to answer for you. What must I do to be saved?

Do you ever think about heaven? Would you consider yourself a good enough person to get there? Would you want to know for sure if you’re good enough? Would you mind answering a few questions to see if that’s true?

Have you ever heard of the Ten Commandments? How many can you name? Have you kept them all? Have you ever told a lie? If so, then what does that make you? “A sinner,” you might say. However, more specifically than that, you’d be a liar. How many lies does it take to be a liar? Only one, right?

Have you ever stolen anything? Regardless of value? Even if you were just a kid. Perhaps you’ve wasted time at work – a form of stealing wages from your employer. If so, what does that make you? “A thief.” Right, a thief.

Have you ever taken God’s name in vain – dropped a hammer on your foot; or cursed Him when you were angry. Think about it for a moment… If you’ve done that then you’ve blasphemed the God who gave you life. Instead of using a 4-letter word to express disgust you’ve chosen to use the name of the God who gave you life. God says he will not hold anyone guiltless who take His name in vain. This is a very serious commandment.

How are you doing so far? One out of three? Three out of three? Let’s consider another one. Jesus said, “you have heard that it was said of old, ‘you shall not commit’, but I say to you, whoever looks at a woman to lust after her has already committed adultery with her in their heart.” Have you ever lusted after someone? It doesn’t have to be the actual act; merely the fantasy of it in your mind makes you guilty.

Now how are you doing? Still one out of three? Or perhaps four out of four? If so, then you’ve admitted that you’re a lying, thieving, blasphemous, adulterer at heart, and you’ve got to face God on judgment day. By that standard, the Ten Commandments, if you died tonight and stood before God would you be innocent or guilty? Would you go to heaven or hell?

If you say you’ll got to hell does that concern you? It should – because it’s appointed unto man once to die and then the judgment (Acts 17:30-31). The wages of sin is death – eternal death in the lake of fire (Ro 6:23, Rev 20:15). “Man,” you say, “That’s awfully extreme!” it is! Consider – you’ve sinned against a holy, perfect, and righteous God. He is light and in Him in no darkness at all (1 John 1:5).

Every time you sin, and every day you delay, you’re storing up God’s wrath for your day of judgment (Ro 2:5). God is keeping a record of every thought, word, and deed you make. One day you’ll have to give an account for everything, including every idle thought. It’s a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.

You might say, “But God is a good and loving God!” Yes, He is, and because He is good, He must punish sin. If you die in your sins you’ll spend eternity in the lake of fire; eternal torment without end. But that’s not God’s will for you – He’s not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance! (2 Peter 3:9) God is a good and loving God!

“But if I’m a sinner and destined for hell and God must punish sin, then how could I ever make it to heaven?” Ah! I’ve got good news for you! The punishment for sin has already been paid! “How?”, you ask. Well, two thousand years ago God came down to earth in Jesus Christ and lived the only perfect, sinless life. He suffered, died, and was buried. He took God’s wrath for your sin and mine, and nailed it to the cross! We broke God’s law but Jesus paid the fine! Three days later He was resurrected and He now sits on the throne at the right hand of God! That’s what makes Jesus the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world!

“Did He pay for my sin too?” Yes! If you believe on His name; trust in Him alone by faith alone as your Savior and Lord, and repent of your sin – that means to turn away from it and turn towards God – then God will save you! (John 5:24, Luke 13:3, Ro 10:9-10) You need to put on the Lord Jesus Christ – as sure as you would trust a parachute on a plane to save you if you had to jump.

You can’t save yourself; one sin outweighs all your good works. God cannot be bribed by good works to be saved (Gal 2:22). If so then Jesus dies in vain! You can’t add anything to save you either because Jesus said on the cross, “It is finished!” (John 19:30) meaning the entire payment for the sins of the whole world was paid for. It’s now up to you to believe on the Lord Jesus Christ through faith and repentance (John 14:6, Acts 4:12). Then God will save you – you’ll be justified in His court by Jesus’ shed blood for your sin. God is rich in mercy, desiring to save you! (Eph 2:4, 8-9) You’ll be redeemed; washed by the Holy Spirit; and God will make you a new creature in Christ!

If you have any questions please let us know. If you have prayed this with a broken and contrite heart (Ps 51:1-12, 17) please contact us; we’d be glad to know!

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