What Must I Do to be Saved

Frequently Asked Questions About Christianity, Answered Honestly!

What Must I Do to Be Saved?
-by Tony Warren

Acts 16:30-31
"And brought them out, and said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved?
And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house."

his is what the Philippian jailer asked Paul after an earthquake, when all the captives bands were loosed at the prison. And the Apostle Paul responded asserting that he would be saved if he believed on the Lord Jesus Christ. But the question is, what does the act of true belief entail? We know that it involves more that merely verbally saying, "I believe" there is a Christ because even the devils believe (Mark 1:24; Luke 4:34), and yet obviously they are not saved. So what is this belief Paul speaks of that leads to salvation?

The answer to this question is best illustrated in John chapter eleven. There Christ vividly declared and demonstrated to Martha that life from the dead will only come through Him. In this example or pattern of life from the dead we observe that without the miraculous work of "Christ alone," Martha's brother Lazarus would remain a rotting lifeless corpse. He was dead and he laid in the grave able to do nothing about it. He couldn't will himself back to life and he couldn't rise up because he believed. He was dead able to do nothing on his own. The lesson here is that it is by the power of Christ Alone that this stinking rotting (John 11:39) lifeless corpse would rise up from the grave where he is able to walk with the living. And this is the pattern Christ gives for our resurrection from being dead in trespass and sin, to new life in Christ. It is only by the divine and wilful action of Christ that anyone is risen spiritually and made alive from the dead. Like Lazarus, they could not have any part whatsoever in their resurrection.

John 11:25-26

"Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live:
And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this?"

Christ uses this example of Lazarus to demonstrate that he alone has this power of resurrection. Through the resurrection of Christ, saints who have previously died in the flesh, are yet alive and reigning with Him through no power of their own. Likewise, the saints who are alive on this earth, having been raised up with from spiritual death in that same power of Christ, shall never die. And it is all because Christ Alone brought it about, being the promised Saviour who makes all this possible. Note that when Christ said I am the resurrection He asked Martha, "do you believe this?" Martha's reply is, "Yea, Lord: I believe that thou art the Christ, the Son of God, which should come into the world." Clearly her witness agrees with His, that He is the prophesied Saviour, the Resurrection, and the life that those who believe on Him shall never die. In other words, for her to believe what Christ had just stated about Himself, was to give assent that He was the prophesied Messiah, the power of God personified in the Saviour of Israel. In fact this was articulated in the very context:

John 11:21-22

"Then said Martha unto Jesus, Lord, if thou hadst been here, my brother had not died.
But I know, that even now, whatsoever thou wilt ask of God, God will give it thee."

This was a testimony to her belief and her faith. She believed that He was the deliverer out of Zion who came with the power of God to bring the resurrection and life. She had faith that He possessed the power of God that could raise men from the dead. And yet her understanding of just how, was imperfect. And in her is seen what real saving faith and true belief involves. It brings a trust and a faith that Christ is all that He says He is, namely, Our God and our deliverance from death.

Psalms 68:20

"He that is our God is the God of salvation; and unto GOD the Lord belong the issues from death."

This was the God of salvation, and besides Him there is no other Saviour (Isaiah 43:11; Hosea 13:4). God Himself has to be the deliverer because man cannot deliver himself. So when anyone comes to true belief in Christ, they should recognize that whatever the method or avenue of our coming to Christ, it was only by the Grace (unmerited favor) of God. It was not because of any inherent goodness, morality or virtue that we possess in ourselves, it was by the virtue of Christ Alone who came to tabernacle within us. Coming to true faith and belief is in coming to the realization that we are all sinners who are as spiritually dead in trespass and sin as Lazarus was physically dead. He lay decaying in the grave with no ability to rise up on his own, and yet he did rise up. By power of Christ Alone was he given the life and thus the ability to rise up. In like manner, we have transgressed the laws of God and are as spiritually dead and helpless as Lazarus. We all sin, and not one of our alleged good works will free us from accountability to God's laws for these actions. We should inherently know that we all deserve God's wrath of judgment for our transgressions. And in knowing our sinful selves we should know that it is merciful God "alone" who can deliver us from ourselves. When we are truly blessed with His Holy Spirit to understand this, it will bring a true humility before God. For only when we understand our total unworthiness, will we really understand the "Graceful" nature, love and precious treasure of true salvation.

Proverbs 22:4
"By humility and the fear of the LORD are riches, and honour, and life."

Recognition:
Until we can look at ourselves honestly (as a sinner), and our sin as the lawlessness that is keeping us from reconciliation with God, there is no way that we can get into the kingdom of heaven. The fact is, man must be made aware of a problem before he can correct it. You wouldn't call for a doctor unless you were aware that you were sick. And you wouldn't cry out for help from a lifeguard unless you were aware that you were drowning. Likewise, you will not "truly" call on the name of the Lord unless you are aware that you are a stinking spiritual corpse, in danger of judgment and in dire need of deliverance. All men, no matter from what race, nation, creed, or color, are sinners in need of a Saviour. The first step is recognition.

Romans 3:9-10

"What then? are we better than they? No, in no wise: for we have before proved both Jews and Gentiles, that they are all under sin;
As it is written, there is none righteous, no not one!"

You are not alone in your unrighteousness before God, for all mankind is in the exact same position. Whether it is the Priest, the Pastor or the Monk, we have all sinned (transgressed the laws of God) sometime, and thus are in need of being redeemed from the consequences thereof.

Romans 3:23

"for All have sinned and come short of the Glory of God."

It doesn't matter whether or not we feel like a sinner, God says that in "His eyes," we are all sinners. We may subconsciously think ourselves somewhat better than the next guy, but we (because of inherent pride) are egotistical, and thus deceive ourselves. The question is, are we willing to honestly accept God's appraisal of our spiritual condition, or will we continue to deceive ourselves thinking that we are really a good person, and that God knows this? We can lie to ourselves thinking God will not condemn us, but if we look at ourselves "honestly," we will see that God's appraisal of us is totally accurate. We are all hypocrites, we all sin, and we all have gone astray so that not one of us is good enough to be worthy of the Kingdom of Christ. When we begin to understand this, it could be a sign that God is beginning to work His Grace in our lives. It may be the evidence of God working within us, softening our obstinate heart to receive the truth.

Psalms 34:18

"The LORD is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit."

The Lord will save those who are of a broken, repentant or truly sorrowful Spirit. For it is written, He resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble (james 4:6). If we humbly look at ourselves for what we are, we will know that we deserve to be punished for our sins against God, and that it is only by His sovereign mercy that we will be delivered from the judgment that we so "rightfully" deserve.

Confession and Repentance:
Upon recognition of our spiritual condition, we are able to confess our sins, and God gives us repentance for our transgressions.

Acts 5:31

"Him hath God exalted with his right hand to be a Prince and a Saviour, for to give repentance to Israel, and forgiveness of sins."

2nd Timothy 2:25

In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth;"

Pray for repentance, for it is a gift from God. When Christ is moving in our lives, in recognition of our sin we will start to acknowledge from the heart that we cannot do anything to save ourselves. We are moved to pray earnestly that God would have mercy upon us. Because we understand that we will never get right with God by being righteous, or by being baptized, or by being confirmed, or by joining a Church, or by doing good works, or by living a generally moral life. For even what man may consider a good moral life is tainted by sin. And any sin at all is transgression against God. And it is our sin that keeps us separated from God. As long as we deny this, we are deceived and will not be in true repentance, but remain under condemnation of God.

1st John 1:8-9

"If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.
If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness."

If we truly desire truth, we will start with confession of our sins. And if we do confess our sins honestly before God (rather than man), in realization that He is our only hope for salvation, He is faithful to forgive and save us. Confessing to a Priest won't save us, and confessing to ourselves is merely a start. But honest confession to God about our spiritual bankruptcy and our need for His help will bring His forgiveness. He has made that promise, and is "Faithful" to keep it.

Romans 10:9

"that if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus Christ, and shall believe in thy heart that God has raised Him from the Dead, thou shalt be saved."

Again, what we saw in the resurrection of Lazarus, true belief "from the heart" in the resurrection in Christ. Who gave a corpse the heart to believe? By the power of God did that corpse come to life, his heart start beating again, and he was able to then rise up. God says "I will give you a new heart!" And He will. It starts with confession. Christians are not ashamed of Christ, but confess Him openly to others, while admitting their sins to God, who alone has the power to forgive them. Because we can only be forgiven by the God "whom we have sinned against." i.e., if our sin is against God, then God alone can forgive those sins.

Mark 2:7

"Why doth this man thus speak blasphemies? who can forgive sins but God only?"

These Scribes and Pharisees in this point had it right. But the problem was, they didn't understand that Jesus was God, thus He did have power to forgive sins! And by His resurrection from the dead, we know in our hearts that those of us, who were once dead in trespass and sins, have now in Christ been raised up to new life. Our repentance (sorrow for, and earnest desire to turn away from sin) can be an indication that we are being moved of God in the right direction.

Luke 13:3

"I tell you nay; but unless ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish."

Without recognition there is no acknowledgement of sin, and without acknowledgment of sin, there is no repentance. And without repentance there is no forgiveness. On the other hand, with acknowledgement comes the understanding that we were slaves to sin, and that only God could have set us free (John 8:34-36). We could not loose ourselves by our own (alleged) free will, or our own good works, or by an atonement on our part, penance or charities. The nature of man is to lean towards rationalizing away his own sin (compared with the sins of others) so that he appears somehow a better person in his own eyes. But we must never rationalize our sin in any fashion. The fear of the Lord is evidenced in confessing our sin "honestly" before God. Clearly we are guilty daily, and to confess this before God means that He is faithful and will cleanse us of it. Because what is there to forgive if we rationalize and make excuses in claiming that we have not sinned? Then our sins will remain unforgiven. Because asking for forgiveness for sins you don't think you've comitted makes going to God a hollow ceremony without any real substance. There must be true recognition, confession, and repentance. Not mere words or ceremony.

Seek and Believe:
After we have recognized, made confession and repented of our sins (God willing), we will be moved to belief that Christ alone can save us from the suffering the penalty for those sins. Becoming acceptable in God's sight cannot be earned by doing the best that we can, by being charitable, or by following the law or the ten commandments. There is only one way to be acceptable in God's sight (according to God), and that is to trust that the redemptive blood of Jesus Christ has cleansed us from all our sins. He alone can lift us from the depth despair to the height of the spiritual Kingdom of God. No religion, no minister, no organized sect or Priest, no Pope or system of doctrines, no penitence, ceremonies, pilgrimages or deeds of merit, are able to effectively take away anyone's sins before God. Salvation is found in no other than Christ (acts 4:12). He alone was made flesh to become as man, that He could carry our sins in his body, suffer and pay the penalty for those sins. Therefore, He alone holds the key to our salvation. He is the only one who can give man the freedom from the debt that he owes.

Acts 10:43

"To Him give all the Prophets witness, that through His name whosoever believeth in Him shall receive remission of sins."

By our Lord's death in the flesh, He has gives us relief from the wages or payment for sin. It was by the sacrifice of Himself that all this is made possible. Thus we must "believe" that He died as our sin bearer, for there is no other name under heaven whereby men may be Saved (Acts 4:12). When we seek the Lord with all our hearts, He promises that He shall be found of us.

Matthew 7:7-8

"Ask and it shall be given unto you; Seek, and ye shall find; Knock, and it shall be opened unto you,
for every one that asketh receiveth; and he that seeketh findeth, and to him that knocketh it shall be opened."

Jesus has made this faithful covenant commitment. The reason so many seek and do not find, is because they are not seeking the 'true Christ,' but are seeking to enter into salvation by an alternative way. A way where they can call themselves by His name (Christian), but where they don't have to live in Him and follow His Word. But that is not truly seeking the way, truth and light, that is merely seeking a name. To go our own way while professing His name is not truly "seeking" forgiveness in Christ. When we seek another Christ, it is because we seek to follow what is right in our own eyes, or are listening to the words of men as God. Saving faith is in surrender to God's Word, not being in an adversarial relationship to it. Many professing Christians look at God's law as a burden, and so they don't really want to surrender to it. But to those seeking Christ, His Word is the Rock from which flows their help, and not the burdensome stone that many see Him as. And this is manifested in our receiving the righteousness and truth of His Word. It most certainly is not found in the falling away from it (apostasia), or the separation from sound doctrine.

Luke 13:24

"Strive to enter in at the strait gate, for many, I say unto you, will Seek to enter in, and shall not be able."

There are many ways to seek, but there is but one way to seek and to find. i.e., there are men seeking the glory of being under a name, and then there are men seeking the forgiveness of the Lord. The truth that, "if we seek Him, He shall be found," is not just a lot of idle words, it is the unadulterated truth. Only those with a heart softened and made right by the divine Father, will believe unto salvation and seek the Lord of the Bible. Professing Christians who are yet carnal, will seek a lord of their own creation, rather than the God revealed in scripture. And that is the difference between saving faith unto belief, and faith without the work of Christ, which is dead. Belief is from the heart, it is not found in merely taking on a namesake.

Romans 10:10

"for with the heart man believeth unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto Salvation."

We confess Christ as the only Saviour, believe in our hearts that Jesus Christ is our Lord and 'personal' Saviour, and we lay all our burdens down at the throne of Grace. When we let Christ carry them, it is a confession that we understand that we are unable to. And God (who cannot lie) is faithful to forgive us all our sins, for these are His faithful promises. When we come to the Lord in humbleness of spirit, casting off the pride of this life, the Lord will abundantly pardon all that ask of Him. Pride comes before a fall, but the humble (Proverbs 16:18) of spirit is near unto God.

Psalms 69:32

"The humble shall see this, and be glad: and your heart shall live that seek God."

This is the Spirit of those who believe and truly come to seek God. Not built up (Psalms 34:18) with a haughty or arrogant spirit, but lowly and humble (as Christ our example) that we have a contrite heart. True Salvation is more than confession of faith with our lips, it is confession of faith with our Hearts and minds. This is the love of God wherein we believe in His Word, and use it as a foundation stone for our life. It is when His word becomes a central part of us that we never "want" to sin again, that we discover what seeking is.

Psalms 119:10-11

"With my whole heart have I sought Thee; O let me not wander from thy commandments,
Thy Word have I hid in my heart that I might not sin against thee"

This is repentance of the Heart. It is a belief in God's word that is evidenced by a ready love for it. we will have an earnest desire to do God's will and to keep, or guard from loss, the word of God. Someone who says they believe in God, and yet they forsake or will not follow or 'keep' His word, is just kidding themselves about being a Christian.

1st John 2:4

"He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him."

Keeping means to "hold close," or to "guard from loss." In other words, to preserve it that we can never fall away from the faith. Those who won't keep God's word, "the truth is not in them." Thus true belief is manifested in our earnest desire to obedience, and unbelief manifested in living in disobedience. The man of lawfulness versus the man of lawlessness.

Receive your Blessing:
Once God has given you grace to recognize your sin and you have repented, sought God, and believed on Him, then you will receive His blessing. An outward sign of the inward cleansing by the Holy Spirit is to be baptized in His name by water. So what does prevent you from receiving the blessing?

Acts 8:36

"And as they went on their way, they came unto a certain water: and the eunuch said, See, here is water; what doth hinder me to be baptized?"

Acts 10:48-49

"Can any man forbid Water, that these should not be baptized, which have received the Holy Ghost as well as we?
and he commanded them to be baptized in the name of the Lord. Then prayed they him to tarry certain days."

The baptism in water is to illustrate that you have cast your burdens upon Christ, and positionally as well as spiritually been buried with Him in His death, and raised up with Him in his Resurrection to new Life. By being baptized in water we signify that we understand this and have been cleansed of all our transgressions. Thus we are a new creation washed in His blood by His propitiation for our sins. The baptism in water is a token or sign of this true cleansing by the Spirit.

There are two types of receiving that is spoken of in Christian theology. One is Passive, and the other is Participatory. Participatory would be analogous to "someone holding a gift and offering it to you, and you got up from your chair and went over to him to accept it." That is an example of participatory. Passive would be analogous to "someone walking up to you with gift in hand, reaching down to open your hand, and then placing the gift there, with no effort on your part." i.e., in "Passive Receiving" you have done absolutely nothing to receive the gift. Note that in both cases, there is the receipt a gift, but only one of these gifts was totally free. The cost of the participatory gift was your "work" in getting up and going over to get it. So it wasn't totally free (unmerited, unconditional), you had to do (work) in order to receive it. By contrast, the "Passive Receipt" was unconditional, where you did absolutely nothing to merit it, and you spent no effort to get it. That is what "true" Grace is like. It is totally unmerited favor.

True Christianity is illustrated in our receiving the gift of God unconditionally, meaning that it is unearned by anything that we have done. This is the only true "Sovereign Grace" salvation plan. Grace, simply defined, is the unmerited favor of God. It is a gift that we didn't merit by any work of our own, but received by the work of Christ.

Thus when all of these things that we have been discussing begin to happen in someone's life, God is beginning to draw them to Himself. He is depositing His Grace upon them that they "receive the blessing." And our receiving Him is a work done by God, in us, that we are brought into subjection to His word. We can recognize God's working within us because His Spirit witnesses with our spirit that we are led of God. We give God all the credit for our coming, and all the Glory for our doing. As indeed Paul as our example clearly illustrated:

1st Corinthians 15:10

"But by the grace of God I am what I am: and his grace which was bestowed upon me was not in vain; but I laboured more abundantly than they all: yet not I, but the grace of God which was with me."

When we are blessed of God we will recognize our weakness and give God the Glory. In receiving we have surrendered our will to do "His will." Just as a child would humbly listen and obey the word of His father, so we will receive the word of our heavenly Father as a child. Not as an arrogant and prideful man who thinks he knows more than the teacher does about what is right and wrong. But in humility, as a child would trust and accept that what his father tells him is right, unconditionally.

Luke 18:17

"Verily I say unto you, whosoever shall not Receive the Kingdom of God as a little Child, shall in no wise enter therein."

Receiving is an outward sign of our accepting God's laws as our own. Those not moved of the Spirit may wrest or twist God's word, or rationalize them away, or deny their importance to us today, but he that receives His word in humbled. In rejecting the word of God men show they have ultimately denied Christ. Those who believe are the blessed of God, but the point is that no one will truly "believe" except God gives them faith that they will believe.

Hebrews 12:2

"Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God."

God both is the author or creator of the faith we have, but also will see it through to the finish (Philippians 1:6). But we should be careful to note that God's moving us to do good does not in any way take away man's responsibility for his sins, and his refusal to be obedient. It's just that when we are obedient, it is because of God. We must strive to humbly surrender our will to the will of God, and that means accepting what the word of God says, despite what we might believe is right in our own eyes. True salvation is born of this humble Spirit of surrender, where our will is changed to receive His word as authoritative and binding.

James 1:21

"Wherefore, lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted Word, which is able to Save your souls!"

Those who hear and truly receive are true Christians, born from above, who are secured or 'sealed' with the Holy Spirit of God. And they will bring forth the works of true salvation as an evidence of that regeneration. As the Bereans (Acts 17:11) who "received" the word with joy and brought forth much fruit, evidenced in their diligently searching out truth.

Mark 4:20

"And these are they which are sown on good ground, such as hear the Word, and receive it, and bring forth fruit, some thirtyfold, some sixty, and some an hundred."

How much fruit one brings forth is a variable, but we will bring forth fruit. And the fact that we receive God's word is one of the evidences that we are truly saved. Those not truly born from above will not have the softened heart to receive the love in truth (2nd Thessalonians 2:10), but will twist, distort and ignore it, to their own peril. Carnal man, of the flesh, of sin or lawlessness, doesn't have the Spirit that his will is to abide by God's law. He wants justification of himself in disobeying God's laws. But to all who truly receive it, to them He gives power to become the true children of God.

John 1:12

"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."

Conclusion: Know God and be Known of Him
So, what must we do to become saved? As Paul said to the Philippian jailer, "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house." The children of Israel died in the wilderness because of unbelief, all the time professing God. The Children of Israel rejected Christ because of unbelief, all the time professing they looked for a Messiah. They died in unbelief because their faith was not the product of Christ working within them. It wasn't belief unto receiving and obedience. It was faith, but it was not saving faith that can only come from the "work" of Christ. For if we truly believe, we will know God, and be known of Him.

In summary, simple confession of the lips is not the evidence of true salvation, just as simply professing to be a Christian doesn't make one a true Christian. For even the Devils confess that Christ is the Holy one of God (Mark 1:24; Luke 4:34), but this doesn't mean that they are saved. Most false gospels will make confession of Christ, and yet they are no closer to salvation than the devils that they serve. Anyone can say the sinners' prayer, and be baptized in water, and profess many works for Christ, but true salvation consists of being dead to sin, being baptized in the Spirit, and being regenerated unto New life. True salvation is becoming a new creation wherein we love God because He "first" loved us. It is when our worldly desires have been changed to an earnest desire is to do God's will. All men sin, but having an "earnest desire" to do the will of God is the key phrase that evidences true salvation. If we don't have that true desire to keep His law faithfully and to do His will, then we are deceiving ourselves. We need to examine ourselves, try ourselves, prove ourselves, that we will make our calling and election sure.

2nd Corinthians 13:5

"Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith, prove your own selves, know ye not your own selves how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates."

We should always examine or test ourselves by God's word to make sure that the evidence is there that we are truly sons of God. Everyone has some sin in their lives, whether in thought or in deed, because no one is perfect except God. But our earnest desire has to be to keep God's word faithfully, that we are not ignoring or casting aside His laws. Do we receive them, or do we turn to the right hand and to the left hand in order to avoid them? Do we make them our authority, or do we make the words of our teachers or Church leaders the authority? Are we the man of God, the man of lawfulness, or the man of Satan, the man of lawlessness? This is the test of true salvation. This is how we know that we are truly in Christ, are not lying to ourselves, because His Spirit will witness with ours. And the 'evidence' of this witnessing is that we keep his word, rather than it suffer loss as we forsake it. We will hide it in our hearts and bring it to remembrance (Psalms 119) that we remain faithful in times of trial. This is how we know that we truly know him, and are truly known of Him. The evidence (not the reason) is in our keeping (guarding from loss) the word of truth.

1st John 2:3-5

"And hereby we do know that we know Him, if we keep His commandments.
He that saith, I know Him, and keepeth not His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in Him.
But whoso keepeth his Word, in him verily is the Love of God perfected: Hereby know we that we are in Him"

The emphasis I make here particularly is on the word, "hereby!" In other words, God is demonstrating that "this is how" we know that we are really in Christ. This is how we know that we are really saved. It's not by evidence of a Holy feeling, it's not by the evidence of water baptism, and it's not by the evidence of following Church leaders, or speaking in tongues. It's by the evidence of our new hearts, manifested in our desire to keep God's word faithfully. It is the evidence seen in our love of God that we will seek to do his will, and not our own. Again, keeping God's word that we might not sin against Him is not the reason for our salvation, for that would be legalism. But keeping God's word is the 'evidence' of salvation. When we become truly saved, this sign is seen in our lives. Indeed, as Christ declared, "a tree is known by its fruits." If you are in a serious state of mind to faithfully follow God's word and keep his commandments, then you are the lawful man and have "evidence" of truly knowing Christ. And God declares in 1st John chapter 2 that without this evidence of reliance and guarding from loss "His word," man professing to know Christ is a liar! Those are strong words by God, for all to consider wisely.

What then must we do to be saved? We have to believe and know Christ as we are known of Him. And the only way we can find Christ is by being born of God, whereby we risen with Him and known of Him. And the evidence thereof is that as a new creation, we will receive His word as the ultimate authority for our lives. We will have a new found understanding of the phrase, "Thy will be done." Because having Christ come to dwell with us, He works within us to will and to do (Philippians 2:13). This is the evidence we are saved and our salvation is secure. It is because we keep God's word and believe with all our hearts that this is true.

What must we do to be saved? Recognize, Acknowledge, Confess, Repent, Believe, Seek, Receive, and Know. We don't grope along in darkness wondering about our salvation, nor do we take a wait and see attitude about our eternal destiny. God's sovereignty does not negate our responsibility. If we wait and do nothing, then we will someday have to stand before God and answer in paying the wages for our sins. If we surmise that there is plenty of time to get saved, we neglect that "tomorrow is promised to no one." If we don't believe in Hell, then we can't righteously call ourselves Christian, because that makes Christ a liar. Now is the day of salvation, and now is the acceptable time of the Lord. When Christ comes again, or if you should die before His return, it will be too late to do anything about your fate. God declared, "on the day of your salvation, I helped you." And in this truth we understand that this day is our present reality. Confess your sins, surrender, and make your commitment to Jesus Christ, and you will be made alive with Him both now, and in eternity. Through the witness of His Spirit with yours, it is revealed that it wasn't because of your goodness that you believed and became saved, but because of His goodness to call you to believe, unto salvation.

1st John 5:13

"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 believe on the Son of God."

Make your calling and election sure, seek God, and you will know that it is ultimately God who was seeking you. Draw near to Him and understand that it is ultimately God who was drawing you near to Him. Seek to have new life and know that it was ultimately His life that was calling you to new life in Him. Only then will you know that God initiated the love in you.

1st John 4:19

"We love him, because he first loved us."

The testimony of the Spirit is in humbly receiving that you didn't choose God, you were in fact, Chosen of God. God's Sovereign Grace will overwhelm you, a great Blessing that in wisdom you understand that it is what God did in you that caused you to hear. Just as Paul's cry of his labor, that it was, "not I, but the Lord which dwelleth within me." So we will come to understand these truths of his calling and authoring our faith. What must you do to become saved? Trust in the lord and seek Him while He may be found, and then will you know that He sought you. And He called you. And He Chose you. And He worked within you for everything that is good.

Philippians 2:13

"For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure."

No need for you to carry heavy burdens, lay all those burdens down at the feet of the cross, and let Christ lift them for you. When you stumble and fall, let Christ carry you, as this is the only way to finish such a spiritual race. For by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified in His sight (Galatians 2:16). We can only be justified by the faith of Christ, through His work. And all things converge ultimately for good for those who have the love of God in them. For God has proposed it.

Romans 8:28

"And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose."

May the Lord, who is Gracious and merciful above all, guide you into the truth of His Most Holy Word, and draw you to understand that, in all things, "His will be done."

Amen!

Peace,

Copyright 1998 Tony Warren
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Created 7/23/98 / Last Modified 12/3/99
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