How to be Saved

GetOnTheRightPath.com

5 Minutes That Can Change Your Life
Have You Thought About Your Future?
Church of Christ, Melba, Idaho

       For millions of people around the world, life is filled with an endless stream of activities. Our time is often saturated with employment, family life, education and recreation. Many of us seem to follow the same robotic cycle of living: Birth, life, and that inevitable appointment with death.

       But what about the life beyond, the afterlife?

       The afterlife is a reality which billions who have lived before us are presently experiencing, and it is a reality we must all one day undoubtedly experience ourselves.

       But in the rush of daily living, many people have little time to contemplate the actual purpose of their lives - or what they are destined for in the life to come...

Eternal Life

       Almost 2,000 years ago, Jesus Christ made a stunning announcement that continues to echo across the annals of history, a promise that provides true hope and meaning to millions who have embraced it. Jesus said:

"...God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life."

       Jesus Christ willingly gave His life on a cross so your sins could be forgiven and you could have a realistic hope of life beyond the grave. No matter what your nationality, ethnicity, gender, or financial status - eternal life is available to you. Regardless of your past mistakes, you can have eternal life...

       ...If you believe in Jesus Christ.

Joy In Hope

       Life is a struggle for billions of people around the world. Countless millions are filled with suffering, pain, and hardship. Some are facing difficult moments and difficult decisions.

       But regardless of your present situation, you can have joy and true hope in knowing that you have the real promise of a joyful existence beyond this world...

       ...If you believe in Jesus Christ.

       Jesus died on the cross, as a sacrifice to God for the sins of humanity, and was resurrected from the dead, so that each of us can experience eternal life.

What If You Choose to Not Believe in Jesus?

       Unfortunately, there is also a dark side to Christ's promise of life after death. Many people will fail to obtain eternal life. Jesus said:

"For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God's one and only Son."

The reality is this: Anyone who does not believe in Jesus will be condemned by God in the afterlife, on the final day, on the Great day of Judgment when all men's lives will be examined by God. Jesus said:

"I told you that you would die in your sins; if you do not believe that I am [the one I claim to be], you will indeed die in your sins."

Millions in our world today will die in their sins...they will die without faith in Jesus Christ, without a real hope of eternal life. The Bible says:

"Salvation is found in no one else [than Jesus Christ], for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved."

What Does it Mean to Believe in Jesus?

It is important to understand that BELIEVING in Jesus means much more that merely acknowledging that Jesus was a good man who lived in past generations. Believing in Jesus means making Him Lord over your entire life: over your decisions and over your actions. The Bible Says:

"...if you confess with your mouth, 'Jesus is Lord,' and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved."

Making Jesus the Lord of your life means giving Him control of your life. It means sincerely trusting in Him, having a sincere faith in Him. It means, obeying Him. Jesus said:

"Not everyone who says to me, `Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven."

What is the Will of God?

In the everyday course of human life, millions today remain oblivious to the requirements of eternal life. Many are unaware that God fully expects us to obey His will, and that He requires long term changes in our behavior. God also expects us to continually grow in obedience to His will. Jesus said:

"...unless you repent, you...will all perish."

The Bible says:

"The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise...He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance."

"Repenting" means to commit to no longer live in disobedience to God, to be sincerely remorseful of past sins, and to incorporate in our lives the positive actions of God's will.

After BELIEVING in Jesus as your Lord and REPENTING of your past mistakes...Next, you must verbally CONFESS before others that you believe in Jesus Christ as the Son of God and that you have truly made Him Lord of your life. The Bible says:

"...if you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved."

Jesus said:

"...whoever acknowledges me before men, the Son of Man will also acknowledge him before the angels of God. But he who disowns me before men will be disowned before the angels of God."

Finally, you must be BAPTIZED, or immersed in water. Immersion symbolizes the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. This demonstrates your true humility to God in your willingness to obey what He commands. The Bible says:

"Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit."

It is at the point of baptism that your sins are officially removed by God. The Bible says:

"And now what are you waiting for...be baptized and wash your sins away, calling on [the name of Jesus]."

After taking these initial steps, you must commit to gaining an ever-increasing knowledge of God's will, and ever grow in your commitment and obedience to Jesus Christ. The Bible says:

"...grow in the...knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ."

"Aim for perfection..."

"Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect."

What Changes Does God Expect of You?

Enjoying the eternal gift of salvation also depends on your continual, obedient faith in Christ, which means growing as a Christian from spiritual childhood to maturity. The Bible says:

…make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness; and to godliness, brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love…For if you do these things, you will never fall, and you will receive a rich welcome into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
(2 Peter 1:5-11)

…grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
(2 Peter 3:18)

Do not be afraid of what you are about to suffer. I tell you, the devil will put some of you in prison to test you, and you will suffer persecution for ten days. Be faithful, even to the point of death, and I will give you the crown of life.
(Revelation 2:10)

[Jesus speaking]…If you love me, you will obey what I command. (John 14:15)

You must also habitually worship God just as He commanded. Jesus said:

God is spirit, and his worshipers must worship in spirit and in truth. (John 4:24)

Worshiping God 'in spirit' means worshiping God with the right attitude, or spirit of mind. In other words, sincere worship. Worshiping God 'in truth' means according to the truth of His requirements, found in His word, the New Testament. Additionally, Christians are commanded to not neglect the assembling of the saints. The Bible says:

Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another - and all the more as you see the Day approaching.
(Hebrews 10:25)

To find out if there are Christians meeting in your area who are committed to worshiping in spirit and in truth, please contact us right away.

So, grow in your faith by growing in knowledge and obedience to God's will. You MUST do this to keep from falling, in which case you will lose your hope of eternal life.

A Final Day of Judgment is Coming - Be Prepared!

The Bible says:

"For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive what is due him for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad."

Jesus said:

"...whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be condemned; he has crossed over from death to life...a time is coming when all who are in their graves will hear his voice and come out - those who have done good will rise to live, and those who have done evil will rise to be condemned."

The Bible says:

"...when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven in blazing fire with his powerful angels...He will punish those who do not know God and do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus. They will be punished with everlasting destruction..."

It is of no profit to you to be successful in this life - if you ultimately lose your soul in the life to come. Jesus said:

"What good will it be for a man if he gains the whole world, yet forfeits his soul? Or what can a man give in exchange for his soul? For the Son of Man is going to come in his Father's glory with his angels, and then he will reward each person according to what he has done."

It is absolutely essential that you make the right choice for your eternal destiny. Remember:

"...God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life."

Take advantage of Jesus great promise: choose eternal life today.

ARTICLE REFERENCES:
John 3:16; John 3:17-18; John 8:24; Acts 4:12; ; Romans 10:9-10; Matthew 7:21; Luke 13:3; 2 Peter 3:9; Romans 10:9-10; Luke 12:8-9; Acts 2:38; 2 Peter 3:18; 2 Corinthians 13:11; Matthew 5:48; 2 Corinthians 5:10; John 5:24-29; 2 Thessalonians 1:7-9; Matthew 16:26-27; John 3:16.

NOTE: Scripture taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House. All rights reserved.