Are You Saved?

There is no greater question one could ask-especially to someone purporting to believe in God and in Jesus Christ. But to answer the question authoritatively, we must go to the Bible. So what must we do to be saved by God through Christ?

We can not be saved without Jesus Christ.

Jesus Said, "no one cometh unto the Father, but by me." (John 14:6). Peter said," And in none other is there salvation: for neither is there any other name under heaven, that is given among men, wherein we must be saved." (Acts 4:12). So people who are not or who have not yet responded to Jesus Christ, the Bible says, are not saved. Are you saved?

We can not be saved without the words of life.

God said to Cornelius that he needed to hear the words,"buy which you will be saved" (Acts 11:14) That "word of the cross"(1 Corinthians 1:18) Cornelius heard, believed, and acted upon was brought by Spirit-guided men (1 Corinthians 2:10-13;Ephesians 3:5), led into "all the truth of God" (John 16:13). Therefore, people who have not believed on Christ based on the word of truth will not find salvation. Are you saved?

We can not be saved without faith.

"Whoever believes on Him...should be saved through Him" (John 3:16-17). In fact we "have been saved by grace through faith". (Ephesians 2:8). Therefore, people who have not believed in Christ will not be saved. Are you saved?

We can not be saved without repentance.

"Unless you repent,"Jesus warned we will not be saved (Luke 13:3). In fact, the Lord wants all to be saved, but will save only those who repent (see 2 Peter 3:9). Therefore, if we will not repent of wickedness or sin, we will not be saved. Are you saved?

We can not be saved without baptism.

A touchy subject for some. But the Bible still says, "Baptism now saves you" (1 Peter 3:21) and that to be saved, Jesus said we must "Believe and be baptized" (Mark 16:16) The Apostle Paul said, " For as many of you as were baptized into Christ did put on Christ." (Galatians 3:27). Therefore, if we have not been baptized into Christ, (see Acts 2:38), we are not saved. Are you saved?
(For more information on baptism, please read "The New Birth")

We will not be saved unless we persevere.

The one who "endures to the end," Jesus says, "will be saved" (Mark 13:13). We must not shrink back but propel ourselves forward in faith (Hebrews 10:39) and as John says. " Be faithful, even unto death" (Revelation 2:10). We will not be saved if we do not continue in faithfulness. Are you saved?

That's the question that matters for eternity. Now, are you really saved? "Behold , now is the day of salvation" (2 Corinthians 6:2). "Be saved from this perverse generation" (Acts 2:40)

Don Hooten
Christianity Magazine
June 99

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