What Must I Do To Be Saved?
This is what the Bible tells us about salvation:
For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. John 3:16
If you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.
Romans 10:9-10
But how do I learn to believe?
Without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him. Hebrews 11:6
And how do I get faith?
So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. Romans 10:17
For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast. Ephesians 2:8-9
You cannot earn God’s love, and there is nothing you can do that will ever change his love for you. BUT . . . you do have a choice. In the Book of Acts, The Philippian jailer asked Paul, “What must I do to be saved?” [Paul responded]: “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and you shall be saved.” Acts 16:30-32
So, what do you do when you feel abandoned by God? There are only two choices: You run to Him, or you run away. The jailer had a choice. He chose to believe and he was saved!
Why do I need to be saved right now? Isn’t this really all about going to heaven when I die?
For [God] says: "In an acceptable time I have heard you, and in the day of salvation I have helped you. Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.” 2 Corinthians 6:2.
Yes, God does desire that one day you will be with Him in heaven. Jesus even said He would go to prepare a place for us that one day we would all be together there. John 14:2-3.
But . . . He also wants us to live life to its fullest while we’re here on earth. He said: “I have come that [you] may have life, and that [you] may have it more abundantly.” John 10:10
If you desire a relationship with God and don’t know how, you can begin by praying these words:
Dear God, I come to you today as a lost sinner. I realize in my heart that I am in need of salvation, which can only come through Jesus Christ.
I’m asking that you save my soul and cleanse me from all my sin.
I am accepting Christ into my heart and what He did on the cross in order to purchase my redemption.
In obedience to your word, I confess with my mouth the Lord Jesus, and believe in my heart that God has raised Him from the dead. You have said in your Word, which cannot lie, “For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.’’ (Romans 10:13)
I am calling upon your name exactly as you have said, and I believe that right now, I AM SAVED.
Now what?
*Daily read the Bible, start with the book of John found in the New Testament
*Pray
*Attend a church that believes in the entirety of the Bible and preaches salvation through the Cross of Jesus Christ.
*Tell others about your decision to follow Christ.
Book recommendations:
Now What? A Guidebook For New Christians (Ralph W. Harris, 2012)
Living in Christ, Beginning Your New Walk of Faith (Billy Graham, 2012)
New Believer’s Guide to Effective Christian Living (Greg Laurie, 2002)
The Prodigal God (Timothy Keller, 2008)
The Owner’s Manual for Christians (Charles Swindoll, 2009)
**All scriptures referenced here, are quoted from the Holy Bible, New King James Version