What Does It Mean To Be Saved? A Biblical Explanation by Bro. David Martin
The greatest thing anyone can know is that they are saved and going to Heaven one day. There is no greater joy in this world than knowing you have peace with God, and that when you depart this life everything will be alright. Jesus destroyed the one who had the power of death, the Devil, and we need no longer fear death. Jesus has the keys of hell and of death, and He will deliver all those who put their faith and trust in Him from hell and the grave. (Hebrews 2:14, 15; Rev. 1:18) The Bible tells us that “perfect love casteth out fear.” (1 John 4:18)
Briefly, salvation (being “saved”) is God forgiving you of your sins so you won’t go to Hell, and giving you eternal life so you may go to Heaven. Let me explain. After reading this, when you have time, if you have a Bible (preferably an old King James Version)look up the verses and read them for yourself.
In order to be saved and know Christ as your personal Saviour –
1. You must realize and admit that you are a sinner. A sinner is simply a person who has sinned against God by disobeying Him. The Bible says that we “all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God,” (Rom. 3:23) and that “there is none righteous, no, not one.” (Rom. 3:10) The prophet Isaiah said, “All we like sheep have gone astray: we have turned every one to his own way…” (Isa. 53:6)
2. Because we are sinners who have sinned against God, we need His forgiveness. The Bible says, “Who can forgive sins but God only?” (Mark 2:7) Of course no can forgive you of your sins but God Himself.
3. Also, you must know that you cannot work to earn God’s forgiveness. Our good works and best intentions cannot merit God’s forgiveness. The Bible says that salvation is “not of works, lest any man should boast” and it is “not by works of righteousness which we have done,” but is “according to His mercy” that we are saved. (Ephesians 2:8,9; Titus 3:5)
4. Knowing that you are a sinner needing God’s forgiveness and that you cannot earn salvation, you must understand that Jesus Christ died on the Cross to pay the penalty of your sins. The Bible says that “Christ died, the Just for the unjust, that He might bring us to God…” (2 Peter 3:18) It also says that “God commendeth His love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” (Rom. 5:8) In another place, it says, “Christ died for our sins.” (1 Cor. 15:3) And going back to Isaiah 53:6 it says, “The LORD hath laid on Him the iniquity of us all.” John the Baptist pointed to the Lord Jesus and said, “Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world!” (John 1:29) Since “the wages of sin is death” (Rom. 6:23), Jesus had to die in our place to pay for our sins. But the GOOD NEWS (“gospel”) is that, because of His death for us, we can have eternal life if we will accept Him as our personal Saviour by simple faith.
5. The Bible says that “to as many as received Him, the them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name.” (John 1:12) There are two parts to this verse, but they happen at the same time. A) To receive Christ as Saviour means to ACCEPT Him into your heart by faith; you simply invite Him to come into your heart and save you. B) To believe on His name means to trust in Him, to depend upon Him, to rely on Him, to save you like He said He would do if you will receive Him as Savior. You don’t depend on your works, your goodness, your church membership, your baptism, or anything else – but you place your faith in Him 100% to save you; that is, to forgive your sins and give you eternal life.
Romans 10:9-13 – “9 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. 10 For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. 11 For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed. 12 For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon him. 13 For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.”
Revelation 3:20 – “Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.”
If God is dealing with your heart and you want to be saved, you may do so right now by simply believing and sincerely receiving Jesus Christ as your personal Saviour. Bow your head where you are and ask God to save you right now. If the prayer below expresses your heart’s desire, then pray this prayer and mean it with your heart:
“Dear God, I know that I am a sinner and that I need Your forgiveness. I believe that Jesus died on the Cross for my sins so that I could be forgiven and have eternal life. The best way I know how, I now invite your Son, Jesus Christ, to come into my heart and be my Saviour. Lord Jesus, I accept You as my personal Saviour. Thank You for dying for me. Thank you for saving me. In Your name I pray. Amen.”
If you sincerely meant that, then you are saved. God said that if you would call on Him, He would save you (see Romans 10:13). Jesus said in John 5:24, “Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.”
When you place your faith and trust in Jesus Christ as your personal Saviour, you pass from death unto life, God gives you everlasting life, and you will not come into condemnation (you won’t go to Hell, you are on your way to Heaven, and nothing will ever change your destination now that you are saved.)
1 John 5:11-13 – “11 And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. 12 He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life. 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 name of the Son of God.”
HELPFUL HINTS TO ALL CHRISTIANS
1. Read your Bible every day. (The “old” King James Version)
2. Pray every day. (Talk to God)
3. Witness. (Tell others how they, too, can be saved)
4. Attend a Bible-believing, Gospel-preaching Church.
5. Be baptized according to the Scriptures. (By immersion; not to be saved, but because you have been saved)
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