How can I be saved?

 

How can I be saved?

           This was the question asked by a jailer who lived in the ancient city of Philippi. This simple, yet profound, question is the most important question that can be asked as it deals with life now and eternal life to come. There is no more important issue than our eternal destiny. Thankfully, the Bible is abundantly clear on how a person can be saved. The Philippian jailer asked Paul and Silas, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” (Acts 16:30). Paul and Silas responded, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved” (Acts 16:31).

           Friend, you need to understand three things; that God loves you, that God has given you something special, and that God offers you a tremendous reward.

           Every one of us needs help. We are not perfect people. We are not born loving God. But God loves us. God loves us, not for who we are, but in spite of who we are. Sadly, the sin of our original parents, Adam and Eve, many years ago, affected the entire human race. Because of their sin, we are born into this world out of fellowship with God, subject to death just as our first parents.

           Each of us deserve God’s anger and wrath, but God still loves us. And instead of turning His back on us, He gave us something special, something only He could give (Romans 6:23).

           God gave us Jesus Christ. God’s Son, Jesus Christ came to take away the punishment that we deserved for turning from God and being full of the wrong stuff. Christ is our perfect substitute, who 2,000 years ago went to the cross for each of us. If you were the only one on the planet He would have gone just for you. We can’t save ourselves, because if we could then Christ died for nothing. Christ’s death makes it possible for us to receive a tremendous reward.

           The Bible says that the only way to be saved is through Jesus Christ. Jesus Himself said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me” (John 14:6). The apostle Peter declared concerning Jesus, “There is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved” (Acts 4:12).

           Going to church doesn’t save you. Being baptized doesn’t save you. Doing a lifetime full of good things doesn’t save you. Trusting in Jesus Christ is what saves us. Believing in, relying on Him and His sacrifice for us is our only way to eternal life in Heaven and our only way to have a relationship with God.

           Those three things are all mentioned in one verse in the Bible. John 3:16, “For God loved the world so much that he gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.”

           There is nothing more important than your need to trust Christ. You can tell God you are trusting Jesus Christ as your Savior through a simple prayer. It’s not the prayer that saves you; it’s trusting Christ that saves you. Prayer is simply how you tell God what you are doing:

Dear God, I know I’m a sinner. I know my sin deserves to be punished. I believe Christ died for me and rose from the grave. I trust Jesus Christ alone as my Savior. Thank you for the forgiveness and everlasting life I now have. In Jesus’ name, amen.

           We are also available to help or answer questions. Please call or email us. We would also like to know that you have made this decision for the first time so that we can encourage you further in your walk with Christ.