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What It Is To Be Saved

By Pastor J.D. Link

Abundant Grace Fellowship Church, Blanco, TX

What is it to be saved? We hear preachers say that you need to be saved, but what does that actually mean? I’m afraid even a lot of Christians would give the wrong answer to this question. We have often times made salvation about an emotional experience, rather than a total change of direction. We have often equated having feelings of guilt and remorse, and then running to the alter and saying a prayer, with the salvation experience: but statistics show that the overwhelming majority of people who do that never go on to serve the Lord. Why? Because the person never truly repented. Confession is not repentance; nor is feeling guilty or remorseful. Repentance is a change of direction, a “180”, if you will. It is a change of heart and mind. It is turning away from darkness, and to The Light (Act 26:18). It is turning from your own way, and going God’s way. It is surrendering your will to God’s will. Judas Iscariot felt remorse, but he did not repent. There is a worldly sorrow, and there is a Godly sorrow: Godly sorrow leads to repentance (2Cor 7:10).

Is believing in God salvation? No. James 2:19-20 says even satan and his demonic hoard believes in God. You have no more faith than the devil does if you believe in God. Is believing in The One True God salvation? No. Jesus said He came to save the lost sheep of the House of Israel (Mt 15:24). The Hebrews believe in The One True God, yet Jesus came to bring them salvation. Is belief in Jesus Christ salvation? No. Most atheist believe in Jesus . Herod and Pilate believed in Jesus, as well as many pagan historians. Simply believing that Jesus really existed does not save you; it just means you know some history. Before I was ever born again I believed in Jesus; but then again, so does the devil. Does believing Jesus is the Son of God save you? No. Many polytheist (people who believe in many gods) will say Jesus is the Son of God, right along side a host of other gods. Now don’t get me wrong; I’m not saying that believing Jesus is the Son of God is incorrect, but that alone doesn‘t save you.

. So what is it to be saved? First, you must love the Truth (2Thess 2:10): The Word of God is truth (Jn 17:17). Jesus is The Word (Jn 1:1, 14), so if you love Jesus, you’ll keep His Word (Jn 14:23-24, 1Jn 2:3-4). The Bible says you must admit that you are a spiritually bankrupt sinner (Mt 5:3, Rom 3:10,23). You cannot be saved until you acknowledge you’re lost. Pride has kept many people from entering the Kingdom of God (Prv 16:18). The Word says you must repent (Act 2:37-38, Heb 6:1). Again, this means a change of heart and mind to follow God. The Word says you must believe Jesus is the only way to God (Jn 3:17, 3:36, 5:23, 10:9, 14:6, Act 4:12, Rom 5:1-2, Eph 2:18, Heb 7:25, 1Jn 5:11-12), and this belief must be from your heart (true faith), not just your head (mental assent); and this will result in confession from your mouth (Acts 8:37, Rom 10:9-10, 2Cor 4:13). The Word says that you must be born again of the incorruptible seed of the Word of God (Jn 3:3, 1Pt 1:23). The Word says this is done by God’s grace, and is appropriated (applied to you) through faith, not works (Acts 15:11, Eph 2:8-9, Gal 2:21, Titus 3:5). The Word says we should count the cost (Lk 14:26-35), because being a disciple of Christ is more than a one time prayer, it is an enduring commitment (Mt10:22, Rom 11:22, 1Cor 15:1-2, Col 1:22-23, Heb 3:14, 10:38-39). The Bible says this inward change should produce outward changes; that we as Christians should be different; bearing good fruit and maintaining good works (Mt 12:33, Gal 5:22-23, Eph 2:10, Titus 3:8). Ultimately, saving faith will give us victory in this life (Gal 1:4, Rom 8:37, 2Cor 2:14), as well save us from an eternity in Hell, forever separated from God (Jn 3:16, Rev 20).

Thank God for Jesus saving us! Until next time, rejoice in the Lord!