What Must I Do To Be Saved?

Have you ever considered this question? Have you ever asked it? How would you answer? The correct answer will determine whether you spend eternity in heaven or in hell.

First of all, it is essential that you have asked the question for the right reasons. In other words, what do you wish to be saved from? If you fell from a high cliff you might cry out, “Save me!” These situations would indeed be frightening but not nearly as terrifying as standing guilty before a holy and righteous God.

Our greatest problem is SIN. The great tragedy is that few people have any idea of the seriousness of the situation. Most people simply do not see themselves as being that bad. This is because they are using the wrong standard. They are comparing them-selves with other people instead of comparing themselves with God. Please listen to me. If you have ever committed even a single sin YOU ARE GUILTY before God. Every guilty sinner will be sentenced to hell when they stand before God on the day of judgment. This is just. We are guilty. ALL OF US. If God has convinced your heart of the fact of your sin and guilt then you may properly ask the question, “What must I do to be saved?”

But what about the answer? Herein lies the problem. Most people are relying on the wrong answers. Many are depending upon their good works. My friend, this is a hopeless endeavor. Even if you could live perfectly for the rest of your life (which you cannot) this would in no way ad-dress your guilt. It would be like a convicted murderer pleading before the judge, “Let me go free and I’ll never do it again!” If you are trusting in your church, or in your religious life or in the sacraments you will perish in your sin.

There is only one answer to the question. “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shalt be saved” (Acts 16:31). Jesus died on the cross taking our guilt upon Himself and paying the penalty for all who would trust Him. All who turn from their sin (repentance) and trust in Christ alone shall be saved.

 Sinner, please cast aside any other attempt to solve the problem of sin. Surrender yourself to Christ. “Seek ye the Lord while he may be found, Call upon him while He is near” (Isaiah 55:6).
—Dale Crawford