What is the Gospel?
How Can I Be Saved?
When it comes to technological advancements, it is impossible to overstate the positive role that the internet has played in modern society. The amount of information at our disposal is beyond what anyone could imagine just a few decades ago. However, with the rapid proliferation of information, it becomes increasingly difficult to discern what to prioritize. The most important questions in life are often buried in the trivial discourses of the day. In a distracted world, we should stop and ask ourselves if we truly are seeking for the answers that matter in life.
The question; “How can I be saved?” should be at the forefront of everyone’s minds - as this is the only question that helps us prepare for death. Do not let a world of endless distractions hinder you from finding this answer. The Bible invites the reader to contemplate this very question. With its many poems, prophecies, narratives, and letters, there is one overarching storyline that runs through the whole book. It is the story of how God rescues humanity.
We Have Sinned
The Bible is very clear in its testimony against us. The fact is that we have all sinned against a Holy God. We read in Romans 3:23 “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” All of us are guilty of sinning against a Holy God. Consider all the times that we have lied or stolen, or used the Lord’s name in vain. Consider all of the times that we have failed to give God the honor that He deserves in our lives. We have all failed in many ways.
God Remains Holy
Many believe that because sin is a universal problem, God will lower His standard on the day of judgement - in order to accomadate most of us. Such thinking, is why many people believe that they will make it to Heaven, as they maintain that they have not comitted the bigger sins.
However, the sad reality is that God does not bend His standard to accommodate our fallen nature. His standard remains––He still requires holiness.
For example, in Leviticus 11:44, God tells His people “Be Holy for I am holy.” God’s standard for holiness is Himself, despite our fallen nature. Jesus echoes the same sentiment when he says if we look at someone, not our spouse, with lustful intent, we have committed the grave sin of adultery in our hearts (Matt 5:28). Again, Jesus states that if you hate your brother in your heart, you are guilty of murder.
It seems that God’s standard is way higher than we thought. He will still judge everyone for every sin that they have ever comitted.
Also, in Revelation we read that every liar (alongside murderers) will have their part in the lake of fire (Rev 21:8). Again, there is no evidence of God lowering the bar due to how prevalent lying is.
We are guilty of multiple sins in a given day and the Bible states that we will give an account to Him for what we’ve done: “So then each of us will give an account of himself to God.” - Romans 14:12
Every sin in motive and action will be judged in God’s court of law. Remember this: No sin will ever go unpunished.
How to Be Saved
But our initial question, “how can I be saved?” assumes the possibility of salvation. But how? If every sin must be accounted for, how does God forgive? God does not sweep sin under a rug, as though it never happened. So how does He save us?
The answer is found in the person and work of Jesus Christ. Who He is and what He has done is the basis upon which our salvation rests.
During His earthly ministry, there was nothing notable about Jesus’ appearance that would set Him apart from others. In that sense, His glory was hidden. But large crowds would follow Him as He taught and performed miracles. Even with His popularity, He posed no threat to the government. He had no political ambitions. Instead, He demonstrated that His kingdom was not of this world, but in Heaven. His interest is the spiritual realm. Morally He was pure. He never sinned in motive or action. Whereas Adam and Eve fell at the first glance of temptation, Christ remained perfect at every sight of temptation: “He committed no sin nor was deceit found in his mouth.” - 1 Peter 2:22
His moral perfection becomes an important part of the story. Although He was perfect, He took our sins upon Himself, “For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.” - 2 Cor 5:21
Look at the verse carefully. It states: for our sake {God} made {Jesus} who knew no sin to become sin.
In essence, God made His son Jesus––who never sinned––become sin. Although Jesus was without sin, He took our sins upon Himself. Although He was completely righteous, He took on our unrighteousness. God looked at His son as though it were you. God saw His son with the very sins that you committed. But Jesus did not only take our sins. He suffered the punishment that our sins deserved - death.
“… Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures” - 1 Cor 15:3
In this passage, we observe that Christ died for OUR sins. He did not die for His own sins. He died for the very sins that you committed. Remember, God does not simply sweep sin under a rug––He judges them. All sin must be accounted for. Christ took the punishment for us. Read the following verses carefully.
“But he was pierced for our transgressions; he was crushed for our iniquities; upon him was the chastisement that brought us peace, and with his wounds we are healed” - Isaiah 53:5
For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive in the spirit, 1 Peter 3:18
He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed. 1 Peter 2:24
But God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us” - Romans 5:8
God's judgment against us was terminated on the cross, as He poured out His wrath on His own Son. “My God, My God why have you forsaken me” Jesus cried in Matthew 27:46. He was abandoned by His Father because He was under judgment.
In Isaiah 53:10, the author boldly states: “It was the Lord's will to crush Him.” God crushed His own Son? Yes. Jesus absorbed all the judgment that was designed for us. He paid the price completely, thereby setting us free.
But the story does not end there. Three days later Jesus rises from the dead. The resurrection validates Jesus’ claims. It should be noted that there were many false messiahs in His days. These men have all died and ultimately remained in their graves to this day. Jesus is the only one to rise from the dead. We are not following a dead messiah who made unverifiable claims about Himself. He truly is who He claims to be.
The resurrection also teaches us that we follow a Messiah who has power over death. By rising from the dead, He demonstrates His power over it. This promise is for His followers too––they too will experience a future resurrection from the grave.
So, to return to the original question, “what must I do to be saved?” I want to begin by stating it negatively: Your good deeds cannot save you. The following passages makes this clear:
For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. Ephesians 2:8-9
He saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness but according to His own mercy - Titus 3:5
If it is not by works, then how can someone be saved? Read the next passage to see if you can find the answer.
“Yet we know that a person is not justified by works of the law but through faith in Jesus Christ, ….” - Galatians 2:16
Do you see it? Experience teaches us that in order to receive something, we must work hard for it. However, with God, you cannot earn salvation. You must simply believe. The above passage makes that clear. It says we are “not justified by works of the law, but through faith in Christ Jesus.” Salvation is found through faith in Jesus Christ alone. You may be tempted to think that somehow you can win favor with God by being good or religious. Your good deeds will not save you. You must cast all your hope in Jesus Christ alone. See the following passages:
“The time is fulfilled and the Kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel” - Mark 1:15
“Testifying both to Jews and to Greeks of repentance toward God and of faith in our Lord Jesus Christ” - Acts 20:21
If you notice, repentance is placed alongside faith. Repentance and belief are two sides of the same coin, which means that in order to believe in Jesus, you must reject and confess your sins. True faith is a repentant faith. Salvation is free, but you must agree with God that you’ve been heading the wrong way and that with full purpose of heart you reject who you were, while turning to Christ.
Listen to what your Saviour says:
Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. - Matt 11:28
Can you trust Him in all He is and all that He’s done for you? He accomplished all that is necessary for your salvation. He has purchased your salvation on the cross. All you must do is repent of your sins and believe in Jesus and you will be saved.
If you have done this, or have any further questions concerning salvation, please reach out to us via the contact page.