How to be saved from my sins?

Why is it so Difficult? Why so seemingly Confusing?

 

Why don’t we have a clear, short paragraph in the New Testament that tells us how people were to be saved during the time Jesus walked the earth, and another clear, short paragraph that tells us how people would be saved, in every generation after Jesus had returned to heaven?

 

Wouldn’t that be a lot easier and less open to interpretation than having to wade through the four gospels and Acts to determine what is required of us today for salvation?

 

Isn’t a large part of the reason we have so many different denominations teaching different things for salvation, is because fallible minds have to wade through the books of Matthew, Mark, Luke, John and Acts - 117 chapters, plus all the epistles, to determine what Jesus requires of sinners today if they are to be saved eternally?

 

Some see examples of sinners praying for mercy, and say salvation comes from praying for it.

Some see the grace Scriptures and say it’s all of God’s grace that saves.

Some see the faith Scriptures and say it’s just faith that saves.

Some see repentance and say repentance is the key to salvation.

Some see the baptism Scriptures and say it’s baptism that saves.

Some say it’s keeping the commandments, but which ones?

Some put all these together and say it’s grace, faith, repentance and baptism that save.

 

Jesus said that “man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.”

 

Jesus said if you believe in Him you will live forever. “Your faith has saved you.”

He said if you repent you will never perish: “Unless you repent you will all likewise perish.”

He said if you keep His commandments you are His friend.

He told an enquirer to keep the commandments, sell his possessions, give to the poor and follow Him.

He said if we confess Him before men He will confess us before His Father God.

He said if we believe and are baptized we will be saved.

He said whoever does the will of God will enter the kingdom of God.

Out of all this, how do we know which promises apply to us today? What do we do today to be saved eternally?

 

There is an obvious answer to this apparent conundrum. Just such short paragraphs do exist that teach us today how to be saved. When Jesus gave His “great commission,” He gave His salvation requirements for all nations for all time – terms that would supersede anything he had previously given to Israel:

 

“Eight days later, his disciples were inside again, and Thomas was with them. Although the doors were locked, Jesus came and stood among them and said, “Peace be with you.” Then he said to Thomas, “Put your finger here, and see my hands; and put out your hand, and place it in my side. Do not disbelieve, but believe.” Thomas answered him, “My Lord and my God!” Jesus said to him, “Have you believed because you have seen me? Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”

Now Jesus did many other signs in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book; but these are

written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life

in his name.” John 20:26-31

 

“Thus it is written that the Christ should suffer and rise again from the dead the third day, and that repentance for forgiveness of sins should be preached in His name to all nations …” Luke 24:46-47;

 

“go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit,

teaching them to observe all that I have commanded … ”  Matthew 28:19-20;

 

“go and preach the gospel to all creation. Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved; whoever does not believe will be condemned.” Mark 16:15-16

 

“What must I do to be saved today, Jesus?” 

 

“Examine My life, trust Me and obey the commands I have given you for your salvation in your generation. Believe, repent, confess your faith, be baptized, and live faithfully until death, obeying all that I commanded!”

 

But the reason God has not set these great commission Scriptures in boxed bold type – separate from everything else – has to do with context and salvation history. Believing, repenting and being baptized come after hearing the gospel. Mark 1:1; 16:15-16; Romans 10:13-15. You don’t believe just because there is a command to believe; you believe because you’re convinced of the truth about Jesus that you’ve learned, and want to be saved and live for God. Unless you read or hear  the full accounts of Jesus’ life, death, resurrection and teachings, you will not have the contextual evidence upon which to base your faith in Jesus. To properly believe and be saved, you need to hear the Jesus story. When you are convicted (believe wholeheartedly), then you will obey Jesus’ commands. You obey when you’re ready to obey and want to obey.

 

For more information on “how to be saved” visit http://www.commentaryonthebible.com/howtobesaved/