October 6, 2023

Matthew 19: 25 When the disciples heard this, they were astonished and asked, “Who then can be saved?” (NIV)

Timeworn clichés are not enough. Stubborn opinions may be wrong. . . Truth is not determined by a majority vote.*

Jesus has just shattered the disciples’ long-held beliefs about who was worthy of heaven. If the rich man couldn’t earn his salvation, what hope was there for them? Jesus must have taken their breath away when he replied, “With man this is impossible.” And if we stopped reading there, we too should be breathless – and hopeless. But Jesus continued, “But with God all things are possible.”

Perhaps the disciples were too stunned to ask the next logical question: What do we have to do to be saved? The answer to that question might prove inconclusive if we: 1) have preconceived ideas; and, 2) take scripture out of context. So let’s start with some beliefs that we can all agree on:

· The only way to the Father is through Jesus. (John 14: 6) 

· There is no other name by which we can be saved. (Acts 4: 12) 

· Salvation is a gift, not payment for good behavior. (Romans 6: 23) 

· We are saved by grace, through faith, not by works. (Ephesians 2: 8, 9)

I grew up being taught the “Plan of Salvation” in five easy steps: Hear, believe, confess, repent, be baptized. But in my research, I don’t find any scripture that lists all five components together. Here are some samples of what the Bible says about how to be saved:

· Mark 16: 16 – believe and be baptized and you’ll be saved; don’t believe, you’re condemned. 

· Matthew 10: 22 and 24: 13; Mark 13: 13 – stand firm to the end and you’ll be saved. 

· Acts 2: 21 – everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved. 

· Acts 2: 38 – repent and be baptized for forgiveness of sins and gift of the Holy Spirit. 

· Acts 16: 31 – believe and you will be saved. 

· Romans 10: 9-13 – confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord, believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, and you will be saved.

From this point on, you’re going to have to do some research of your own. Look up these passages (and any others that deal with the subject) and observe the context: Who was speaking/writing? Who was his audience? How much did the audience know about Jesus and salvation before the words were spoken/written? What did the listeners/readers do after they received the message? What should you do to be saved? (While you’re looking for answers, see if you can find anything that says that all you have to do is ask Jesus into your heart and you will be saved.) And I will venture to add one more step: seek the Holy Spirit’s guidance and you will be saved – if you choose to obey what he reveals.

Salvation is not a one-time occurrence but a lifelong process.*