Belief in Jesus
The Bible is clear that the only way to be saved is through faith in Jesus Christ. In John 3:16 it states, “For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.” It is through faith in Jesus that salvation is made available. By believing in the work he did on the cross, faith in him makes one righteous before God and provides access to the grace of God.
The Apostle Paul said in Romans 10:9 that “If you declare with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.” To have faith in Jesus means that you know who Jesus is, you believe that He is Lord and you trust in His resurrection for the atonement of your sins.
Although there are many religions in the world and other paths where one can receive salvation, there is only one path to receive salvation according to the Bible and that is through faith and belief in Jesus Christ. Without the belief in Jesus, one will not receive the atonement and grace of God. To be saved, the believer must acknowledge Jesus Christ as the only way, truth, and life.
Repentance
The second step towards being saved is to repent of your sins and turn away from your sin. This means turning away from anything that is not in accordance with God’s will. To repent means to turn away from your sinful habits and follow the path of righteousness. In Luke 13:3 Jesus says, “I tell you, no! But unless you repent you too will all perish.” Repentance is necessary to receive the full forgiveness of one’s sins.
The Bible teaches that there is no forgiveness for one’s sins without repentance. In 2 Corinthians 7:10 it says that “Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret, but worldly sorrow brings death.” Repentance is an act of true sorrow and remorse for our sins. It is an acknowledgement of one’s errors and an intention to make a change of behavior from the sin to the path of righteousness.
It is impossible for one to receive salvation without true repentance. By taking an inward assessment of one’s sinful ways and habits and actively changing behavior to be in accordance with God’s will is the first step to being saved.
Restoration Through Baptism
The third step of being saved is being baptized which is the outward act of showing a commitment to following the teachings of Christ and an outward sign of one’s belief in him. By being baptized, one is symbolically burying their past life and beginning a new one. Luke 3:21-22 states that “When all the people were baptized, Jesus was baptized too. And as he was praying, heaven was opened”.
Baptism is an outward symbol of one’s inner transformation. As a believer follows the teachings of Christ and receives the power of the Holy Spirit, they will begin to reflect the character of Christ and walk in the ways of God. Through baptism, a believer gives assurance of their commitment to living a life in accordance with God’s will.
Acceptance of the Holy Spirit
The Bible teaches that the only way we can be saved is by the power of the Holy Spirit. It is only through the power of the Holy Spirit that believers can have the courage, knowledge and strength to stand up for what is right and to turn away from sin. In John 3:5-6 it says, “Jesus said, ‘Very truly I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless they are born of water and the Spirit. Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit.’ ”
The power of the Holy Spirit is key to being saved. By accepting the Holy Spirit, believers are able to discern God’s will and are empowered to live a life in accordance with His will. The acceptance of the Holy Spirit requires having a deep faith in Jesus and being willing to accept the guidance of the Holy Spirit.
In Acts 2:38 Peter says “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.” To be saved one must accept the Holy Spirit and allow it to guide them on their journey to salvation.
Resurrection
The last step in the journey of being saved is the resurrection. In 1 Corinthians 15:12-20 it states, “Now if Christ is preached as raised from the dead, how can some of you say that there is no resurrection of the dead? If there is no resurrection of the dead, then not even Christ has been raised. And if Christ has not been raised, our preaching is useless and so is your faith.”
A belief in the resurrection of Christ is essential in order to be saved. In Romans 8:34 it states, “Who then is the one who condemns? No one. Christ Jesus who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is interceding for us.” To be saved, believers must have faith that Jesus died for our sins, was resurrected, and is now at the right hand of God interceding for us.
Living a Life According to the Bible
Once one has faith in Jesus Christ, repents from their sins and accepts the Holy Spirit and the resurrection of Christ, the next step in the journey of being saved is to live a life according to the Bible. Living a life in accordance with God’s will requires an ongoing commitment to following the teachings of the Bible. As believers live their lives in accordance with the teachings of the Bible, they will not only receive the grace of God and be saved, but they will also be able to live a life of joy and peace.
The Bible is clear that obedience to the commandments of God is essential for salvation. In Matthew 19:17 Jesus states, “And he said to him, ‘Why do you ask me about what is good? There is only one who is good. If you would enter life, keep the commandments.’ ” Simple actions such as regularly reading the Bible, gathering with other believers, and serving the community can help believers live a life in accordance with God’s will.
The journey to being saved is a lifelong process that requires dedication, faith and an ongoing commitment. It is a journey of transformation and renewal where believers receive salvation and experience the grace of God. By believing in Jesus, repenting from sins, accepting the Holy Spirit, and living a life according to His will, one can experience the joy and peace that comes with true salvation.
Ongoing Conversion
One of the key aspects of being saved is ongoing conversion. This is the ongoing process of transformation, renewal and repentance. Believers must be actively renewing and transforming their hearts and minds in order to further their journey of salvation. Luke 9:23 says, “Then he said to them all: ‘Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me.’ ”
Renewing oneself daily means that one examines their thoughts and actions to ensure that they are aligned with God’s will. It also involves taking time out to pray and to meditate on Scripture. It is important to have a daily time of prayer and reading the Bible in order to keep one’s thoughts God-centered and focused on the path of righteousness.
Ongoing conversion is also about being willing to offer forgiveness. We are called to forgive those who have wronged us and to seek forgiveness for our own wrongdoings. In Matthew 6:14-15 it states, “If you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.”
The ongoing process of conversion is essential to being saved. It requires believers to actively seek God’s will and to live their lives in accordance with His word. As believers go through this process, they are able to receive full forgiveness and the grace of God.
Honoring God’s Will
The journey of being saved requires an ongoing commitment to following and honoring God’s will. This involves actively seeking the will of God in all aspects of life, from seeking God’s guidance in decision-making to always honoring the will of God. As believers consecrate their lives to the will of God, they will experience the peace and joy that come with being obedient to His will.
Honoring the will of God also involves actively participating in God-honoring activities. This could mean attending church, engaging in service to the community, or reading the Bible. Spending time in the presence of God, being taught the Word of God, and living in fellowship with other believers can help us to honor God’s will.
The Bible says in James 4:7, “Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.” To be saved, believers must actively seek the will of God and submit their lives to His will. By honoring and respecting the will of God, we can experience the peace, joy and salvation that come from living a life of stewardship, submission and service to the Lord.
Living an Abundant Life in Christ
When believers have faith in Jesus Christ, repent of their sins, accept the Holy Spirit, accept the resurrection, live a life according to the Bible, and honor the will of God, they are able to experience true freedom and joy in their life. In John 10:10 Jesus says, “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.”
Living a life in Christ brings with it true joy and peace. By living in accordance with God’s will, believers are able to experience an abundance of peace, joy and love. They will receive the grace and mercy of God and be able to live a life of purpose, meaning and fulfillment. As believers experience the freedom and joy of living an abundant life in Christ, they can also experience the peace, rest, and salvation that come with being saved.
The path to being saved is not an easy one, but it is one that leads to true freedom and joy. As we pursue Jesus and devote our lives to the will of God, we will be encouraged, supported, and ultimately saved.
