How to Be Saved and Know it

No one likes to think about death, but death comes to everyone. God tells us in His Word, 

"And it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment:" - Hebrews 9:27

Since death is so certain, you must prepare to meet God. According to God's Word, you will spend eternity in one of two places -- either in Heaven or in Hell.

"And these shall go away into everlasting punishment [Hell]: but the righteous into life eternal [Heaven]." - Matthew 25:46

Do you consider yourself to be a good person? The Ten Commandments were not given to merely have good rules to follow. God gave them to expose the areas in our life where we fall short. 

"Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin." - Romans 3:20

Do you know any of the 10 Commandments? Read a few of them below and reflect on which one you believe is the hardest one for you to keep, and consider if these things accompany being a "good person."

#9: "Thou shalt not bear false witness"

Bearing false witness is telling lies? How many lies have you told in your life, regardless of how big or small them may seem? What do you call someone who tells countless lies? Not just a human, or a sinner, but rather "a liar."

#8: "Thou shalt not steal"

Have you stolen anything, regardless of the value? How many times have you stolen? What do you call someone that steals things? You'd call them "a thief." 

#7: "Thou shalt not commit adultery"

Have you ever cheated on your spouse? Perhaps not, and that's a good thing. Jesus said,

"Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not commit adultery: But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart." - Matthew 5:27-28

God's standard is a lot higher than ours, He sees our thoughts and imaginations. By Jesus' own standard, if you think any sexual thought about another person that is not your spouse, you've committed adultery in your heart. 

#6: "Thou shalt not kill"

Many people have murdered another person, but maybe you've thought about killing someone, or wished someone were dead. Jesus said,

"Ye have heard that it was said by them of old time, Thou shalt not kill; and whosoever shall kill shall be in danger of the judgment: But I say unto you, That whosoever is angry with his brother without a cause shall be in danger of the judgment: and whosoever shall say to his brother, Raca [worthless], shall be in danger of the council: but whosoever shall say, Thou fool, shall be in danger of hell fire." - Matthew 5:21-22

Have you cursed someone under your breath, or perhaps called someone a less than appropriate name? God sees the thoughts and intents of our hearts, and will hold us accountable to every word that we say when we stand before Him on Judgement Day. 

"...every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment." - Matthew 12:36

#4: "Thou shalt not take the name of the LORD thy God in vain"

Have you ever used God's name as a cuss word? Rather than saying a filthy four-letter word, most people substitute it for "God" or "Jesus Christ." You wouldn't use your mother's name to indicate disgust or pain, because that would be disrespectful. The God who gave you life, air to breathe, lips to speak, etc. will hold you accountable for using His name in a vain (empty or worthless) way. You may say, "I didn't mean anything by it!" Exactly right, that's what "taking the name of the Lord in vain" means.

"Thou shalt not take the name of the Lord thy God in vain; for the Lord will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain." - Exodus 20:7

When God judges us, it will be by His standard, not ours. If God were to judge you by the standard of the Ten Commandments, are you going to be innocent or guilty? If you're honest with yourself, you'd say that you would be guilty. If God is good and just, would He allow you into Heaven or cast you into Hell? Because God is good, He must by nature punish murderers, rapists, thieves, liars, fornicators, and blasphemers. God is going to punish sin wherever it’s found, He cannot allow sin into His presence. 

"...There is none righteous, no, not one:" - Romans 3:10

"...the wicked shall not be unpunished;" - Proverbs 11:21

"...all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags;" - Isaiah 64:6

Similarly to how a criminal doesn't stand before a judge because they did something good, but rather of the evil, we will stand before God and give an account of the evil things we've done. Additionally, a good judge would be unjust if they said, "Oh, you're okay, you didn't mean it, so I'm letting you go." 

"Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God." - 1 Corinthians 6:9-10

"But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death." - Revelation 21:8

When we get close to the edge of a tall cliff or building, or have our hand near a venomous spider or snake, there's something in us that screams at us to get away from the edge. If you're concerned about the state of your soul, that's a good thing: it's your conscience telling you to "get away from the edge." If you'd like to know how to be saved from the sins you have committed, and be saved from the judgement of God, please read the next question.

In spite of your sin, God still loves you and has done everything necessary for your salvation. 

"For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly." - Romans 5:6

"For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." - John 3:16

"For by grace [unmerited favor] are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast." - Ephesians 2:8-9

God came down as a man to take Man's punishment. Justice was satisfied on the cross when Jesus proclaimed, "It is finished" (John 19:30). If Jesus took 100% of your punishment, how much is left for you to pay? Absolutely none. 

"For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord." - Romans 6:23

Just believing intellectually that you are a sinner, that God loves you, and that Jesus Christ died for you is not enough. You must apply this to yourself personally by repenting (a change of mind that results in the change of action) and recieving the Lord Jesus Christ as your own Saviour. You must turn from your sins, dead religion, and your own good works to trust in Jesus Christ alone for your salvation. 

"Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me." - John 14:6

"Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble." - James 2:19

"...except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish." - Luke 13:3

"But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:" - John 1:12

"And brought them out, and said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved? And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved..." - Acts 16:30-31

"That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation... For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved." - Romans 10:9-10,13

We're not guaranteed tomorrow, or even our next breath. You must make the decision to trust Christ as your Saviour quickly, before it's too late!

"Boast not thyself of to morrow; for thou knowest not what a day may bring forth." - Proverbs 27:1

"God... commandeth all men every where to repent:" - Acts 17:30

"...behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation." - 2 Corinthians 6:2

"Seek ye the Lord while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near:" - Isaiah 55:6

Wherever you are right now, tell God that you are a lost sinner, ask Him to forgive you of your sins, and receive the Lord Jesus Christ as your Saviour. This salvation (being saved from your sins) is by faith. If you made this decision now, have doubts about whether or not you're truly saved, or have any other questions, please contact us here.