What Does It Take to be Saved?
August 18, 2023
What Does It Take to be Saved?
By Brooke Holt
"But what does it say? 'The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart' (that is, the word of faith that we proclaim); because if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved." Romans 10:8-9
The Apostle Paul was a passionate guy! Before encountering Jesus, he was passionate for the Jewish faith and set upon the destruction of Christians. After his encounter with the risen Lord, Paul became passionate about one thing – Jesus Christ!
Paul’s second passion flowed from the first one; he wanted to see people brought to saving faith in Jesus. He especially longed for his fellow Jews to know that Jesus was the promised Messiah and to believe in him and his salvific work on their behalf. Paul yearned to see these people set free from the bondage of the Law and the forces of evil, sin, and death. Only one way to such freedom existed - the way of Jesus.
What could not be accomplished through the Law was accomplished in the death and resurrection of Jesus. With Jesus came a new way, a better way. The Old Covenant was surpassed by the New Covenant. What made this New Covenant superior? In the person of Jesus Christ, every aspect of the Law was fulfilled as was every prophecy. With Jesus came the completion and closure of the Old Covenant.
This should have been great news. While the Old Covenant was based on works, the New Covenant was based on faith. The heritage of the Jewish people made them the sons of Abraham, yet being a son of Abraham was not a guarantee of faith. Rather than relying on a birth-right, one must believe the following truths in his or her heart: Jesus is Lord, he died on the cross to forgive sins, and he was raised on the third day. Salvation is found in this profession of faith.
Throughout Paul’s letters, you can hear his heart’s cry: hear, know, and believe. He pleads with his people to leave the old behind and experience the glory and freedom of the new. Jesus, the Word of God made flesh, came to show his people the way to the Father and to make the way clear by taking their sins upon himself. In rising from the dead, Jesus demonstrated his power over the grave. That same power is now available to those who believe in him through the Holy Spirit.
Paul’s words were for the people of his day, for the churches, and for you. Do you believe that the Word has come into this world to show the way to the Father? Do you confess that Jesus is Lord. Finally, do you believe God raised him from the dead. If so, you too will be saved!
Thanks be to God for the gift of His Son and the salvation available in his name and work. You no longer must work to get to God; he has made the way for you.
Reflection:
Are you still working to achieve salvation or are you resting in the completed work of Jesus? Salvation is yours through faith in him alone. We would love to hear your thoughts in the comments.
Recommended Resource:
Our honest prayer before God is evidence that we understand the ways He loves, cherishes, sees, and hears us. Through prayer, we can acknowledge with Hagar, “You are the living One who sees me” (Genesis 16:14). When we pray, we are affirming the same. Why do we often hide from this privilege? Why do we avoid God, the One who sees us as we are and stands ready to provide and answer us in his holy, timely way? In this 8-week study on the prayers of Job, Ruth, Hannah, and David, grow your prayer life by facing your honest need and bringing your whole self before God. Acknowledging God as the One who guides your path can change your heart. It can take you past fear and into faith, strength, and hope. Learn more about Honest Prayer.
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