The Eternal Purpose of God

Courtesy to Berean Bible Society

ARE YOU SAVED?

Some of the most  common responses you will receive to this question are;

  • I am basically a good person.

  • I’ve always been a Christian.

  • I’m a church member.

  • I’ve never done anything really bad.

  • I keep the commandments.

  • I’ve made Jesus the Lord of my life.

  • I believe in God.

  • I’ve been baptized.

  • I’m doing the best I can.

  • I prayed the sinner’s prayer.

  • I am a born-again Christian

While these answers are interesting, none of them answer the question. One reason people give these unresponsive answers is that they don’t understand the question.

The question, “Are you saved?” asks whether you have trusted Christ’s shed blood on the cross as payment for your sins. It is not asking about what works that you, or others, may have done.

All of the unresponsive answers refer to something that a person does, but salvation is what Christ has already done for us. The gospel of our salvation is clearly stated by the apostle Paul:

Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures. (1 Corinthians 15:3-4)

The blood of Christ has purchased what we could not earn ourselves.

In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins: (Colossians 1:14)

We cannot be good enough to earn salvation because “there is none righteous” (Rom. 3:10) and “all have sinned” (Rom. 3:23). The “wages of sin is death” (Rom. 6:23). In order to be saved, we must stop trusting ourselves and trust the blood payment that Christ has already made on our behalf!

For by grace 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)

Knowing that we are sinners and that Christ died for us, we should respond by placing our faith in Christ’s payment for our sin.

One day, everyone will give an account of themselves to God. Why not settle the question of your salvation today?

God is the Creator

Contemporary thinking says man is the product of evolution. But the Bible says we were created by a personal God to love, serve, and enjoy endless fellowship with Him. The New Testament reveals it was Jesus Himself who created everything (John 1:3; Colossians 1:16). Therefore, He also owns and rules everything (Psalm 103:19). That means He has authority over our lives, and we owe Him absolute allegiance, obedience, and worship.

Jesus is Lord and Savior

Romans 10:9 says, If you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you shall be saved. Even though God’s justice demands death for sin, His love has provided a Savior who paid the penalty and died for sinners (1 Peter 3:18). Christ’s death satisfied the demands of God’s justice, and Christ’s perfect life satisfied the demands of God’s holiness (2 Corinthians 5:21), thereby enabling Him to forgive and save those who place their faith in Him (Romans 3:26).

Mankind Is Sinful

According to Scripture, everyone is guilty of sin: There is no man who does not sin (1 Kings 8:46). That doesn’t mean we’re incapable of performing acts of human kindness. But we’re utterly incapable of understanding, loving, or pleasing God on our own (Romans 3:10-12).

God is Holy

God is absolutely and perfectly holy (Isaiah 6:3); therefore He cannot commit or approve of evil (James 1:13). God requires holiness of us as well. First Peter 1:16 says, you shall be holy, for I am holy.