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"The Ancient Landmark"

What Must I Do To Be Saved?

  

"That Which Saves Men"

Jarrod Jacobs

There is much religious confusion today. One way in which men have been fooled is in the teaching which says that one thing (specifically, faith) alone saves a man. Many wish to tell men that once they have faith, then they are saved from their sins. Is this what the Bible teaches? Consider the verses below. The Bible teaches that:

1) People saw salvation when John preached (Lk. 1:77, 3:6).

2) Salvation came through Christ (Matt. 1:21; Lk. 2:30, 19:9-10; Jn. 3:17, 10:9, 12:47; Acts 4:12; I Tim. 1:15; Heb. 7:25; Jas. 4:12; Rom. 4:25).

3) Paul and Barnabas showed people "the way of salvation" (Acts 16:17).

4) The Gospel is God's power to salvation (Rom. 1:16; Eph. 1:13; Jas. 1:21; I Cor. 15:1-2; Gal. 2:16).

5) Man must believe and confess Christ in order to be saved (Rom. 10:9-10).

6) "Godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation" (II Cor. 7:10). Repentance of sins saves man. (Acts 2:38).

7) God's grace saves us (Tit. 2:11, 3:7; Acts 15:11; Eph. 2:5, 8; II Tim. 1:9; Rom. 3:24).

8) Obedience to Christ saves us (Heb. 5:8-9; Rom. 2:13; Matt. 7:21; Jas. 2:24).

9) Faith saves us (Mk. 16:16; I Pet. 1:9-10; I Cor. 1:21; Heb. 10:39; Lk. 8:12; Acts 10:43, 13:39, 16:11; Eph. 2:8; Rom. 3:25, 28, 30, 5:1; Gal. 3:8).

10) Salvation is seen in God's longsuffering (II Pet. 3:15; Rom. 3:25).

11) People were commanded to "save themselves." Therefore, they were expected to do something. (Acts 2:40; I Tim. 4:16).

12) The preaching of the Gospel saves (I Cor. 1:21).

13) Baptism saves us (I Pet. 3:21; Mk. 16:16; Acts 2:38, 22:16; Tit. 3:5; I Cor. 6:11; Jn. 3:3-5; Eph. 5:26).

14) The one who endures to the end will be saved (Matt. 24:13; Mk. 13:13).

15) The word of God/Christ saves (Jn. 5:34; II Tim. 3:15; Acts 11:14).

16) "Whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved" (Acts 2:21; Rom. 10:13).

17) The blood of Christ saves us (Rom. 3:25, 5:9; Matt. 26:28; Heb. 9:22; Rev. 1:5).

18) We are saved by the life of Christ (Rom. 5:10).

19) We are saved by hope (Rom. 8:24).

20) We must love the truth to be saved (II Thess. 2:10).

21) God's mercy saves us (Tit. 3:5).

22) God saves us (Rom. 3:25, 30, 8:33; Gal. 3:8).

23) Our own words can save or condemn us (Matt. 12:36-37).

24) Those whom God saves have been called by the gospel (Rom. 8:30; II Thess. 2:14).

25) Finally, the Bible says that God wants all men to be saved (I Tim. 2:4).

After reading these 25 things that the Bible says saves us, how could anyone dare say that one thing "alone" saves us? Where is the passage that says anything "alone" does anything? Some may balk and say that we are "mixing categories." That is to say, there are things that God does to bring about salvation, and then things man must do. No one denies this. I believe and teach that there are things God does in order to bring about man's salvation. For man to try to "do it on his own," would result in nothing but dying in his sins. Dear reader, just go back through the things we have listed, take a sheet of paper, draw a line dividing the sheet in two, and on one side of the line write at the top of the page, "What God does." Then, on the other side of the line write, "What man does." Go back through your Bible and write down what God has done to bring about salvation for man and then what man must do in response. I can assure you that you will not have a "lop-sided" list; nor will there be many things which God does, and only one thing that man does for salvation!

In fact, if we can look into the Bible and find anything besides faith that man must do in order to be saved (ex. repent, confess Christ, etc.), then man isn't saved by faith "alone" is he? Friend, we are not denying the importance of faith in Christ in any way. It is absolutely necessary, for without it, we will die in our sins (Jn. 8:24; Heb. 11:6). However, we must not get caught up in the false teaching that says that faith "alone" will save us, and we have nothing to do after that!

The salvation of man's eternal soul is the most important thing in this world (Matt. 16:26). Jesus came to die for us and save us (I Tim. 1:15). God has given us His word (II Tim. 3:16-17). Now, it is up to us to read, study, and obey this precious word (Eph. 3:4; II Tim. 2:15; Jas. 1:22-25; Matt. 7:21-23). When we do all he said to do, we are unprofitable servants (Lk. 17:10). Yet, for all of this, God loves us and has provided a plan we can follow and upon doing such, can be saved. Are you saved from your sins?

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