By Greg Holt
“13 Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: 14 because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.” Matthew 7:13-14
The topic of Heaven, or salvation, brings out many wide-ranging opinions on the subject. The thing is, opinions will never get anyone to Heaven.
There is a lot of “religious” misinformation out there, and this false information is believed by so many people. Many are the people who refer to themselves as “Christians,” but yet have no idea what a Christian even is, let alone even a basic knowledge of how one is saved.
How We Are Not Saved
An overwhelming abundance of people are thoroughly confused over how they become saved, or, in other words, how they receive salvation. Yet others believe that there are many ways to Heaven. This most definitely includes people who are in the Church unfortunately.
Many have been taught some form of works-based salvation. The idea is simple enough, if you perform well enough, you will be saved. Well, what exactly does one have to do? Who determines when you have done enough to be saved? Your pastor, your church, a council, you, Jesus?
You can help others until your fingers bleed, you can do good things with every spare moment you have, you can give very generously of your money – none of this will save you. One can be sure to attend church every week, help out in various ministries, donate generously, teach others about Jesus, even lead the church or help in doing so. All of these things are works, and works will not ever save you. Works without first being saved are worthless (Isaiah 64:6).
You can love others like no one else ever has, you might even be the most loving person anyone has ever met – it won’t save you.
You can’t pray enough, love enough, work enough, or follow any set of rules (Mosaic law, church tradition etc.) well enough to ever be saved. There is literally nothing on this Earth you can do to be saved, nothing (Ephesians 2:8-9).
Trusting in Me
You see, all of the above has a serious flaw in it, you are trusting in self – in order to be saved, to get to Heaven, and that will never work. It can’t work. Why?
Let’s look at a brutal, but necessary truth, ask yourself this question – what is it that God needs from you? Is there anything at all that you can actually give to God, that He has need of? God doesn’t need your help, your money, your opinion, or your time – He doesn’t need you, or anyone else for any reason whatsoever. Brutal, uncomfortable etc., maybe, but true nonetheless.
How We Are Saved
How we, anyone, can become saved is actually pretty simple. There is no test, there is nothing physical that has to be done, there is no list of requirements period.
Do you want to be saved? There is only one thing that has to be done, and that is – believe in Jesus Christ. Yes, it really is that simple.
“And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.” Acts 16:31
“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.” Romans 10:9
Although as I said, God doesn’t need us, He desires us to be with Him, big difference.
Other Considerations
Of course, in order to believe that we need Jesus, we first need to believe that we are sinful, and in need of forgiveness, that we have a need to be saved (Romans 3:23).
One has to believe that one needs saving in the first place as mentioned, and then one also needs to believe that the only one who can save you, is Jesus (John 3:14-18). Then too, it is needful to believe that Jesus died on the cross for you, and that He was raised to life again.
Knowing who Jesus is won’t save anyone, after all, the demons know exactly who Jesus is, and they will not be saved. One has to believe in Jesus, honestly and truly (Matthew 7:21).
Sure, there are things the Lord wants from you, like the previously mentioned details – loving others, giving of your time and money, etc., but those things won’t save you, and they have no value until after you are saved (James 2:14-26).
Final Thought
There is only one way to heaven, to obtain salvation, to be forgiven, to be saved, however you desire to term it – and that way is Jesus Christ. No other “god” will save you.
“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
“Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.” Acts 4:12
More articles on salvation:
Christ the Fire of Affliction: the Pathway to Salvation
The Must Read Interview with Satan – How to be Saved
Heaven is for the Forgiven – not the Perfect
Categories: Bible Study, gospel of Christ, Updates from ICB News
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