It’s what the rich young ruler asked Jesus when he was inquiring as to what he needed to do to be ‘saved’. (Matt 19)
‘Now when they heard this, they were cut to the heart and said to Peter…’what shall we do?”
It’s what those who were gathered and heard Peter and others preaching the gospel on the Day of Pentecost asked knowing they too needed to ‘do’ something to bring peace to their convicted hearts. (Acts 2)
And then there was the Phillipian jailer who witnessed the earthquake and the ensuing opening of prison doors and chains being loosed in the prison where Paul and Silas had been held. (Acts 16)
“Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” he asked them.
It’s a question that has been asked, analyzed, dissected, argued over and split churches for generations.
And the answers vary depending on whom you ask.
We have close to 400 ‘Christian denominations’ today, everyone building their own tower in to heaven but speaking a different language. Sounds like a tower we read about back in Genesis 11.
Depending on which recipe you subscribe to on what one must do to be ‘saved’, there the debate advances as to can you be ‘unsaved’, are you ‘eternally secure’ and never lose your salvation; or are you saved until you sin, then you are not saved, but then you are saved again when you repent or ‘rededicate’ your life…yada yada yada.
Gets confusing, does it not? God’s not the author of confusion. And He really didn’t make it that complicated. Man does. Religion does. Both aided by ‘doctrines of demons’ that Paul said would be responsible for leading people astray in the latter times. (1 Tim 4:1)
He also expressed concern that people would be led astray with ‘other gospels’ and follow ‘another Jesus’, being deceived in the same way Eve was in the Garden. (2 Cor 11:3-4)
That little drama offers so much simplified insight that it’s worth visiting on a regular basis. You know, sort of like how coaches study game films to see how their opponent operates? Gen 3 is the ultimate ‘game film’.
God said one thing. Satan (through the serpent) said another. It was always an attempt to undermined, twist, distort, and pervert what God said.
I know my post from yesterday was lengthy and quite a plate full. It may have well spooked a few readers off for awhile. All this talk about demons and unclean spirits and resisting the devil. Don’t think for a moment that I didn’t hear whispers chiding me that if I posted such a thing publicly that there would be some serious eye-rolling and laughing behind my back. But let me assure you, there is a real freedom when all you have to do is say what God says. I didn’t write those verses. He did.
So back to this idea of being ‘saved’. Allow me to offer this up for your prayerful consideration.
What exactly is it that one is ‘saved’ from?
Romans 5:9 says it is God’s wrath we are saved from.
And why is there wrath on the earth? Sin. God’s wrath and judgment and curse is on all that is sinful and unlike Him.
All have sinned and all men need to be ‘saved’.
John 3:36 states that those who don’t believe on the Son, the ‘wrath of God abides or remains on them.’
It is not the will of God for any to perish. (2 Pet 3:9)
Jesus said plainly, unless you repent, you will All perish. (Luke 13:1-5)
God wants all people to be saved. (1 Tim 2:4)
Jesus is the only way to be saved. (John 14:6)
God made a way for the whole world to escape His wrath and judgment by offering up His son to ‘pay’ for the sins of the whole world as a sacrifice. (John 3:16)
And by sending His son into the world, Jesus came not to condemn (because we were already condemned) but rather He came to lead us out of darkness and give us true life/salvation. (John 3:17)
So let’s lay aside all the religious calisthenics and see if we can’t simply this.
We are told throughout scripture that death and destruction and judgment and wrath are on the earth and will only increase. And in the same way that Noah built an ark, God has provided another ‘ark’. His name is Jesus and He wants you to abide in Him. But there are conditions. You have to lay aside your sinful selfish prideful heart and ways and surrender to His Lordship. On this ‘ark’ you are going to love God with all your heart and love others the same way He loved us.
Ha…this ‘ark’ is the ultimate ‘Love Boat’.
There’s not going to be any sin or selfishness allowed. Paul writes and warns us to not be deceived…that anyone who does such things, the wrath of God will come on them. (Eph 5:6)
And we don’t have to be the ‘God police’. He already has that under control.
Just Love Jesus and whatever he says to you, do it. ( John 2:5)
Quit trying to figure out if you are saved or not saved. Rather, ask yourself this: “Are you following Jesus?” If you love Him, you will do what He says. (John 14:15) Abide in Him, and His protective arm will surround you. (Ps 91) The fruit will be evident: Love, and Peace and Joy…
‘Doing what He says’ was illustrated by Jesus in Matt 7:24 as like a wise man who builds his house on the rock and when the floods come and beat against it, the house stood firm. But the one who hears His words, and does Not do them, is like a foolish man who builds his house on sand. The same flood comes and beats against that house and destroys it.
There is a flood coming and is already here. If your life is not firmly built on the Rock, you need to know your life is in peril. Jesus spoke at length regarding these times in Matt 24. He warned that with the increasing lawlessness (not doing what He says) that men’s hearts would begin to harden and the love of many would grow cold.
He said that many would be ‘offended’. Other translations suggest ‘stumble’ or ‘lose faith’ or be carried away or fall away’. Sounds like a ‘flood’ that takes people away and they don’t even realize it until after the fact. (Matt 24:39)
I don’t want to oversimplify this either. There will be a battle that rages within you.
Dying to self is not ‘easy’. And surrendering can be challenging, at best, if there are other things you are loving more than God.
But if you want true life and peace, lay aside those things and Get. In. The. Boat.
But you can’t have the ‘best of both worlds’. You have to choose. It’s always been about choosing…death or life, blessings or curses. You can’t serve two masters.
I don’t want to make too much out of these numbers, but in John 6:66, we read where ‘many of His disciples went back and walked with Him no more.”
Do you believe in your heart they were ‘saved’?
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