WHAT MUST I DO TO BE SAVED?
By W. N. G.
“Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved.” Acts 16:30, 31. Why then are not all men saved?—It is because they do not believe. “He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life; and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.” John 3:36. The whole question of salvation or condemnation hangs on individual belief or unbelief in the Lord Jesus Christ. The Lord is “not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.” 2 Peter 3:9. Moreover, “He is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by Him, seeing He ever liveth to make intercession for them.” Heb. 7:25. But “he that cometh to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him;” and “without faith it is impossible to please Him.” Chapter 11:6. Yet the skeptical mind, even when convinced of sin, even after conceding the fact, is often inclined to make excuse. He will insist on knowing certain things before exercising faith which can only be known through faith. The wisdom that he seeks is in the Word of God, and therefore can not be gained without a belief of the Word. Spiritual things are always the opposite of natural things; therefore, “the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God; for they are foolishness unto him; neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.” 1 Cor. 2:14. In natural things we must understand before accepting; that is natural. But in spiritual things belief comes first. The Gospel of Christ is “the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, ‘The just shall live by faith.’” Rom. 1:16, 17. From belief comes obedience; Christ “became the Author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey Him.” Heb. 5:9. Through obedience comes the understanding of spiritual things; the psalmist says, “A good understanding have all they that do His commandments.” Ps. 111:10. The apostle Paul says, “Let the Word of4Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom.” Col. 3:16. Then “all wisdom” is in the Word, so that all knowledge of spiritual things must come through implicit belief of God’s Word, looking for understanding to come afterward. From this standpoint, and this alone, may the unbeliever find answer to many of his skeptical questions. For instance:— How can I know that there is a God?—“The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament showeth His handiwork.” Ps. 19:1. “No man hath seen God at any time; the only-begotten Son, which is in the bosom of the Father, He hath declared Him.” John 1:18. Again, “The invisible things of Him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made.” Rom. 1:20. The Gospel record, which is the Word of God, being indicted by the Holy Spirit, was “written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God” (John 20:31), and “blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed” (John 20:29). How can I get the Holy Spirit?—“Ask, and it shall be given you. . . . If a son shall ask bread of any of you that is a father, will he give him a stone? . . . If ye, then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children; how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask Him?” Luke 11:9–13. “Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.” Acts 2:38. How can I know that I have the Holy Spirit?—By its fruit. “The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, long-suffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance.” Gal. 5:22, 23. “For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit, the things of the Spirit.” Rom. 8:5. How can I know that my sins are forgiven?—“He that covereth his sins shall not prosper; but whoso confesseth and forsaketh them shall have mercy.” Prov. 28:13. “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” 1 John 1:9. “What things soever ye desire, when ye pray, believe that ye receive them, and ye shall have them. And when ye stand praying, forgive, if ye have aught against any; that your Father also which is in heaven may forgive you your trespasses. But if ye do not forgive, neither will your Father which is in heaven forgive your trespasses.” Mark 11:24–26. There are many other questions that unbelievers desire to have answered to their satisfaction outside of the Word of God; but their curiosity never can be gratified. There is but one road to true wisdom,—the knowledge of God, which is eternal life (John 17:3),—and that is through belief of His Word.