What must I do to be saved?

In the New Testament, a jailer at Philippi also asked, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” (Acts 16:30). Paul and Silas answered, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved” (Acts 16:31).

 

What does it mean to believe in the Lord Jesus? First, it means that being saved comes through faith, not works. Ephesians 2:8-9 clearly teaches, “For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.” Salvation is a free gift available by God’s grace through faith. To believe, you must accept that Jesus is the eternal Son of God who died as a substitutionary sacrifice for our sins and three days later rose from the dead. When you do, your sins are forgiven and you receive eternal life.

 

What does it mean to say Jesus is Lord? Lord was a term that referred to Jesus as the promised divine Messiah that God the Father would send to earth. Believing in Jesus as Lord means accepting Jesus as more than a good example or even a prophet—it is accepting His claim to be God’s Son, the Messiah.

 

What will you be saved from? The Bible is clear that every person has sinned (Romans 3:23). These sins separate us from God and deserve spiritual death (Romans 6:23). Those who die apart from Christ receive eternal separation from God in hell (Matthew 25:46). The difference between being saved and not being saved is the difference between eternity with the Lord in heaven and eternity apart from Him in hell. As a result, every person stands in desperate need of salvation.

 

The essential message one believes to be saved can be found in Romans 10:9: “if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.” It involves accepting Jesus as God’s Son and faith that Jesus has been resurrected from the dead.

 

Are you willing to place your faith in Jesus Christ as your Savior and receive this free gift of eternal life? If so, follow through with the decision right now. There is no special prayer you must pray to do so. However, the following prayers are a few examples of prayers you can pray to accept Jesus Christ as your Savior:

 

“Dear God, I realize I am a sinner and could never reach heaven by my own good deeds. Right now I place my faith in Jesus Christ as God’s Son who died for my sins and rose from the dead to give me eternal life. Please forgive me of my sins and help me to live for you. Thank you for accepting me and giving me eternal life.”

 

Dear Jesus, I’m praying this prayer because I know that I have done wrong by living without You. I am sorry and I trust that You will forgive me. I accept Your love and grace for me and ask that You would be my Lord. Help me believe in You and love You every day, and help me to show the world what You are like and how great Your love is.
In Jesus’ name, amen.