Chapter 4
How To Get Saved
How may we get saved and know that, we are saved? The greatest question ever asked by a human being was asked by the Philippian Jailer, when he asked Paul and Silas, “What must I do to be saved?” Every person is either saved or lost. But what does it mean to be saved? It means to be saved from all sin, with all its wickeddesires, habits and conduct; and, to be forgiven for all our past sins against God, ourselves and all others. It means to be saved from all the condemnation and corruption of sin, and adopted into God’s family. “The wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life, through Jesus Christ ourLord,” who died that we might live. Sin brings forth death, but grace brings forth life and peace.
There are two parts to our getting saved, namely: God’s part, and our part. God convicts us for our sins, then saves us, after we repent and trust Him.
Conviction for sin comes to our hearts when the Holy Spirit awakens us and makes us realize how wicked and sinful we are; and that we are ruined and lost without God’s salvation.After God shows us what a wicked and lost sinner we are, then we must repent of all our sins, and look up and trust Him to save us from all our sins. What do we mean by repentance? Sin is rebellion against God, inspired by the devil. Repentance is the reversal of that rebellion to contrition, submission and confidence in God.”Repent for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” “Except ye repent ye will all likewise perish.”Contrition for sin means great sorrow and remorse for all our past sinful life and conduct. “Godly sorrow worketh repentance.” We feel so sinful and wicked before God and man, and unworthy of the love of either.
Contrition and sorrow for sin naturally produces the confession of, and for our sins to God and all others we have sinned against. This includes restitution, or the paying for all that we have stolen from others, or cheated them out of; and confession for all unkind words, slander, etc.
Then we must hate and forsake all sin. “Good-bye, old world, I’m through.” We abhor the old sin life, and turn and flee from It, crying for mercy. Repentance alone will not save us, but it does bring us to the place where God can, and will, save us. We must confess and forsake our sins before God can forgive us of our sins.
After our repentance is real and complete, we must trust God to save us. There are two reasons why we must trust God to save us: First, because we cannot save ourselves; second,because God can and will save us. We do not have to persuade God to save us, but let Him save us. When we uncover our sins, he will cover them by the blood of Jesus. “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us of our sins.” God loves us and wants to forgive us. “For God so loved the world that he gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.”
Faith is the final and only condition of salvation. Repentance reverses our rebellious attitude and enables us to trust God. Faith and trust restores us to favor and fellowship with God.He made us to trust and love Him. “Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.” “He that cometh to God must believe that He is; and that He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him.” There is every reason to trust God, and not one reason to doubt Him. When we get to the place where God can trust us, it is not hard to trust Him. He is able and willing to save us, for He loved us so much that He gave His son to die for us.
Oh seeking soul, if you have repented and forsaken all your sins, look up right now and trust Him with all your heart, and He will save you this very moment, and write your name down in heaven, and make you a new creature in Christ Jesus, and you will know that you are saved.”Praise God from whom all blessings flow!” “The Spirit Himself beareth witness with our spirit that we are the children of God.” “We know that we have passed from death unto life,” free from all storm and strife. We have the witness within, that we are now saved from all sin. The greatest thing in the world is the most real thing in the world, our own, personal salvation. Read the bookof I John, and watch the word “know.” It is not a “hope-so,” but a “know-so” salvation.