What You Need to Be Saved Now & Forever

Sharing is caring!

Have you ever wondered what people commonly believe they need to be saved … to go to heaven?

Here are a few replies I found through a brief internet search.

1. I’m a good person, and a good God would not send a good person to hell.
2. I’ve said the sinner’s prayer and believe in Jesus.
3. I’m religious and very involved in my local church.
4. I follow ________, and all paths lead to God.
5. I can’t be saved, I’ve done too many terrible things.

This is what Jesus told His disciples before His ascension to heaven…

“Go into all the world and preach the Good News to everyone. Anyone who believes and is baptized will be saved. But anyone who refuses to believe will be condemned.”

Mark 16:15–16

Paul wrote in his letter to the Romans…

So we are made right with God through faith and not by obeying the law.

If we emphasize faith, does this mean that we can forget about the law? Of course not! In fact, only when we have faith do we truly fulfill the law.

Romans 3:31

What do people need to be saved?

They need faith!

Paul continued…

“Abraham believed God, and God counted him as righteous because of his faith.”

Romans 4:3

Based on Abraham’s life, let’s look at what it means to have faith like Abraham.

♥ Abraham KNEW GOD!

The Lord had said to Abram, “Leave your native country, your relatives, and your father’s family, and go to the land that I will show you. I will make you into a great nation. I will bless you…

Genesis 12:1–2

♥ Abraham LOVED, TRUSTED, and OBEYED GOD!

So, Abram departed as the Lord had instructed.

Genesis 12:4a

Faith is KNOWing, LOVING, TRUSTing, and OBEYing God through Jesus. It is believing that Jesus is our Lord and Savior. It is being confident that He suffered our punishment to make us righteous before a gracious and merciful God.

The Bible tells us that when the thief on the cross believed and said, “Jesus, remember me when you come into your Kingdom.” Luke 23:42

Jesus replied, “I assure you, today you will be with me in paradise.” Luke 23:43

I’ve concluded that it is my job to “work out [my own] salvation with reverence and fear” (Philippians 2:12). It is not my job to judge anyone else’s salvation status.

You and I have been given the assignment of trusting and obeying God by loving Him, and loving our neighbors, demonstrating and witnessing to them the Good News about Jesus, God’s grace, mercy, and love in human form.

Paul believed and…

Abraham believed in the God who brings the dead back to life and who creates new things out of nothing.

Romans 4:17

And by God’s grace, you and I can believe…

God takes our dead spiritual lives and creates a right relationship with Him through the gift of faith. (v.13)

After listing people who “lived by faith,” the writer of Hebrews tells us how to live by faith…

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith.

Hebrews 12:1–2

What do we need to be saved? We need to focus on Jesus in faith, knowing that He will give us everything we need to trust and obey.

Let’s pray…

A Prayer to Know and Live
What I Need to Be Saved

Heavenly Father, You alone are worthy of all my worship and praise. I am a sinner who deserves to be punished for the sins I commit and the love I fail to show. I don’t deserve Your mercy and grace.

Yet, because of Your love, You gave Jesus to suffer my punishment for me. Your Word says that You want everyone to be saved and come to know the truth. (1 Timothy 2:4) And the truth is found in Jesus … the Way, the Truth, and the Life. (John 14:6)

I repent of my many sinful thoughts, words, and actions. I am sorry for failing to faithfully obey Your will. Please forgive me.

Like Peter proclaimed, I believe, “Jesus is the One … There is salvation in no one else! [Father, You have] given no other name under heaven by which we must be saved.” (Acts 4:12)

I surrender myself to You. I offer my heart, health, home, relationships, work, wealth … all that I am and have to You. Please give me everything I need to trust and obey Your will. I love You and believe Your grace is sufficient for every part of my life.

Thank you for Jesus. Grant me the courage to speak the truth about our Savior and Your will. Help me share Your love with gentleness and respect, and give me all I need to proclaim Your power to change lives, and give us everything we need to be saved.

I pray this in the glorious name of Jesus. Amen.

When you and I love someone, we want to please them to show them that love. Trusting and obeying God shows Him how much we love Him.

Remember, Jesus said, “If you love me, you will keep my commandments.” (John 14:15)

No, we will never obey Him perfectly this side of heaven, but because we love Him, we will never give up or give in.

God will also count us as righteous if we believe in Him, the one who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead. He was handed over to die because of our sins, and He was raised to life to make us right with God.

Romans 4:24–25

So, what do we need to be saved? We need faith in Jesus! Faith that SEEKS, KNOWS, LOVES, TRUSTS, and OBEYS.

We would love to pray for you.
You can leave your prayer requests here…

and even take a few minutes to pray over the list left by our friends.

Never Miss an Update

Leave your email address and I’ll send you a short email every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday to alert you to each new devotion. Plus you’ll receive a copy of 30 Ways to Bless Your Marriage and Keep the Spark Burning

I always enjoy hearing from you! Please take a minute to say ‘hi” and share your thoughts in the comments below.

And if this article blessed or helped you today — would you share it with someone? Maybe a friend, family member, coworker, or through the links below…

Thanks again for visiting! Don’t forget to check out the links below to find additional posts that will bless you…

Sharing is caring!