Are You Saved?

God’s Word tell us in 1 John 5:13

1John 5:13
These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.

John tells us he is writing to those who beleive on the name of the Son of God. Do you know that name? John also tells us the purpose of his writing. He want’s those who believe on the name of the Son of God to know that they have eternal life. Please review the verse again. Actually, most people do not know where they will spend enternity, and Jesus taught that most people are not going to Heaven but sadly, most peopel are going to Hell.

Matthew 7:13-14
Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat:
Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.

The broad road that many people travel is heading to desctrution. The narrow road that few find is the way to eternal life. How wonderful that you are reading these words right now! Certainly you are interested in learning what Jesus said about these two ways and specifically what he said about the way to eternal life. Jesus told us he came to a specific group of people. Here is another verse:

Mar 2:17

When Jesus heard it, he saith unto them, They that are whole have no need of the physician, but they that are sick: I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.

Jesus came to call a specific group of people to repentance. The word repentance means to turn. Webster’s 1828 dictionary defines repentance this way:

REPENT’ANCE, n.

1. Sorrow for any thing done or said; the pain or grief which a person experiences in consequence of the injury or inconvenience produced by his own conduct.

2. In theology, the pain, regret or affliction which a person feels on account of his past conduct, because it exposes him to punishment. This sorrow proceeding merely from the fear of punishment, is called legal repentance, as being excited by the terrors of legal penalties, and it may exist without an amendment of life.

3. Real penitence; sorrow or deep contrition for sin, as an offense and dishonor to God, a violation of his holy law, and the basest ingratitude towards a Being of infinite benevolence. This is called evangelical repentance, and is accompanied and followed by amendment of life.

Repentance is a change of mind, or a conversion from sin to God.

Jesus came to call sinners to repentance not righteous people. You see, those who feel they are justified do not think they need a savior. Many people believe they are generally good and have not committed anything worthy of punishment in Hell. Some churches even teach there is no such thing as eternal punishment. What does God say?

Rev 21:8

But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death.

This ugly list of sinful people who will have their part in the lake of fire includes liars. The fact is, all sin will eventually end up in hell, and no sin will be allowed in Heaven. The Bible teachers us in Romans that all people are sinners. Notice this from Romans:

Rom 3:23

For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;

Because all have sinned, then none can get to Heaven by their own deeds. The law of God is not a list of things to complete in order to get to Heaven, but rather a schoolmaster to bring us to the place where we realize our position. Remember, Jesus came to call the sinners to repentance. He did not come for those who are whole, but rather for those who are sick. If you admit you are a sinner in need of God’s help, then you have a wonderful perspective that allows you to consider God’s solution for your problem!

Rom 5:6-9

For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly.
For scarcely for a righteous man will one die: yet peradventure for a good man some would even dare to die.
But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.
Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him.

 

 

Once a person realizes their need to be saved, it is important to understand what to do. You must confess Jesus Christ as your Lord and believe in your heart that God raised Jesus from the dead. 

That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. (Romans 10:9)
For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. (Romans 10:10)