Will You Be Saved?
The above question is a searching one. How do you answer the question? Can we prove the answer we give to be correct by the Word of God? Nearly all men believe that they will be saved, or enjoy happiness after this life is over, but few can tell where, or how. The idea prevails with some that all men, or at least all they think to be good men, will be saved some way or another. The idea seems to be that if one thinks he ought to be saved, then he will be saved. That God is obligated to take him because he believes he is all right. Can such ideas be proved by the Word of God? The Bible says: "There is a way that seemeth right unto a man but the end thereof are the ways of death." (Prov. 14:12) Men need to realize that the salvation of the soul is not some hit or miss affair. Salvation is conditional. God has set forth the conditions of salvation and the man who thinks he can be saved without meeting the conditions deceives himself.
In some quarters of the religious world the sentiment prevails that salvation is wholly of God, and man has nothing to do in being saved. This sentiment is not found in any "quarter" or verse of the Bible. Inspired men taught that salvation is conditional, and they never promised salvation to anyone short of the conditions. No one has the right to hold out the hope of salvation to any man who fails to obey Christ. Jesus saves those who obey Him. (Heb. 5:8-9) Paul teaches that to whom we yield ourselves to obey, his servants we are whom we obey, "whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness." (Rom. 6:16-17) We are servants of Christ, and are saved by Him, not when we just do something, but when we do what He has commanded. Jesus said: "If ye love me ye will keep my commandments." (John 15:14)
On the day of Pentecost (Acts 2), men were convicted of their sins by the preaching of Peter. The Bible says: "When they heard this they were pricked in their hearts and cried out saying, men and brethren what shall we do?" (Acts 2:37) They were convicted by the words Peter preached. They cried out when they heard. "Faith cometh by hearing and hearing by the Word of God." (Rom. 10:17) The question 'What shall we do,", simply means what shall we do to be saved. Peter did not say, "Do nothing." Peter did not teach the error that salvation is wholly of God, hence man has nothing to do in being saved. Nor did Peter say: "Friends, it makes no difference what you do. Just do what you think is right. I'm not narrow minded so you go your way and I'll go mine." This is the modern preachers' spiel, but it has no endorsement from the Word of God. Peter was guided by the Spirit into all truth. (John 16:13) This enabled him to guide others. "It is not in man that walketh to direct his steps." (Jet 10:23) Hence, God was speaking through the apostle and giving him the power to guide men. Peter said unto them, "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) These are the conditions of salvation as set forth by a man approved of God. Is this the way your preacher answers the question? If not, who gave him the authority to change the Word of God? God has revealed what we are to believe and do to be saved; have we obeyed?
In answer to the question, "Will you be saved," how do you answer? Can you show you have hope of salvation short of obedience to Christ? Obedience to Christ is not only to be evident on the part of an alien sinner seeking salvation from past sins, but must also be evident on the part of a child of God seeking salvation eternally in heaven. Salvation is conditional to the child of God as well as to the alien sinner. "Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven but he that doeth the will of my Father who is in heaven." (Matt. 7:21) Only those — aliens or children — who do the will of God which is revealed to them in the New Testament will enter the eternal kingdom. Hence, "Be doers of the Word and not hearers only deceiving your own selves." (Jas 2:22)