HOW CAN I BE SAVED?
You cannot save yourself by being a good person, doing good works, going to church, or trying harder. You have sinned against God and need His forgiveness.
Jesus Christ, the Son of God, came into the world to save sinners. He lived without sin, died on the cross for our sins, was buried, and rose again from the dead.
God commands you to repent and believe the gospel. Turn from your sin and turn to Jesus Christ. Trust in Him—not in yourself—as your Lord and Savior.
“Repent ye, and believe the gospel.”
— Mark 1:15
“Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved.”
— Acts 16:31
Salvation is not earned. It is the gift of God, received by grace through faith in Jesus Christ.
“For by grace are ye saved through faith… not of works, lest any man should boast.”
— Ephesians 2:8–9
YOU MUST BE BORN AGAIN
Jesus did not say that you merely need religion.
He did not say you simply need to become a nicer person.
He said:
“Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.”
— John 3:3
Salvation is not merely cleaning up the outside of your life.
God must change you from within.
You must be reconciled to the God against whom you have sinned.
You must be forgiven.
You must be born again.
WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO BE BORN AGAIN?
To be born again means that God gives a spiritually dead sinner new spiritual life through the Holy Spirit. It is not simply becoming religious, turning over a new leaf, or trying harder to be a better person.
Jesus told Nicodemus, a very religious man:
“Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.”
— John 3:3
The Bible says that because of sin, we are spiritually dead and need God to make us alive.
“And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins.”
— Ephesians 2:1
Being born again is an inward work of God through the Holy Spirit. He gives you a new heart, new desires, and a new life.
“A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you.”
— Ezekiel 36:26
The Bible calls this regeneration and renewal by the Holy Ghost.
“According to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost.”
— Titus 3:5
When you are born again, you become a new creation in Jesus Christ.
“Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.”
— 2 Corinthians 5:17
Being born again does not mean that you will never sin again. But your relationship with sin changes. You no longer desire to live in rebellion against God. There is conviction of sin, repentance, and a growing desire to follow and obey Jesus Christ.
The new birth is not accomplished by baptism, church membership, good works, repeating a prayer, or becoming more religious. God must change you from the inside.
The Bible says that the new birth comes through the Word of God:
“Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God.”
— 1 Peter 1:23
To be born again is to be made spiritually alive by God—to turn from sin to Jesus Christ in repentance and faith, receive a new heart through the Holy Spirit, and begin a new life following Him.
DO NOT PUT IT OFF
You are not promised tomorrow.
“Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away.”
— James 4:14
The question is not whether you will one day stand before God.
You will.
The question is:
Will you stand before Him still bearing the guilt of your sin, or forgiven through Jesus Christ?
“Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.”
— 2 Corinthians 6:2
You must be saved because you have sinned, judgment is coming, you cannot save yourself, and Jesus Christ is the only Savior.
Do not trust in your goodness.
Do not trust in your religion.
Do not trust in a prayer you once prayed.
Trust in Jesus Christ.
Forsake your sin. Trust in and obey Jesus Christ. Be born again.