HOW TO BE SAVED Lesson 5 for August 2, 2014

“And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life.” (John 3:14-15) The salvation Jesus fulfilled at the cross is available to us under certain condition. Which are the steps to be saved? 1.Recognizing my need. 2.Repenting. 3.Believing in Jesus. 4.Accepting Jesus’ righteousness. 5.Following Jesus.

“And when He [the Helper] has come, He will convict the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment.” (John 16:8) Jesus was accused of relating to sinners. Jesus replied, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners, to repentance.” (Luke 5:31-32) We look for a doctor when we are sick. In the same way, we look for salvation only if we feel sinners. The Holy Spirit works in our conscience to make us aware of our sins. He generates a deep feel of guilt. That guilt makes us long for a Savior. If we don’t obey Him, we harden our heart against the Holy Spirit. We then stop hearing His voice little by little.

“Then Peter said to them, ‘Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.’” (Acts 2:38) True repentance involves three main steps: 1.Recognizing we have sinned. 2.Feeling shame of having done so. 3.Sincerely wanting to not sin anymore. “We do not repent in order that God may love us, but He reveals to us His love in order that we may repent.” We have a natural tendency to try to excuse our sins; not to regret them. Repentance is a gift from God, actually (Romans 2:4). E.G.W. (Christ’s Object Lessons, pg. 189) Recognizing our sins is not enough to be saved. Repentance must follow. Jesus said, “Unless you repent you will all likewise perish.” (Luke 13:3)

“So they said, ‘Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved, you and your household.’” (Acts 16:31) Recognizing the sin and repenting are essential steps, but they can’t save anyone. We must have faith and totally believe in Jesus and His sacrifice for us. The saving power of faith comes from the God we believe, not from the believer. That is also a gift from God (Ephesians 2:8)

“A nominal faith in Christ, which accepts Him merely as the Saviour of the world, can never bring healing to the soul. The faith that is unto salvation is not a mere intellectual assent to the truth. He who waits for entire knowledge before he will exercise faith, cannot receive blessing from God. It is not enough to believe about Christ; we must believe in Him. The only faith that will benefit us is that which embraces Him as a personal Saviour; which appropriates His merits to ourselves. Many hold faith as an opinion. Saving faith is a transaction by which those who receive Christ join themselves in covenant relation with God. Genuine faith is life. A living faith means an increase of vigor, a confiding trust, by which the soul becomes a conquering power.” E.G.W. (The Desire of Ages, cp. 36, pg. 347)

“But when the king came in to see the guests, he saw a man there who did not have on a wedding garment. So he said to him, ‘Friend, how did you come in here without a wedding garment?’ And he was speechless. Then the king said to the servants, ‘Bind him hand and foot, take him away, and cast him into outer darkness; there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth.’” (Matthew 22:11-13) We cannot enter the Kingdom of Heaven without the right garment. What is that garment? Isaiah said, “He [God] has clothed me with the garments of salvation, He has covered me with the robe of righteousness.” (Isaiah 61:10) We are spiritually naked. Putting salvation on means to accept Jesus’ righteousness instead of our own. “For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.” (2 Corinthians 5:21)

“Then Jesus said to those Jews who believed Him, ‘If you abide in My word, you are My disciples indeed.’” (John 8:31) 1.Remaining in His Word.  Living according to the “sound doctrine” that is found in the Bible (Titus 2:1) 2.Being His disciples.  Following Jesus’ example, loving Him above all things and talking about Him to others (1 John 2:6; Matthew 10:37; Matthew 28:19-20) 1.Remaining in His Word.  Living according to the “sound doctrine” that is found in the Bible (Titus 2:1) 2.Being His disciples.  Following Jesus’ example, loving Him above all things and talking about Him to others (1 John 2:6; Matthew 10:37; Matthew 28:19-20)

Recognizing my need. God convicts us of sin (John 16:8). Repenting. God leads us to repentance (Romans 2:4). Believing in Jesus. God gives the faith to believe (Ephesians 2:8). Accepting Jesus’ righteousness. God clothes us with His righteousness (Isaiah 61:10). Following Jesus. God prepares the good works we follow (Ephesians 2:10). There’s absolutely nothing we can do to gain, pay or deserve salvation. Everything is in God’s hands. “for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure.” (Philippians 2:13)