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“Can One Do Anything To Be Saved?”
Categories: Faith, SalvationCan One Do Anything To Be Saved?
Jarrod Jacobs
The above question can be difficult to answer if we do not first explain what we mean. What do we mean when we ask, “Can one do anything to be saved?”
If we mean can one do something to be saved wherein that act alone saves him, then the answer is “no.” If we are asking whether or not one can be saved based upon somehow earning salvation, the answer is “no.” If one is asking whether or not one can be saved independently of the blood of Christ, the answer is “no.”
However, if we are asking whether or not God has commanded man to obey something in order to be saved, then the answer is “yes.” God has told man that he needs to believe that Christ is the Son of God or die in his sins (Jn. 8:24). One must repent of his past sins (Lk. 13:3). One must also confess Christ before men (Rom. 10:10). Then, one must be baptized in order to have his sins remitted (Acts 2:38).
Yet, when one obeys, he has not “earned” anything, but has simply done what God said to do (Lk. 17:10). Man is not justified by “faith only” (Jas. 2:24). It not only takes faith but also doing what God has said to do (Godly works, I Jn. 3:7). God has sent His Son (Jn. 3:16); Jesus Christ died for us (Matt. 20:28); and the Holy Spirit has revealed God’s will to us (II Pet. 1:20-21). God has done all He is going to do. It is now up to us to follow God’s revealed will so that we might be saved. Yes, we have something to do. Let’s get busy!
