Now that we are able to explain how salvation was provided for, we must learn how a person accepts this salvation. The work and person of Jesus Christ have provided salvation, but does that automatically make everyone saved? Scripture teaches that clearly that is not the case. Regarding salvation, Jesus said, “Enter through the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the way is broad that leads to destruction, and there are many who enter through it. For the gate is small and the way is narrow that leads to life, and there are few who find it” (Matthew 7:13-14). He also said, “many are called, but few are chosen” (Matthew 22:14). The salvation call is offered to everyone, but not everyone accepts it. The question is; how do we accept it?
First, we must be willing to admit our sinfulness and turn from it. We must repent. Repentance is the first thing asked for as both John the Baptist and Jesus began preaching salvation (Matthew 3:1-2, 4:17; Mark 1:4; Luke 3:3). In fact, the apostle John taught that, “If we say that we have no sin, we are deceiving ourselves and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar and His word is not in us” (1 John 1:8-10). The condition of forgiveness is “if we confess our sins.” Without a willingness to repent of our sins, there can be no salvation. We must first repent.
After repentance, we must put our faith in Christ. Many people know the verse that reveals this condition. Jesus said, “whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life” (John 3:16). However, he also goes on to say, “He who believes in Him is not judged; he who does not believe has been judged already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God (John 3:18). It is further clarified in the Scriptures that we are justified by the Lord through faith (Romans 5:1-2; Galatians 2:15-16).
Faith in Christ is not just blind faith in something that presents no evidence. Faith in Christ is placing your trust in him for your salvation. Trusting that he was who he said he was and what he did provided for your salvation. Scripture teaches clearly that if someone is a true believer, they will accept Jesus as the Christ (Matthew 16:15-19; 1 John 5:1, 20), the Son of God (Matthew 16:15-19; 1 John 4:15, 5:5, 10-13, 20), both God (Colossians 1:19-23, 2:9-12; 2 John 9) and man (Colossians 1:19-23; 1 John 4:1-3; 2 John 9). If we do not embrace Jesus as these, then we are not embracing the true Jesus and not embracing true salvation. We must embrace the true Christ and we must trust in his work for our salvation. Jesus died on the cross for our sins and rose from the dead to establish the resurrection for all that believe. By putting our trust in Christ, his death (Romans 3:21-26; Ephesians 2:13-18; Colossians 1:19-23, 2:9-12; 1 Peter 1:17-19), and his resurrection (Romans 10:8-10; 1 Corinthians 15:12-19; 1 Peter 1:3-5, 3:21-22) we receive salvation.
Thirdly, we must have a personal relationship with Jesus. This is not something that was made up by evangelicals. Jesus taught this concept himself. He explained that one of the reasons that those who are condemned will be condemned is that Jesus, “never knew” them (Matthew 7:23). In John 15:1-11, Jesus continues to teach this concept of being in a relationship with Christ when he says, “If anyone does not abide in Me, he is thrown away as a branch and dries up, and they gather them, and cast them into the fire and they are burned (John 15:6). John also taught this same concept (1 John 5:20). A person who has truly embraced salvation has embraced a relationship with Jesus Christ.
Lastly, we must embrace the authority or lordship of Christ. Not that we will ever be completely without sin, but the general direction of our lives should be towards obedience towards Christ. Jesus laid out this condition when he said, “If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love; just as I have kept My Father’s commandments and abide in His love” (John 15:10). A true believer will surrender in obedience to the authority of Christ (Romans 6, 7:4-6, 8:1-25, 10:8-10; Ephesians 2:8-9; Philippians 2:9-11; James 2:14-16). Again, not that we will be completely without sin, because Scripture teaches that we will need continual confession (James 5:16), but our general direction should be obedience. The person who believes they are going to heaven because of a so-called faith in Christ yet they absolutely refuse to refrain from a particular sin is deceived. Those who are not under the authority of Christ will not be saved.
We will not be able to lead someone to Christ if we do not know how to correctly embrace Christ ourselves. We see that to embrace salvation means that we are admitting our sinful nature and repenting, believing in Christ and his work, coming to know Christ personally, and surrendering to his authority. This is the person who is a true believer and truly saved. We must present this message clearly to others. By doing this, we become a witness of the gospel message.
