Question: What exactly does it mean to be “saved” by accepting Jesus and His Gospel? Is this the only way to heaven after death?
Answer: To be “saved,” one must be saved for and from something. When a person accepts the invitation from God to follow Jesus Christ, he or she is set apart or saved for eternal life in heaven and from punishment forever in hell for the sins committed in this life. Long ago, Jesus offered Himself as a sacrifice for the sins of mankind, paying with His own suffering and death, and was resurrected three days later. Now that Jesus has completed the payment for men’s and women’s sins, all they must do is acknowledge this by accepting or receiving this wonderful gift and committing to follow Jesus for the rest of their lives. This saving of their eternal souls is referred to as salvation. We are assured of these truths by the Bible, God’s record He has given to us to learn from and to use to help others to know of Him and His great love for the people He created. The term “gospel” means truth, and the gospel of Jesus Christ is the truth of His substitutionary death or “atonement” for the sins of mankind. The gospel of the cross is not a product of human reason, it’s a revelation from God, preserved in the holy scriptures. Here is more to help you understand the gospel.
Jesus – Centerpiece of the Gospel
Many ask, is accepting Jesus as “Savior,” or the one who saved us, the only way to enter heaven some day? Yes, for If there had been ANY other way than to cause Jesus to suffer and die as He did, God would have accomplished it. Jesus spoke of Himself as the only way, like a “narrow gate” to pass through when you believe in Him.
“Enter by the narrow gate. For the gate is wide and the way is easy that leads to destruction, and those who enter by it are many. But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.” Matthew 7:13-14
Jesus – Sacrificial Lamb of God
Many people don’t realize that God had a plan to redeem people from the very beginning!
The account of the first people in Genesis foreshadows Jesus’ future sacrifice of Himself. We can read of the shedding of blood as a necessity for sins in the Garden of Eden. Because Adam and Eve disobeyed God and then lied about it, they needed forgiveness in order to restore their relationship with God. To accomplish this, God provided a payment of blood for their wrongs by killing animals for the first time to clothe them to cover the results of their sins.
Some have reasoned that good works and moral behavior will be enough for admittance into heaven, but this is false and not at all what the Bible teaches. Others have figured that they can earn their way into eternity in heaven by good deeds or through suffering in some way. Sadly, they are mistaken, and waste their time doing good works for the purpose of gaining points with God when it is not what He requires.
“For what does it profit a man to gain the whole world and yet lose his own soul?” Jesus in Mark 8:36
Jesus – Only Path to Heaven
The Bible says salvation is in Christ alone! Jesus said to the temple leaders in John 7:33-34, “Because you believe not in Me, you’ll die in your sins, and where I go, you’ll never be allowed to come.”
Jesus also said, “I am the Way, the Truth and the Life, no man comes unto the Father but by Me.” John 14:6
“Neither is there salvation in any other. There is no other name under heaven given among men whereby we must be saved.” Acts 4:12
Believing in Jesus is truly the only way to be saved. There’s no other Savior, and no other gods.
There’s only one Mediator, said Paul: “There’s only one Mediator between God and man, the Man Christ Jesus, who gave Himself as a ransom for all people…” I Timothy 2:5-6
The Bible warns that any other way to heaven except through faith in Jesus is a cruel lie and is circulated throughout the world by demonic forces. Demons are behind all false religions. They are behind all philosophical and religious systems. 2 Corinthians 10:5 says they’re behind “every argument and every lofty thing lifted up against the knowledge of God.” Any anti-God idea is demonic. Anything that’s untrue about God, anything that’s unbiblical, is demonic in its source, though it will always be quite cleverly disguised as light and truth.
Jesus – Creator of All Things
Jesus is one of the Trinity of God – Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, – who created the world. He referred to Himself as the “Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End.” (Revelation 22:13) “I am the Alpha and the Omega,” says the Lord God, “who is, and who was, and who is to come, the Almighty.” Revelation 1:8
The coming of Jesus into the world was the most important event in human history! His story is unlike any other. He was born of a virgin, never sinned during His life, suffered and died as a substitute for all men, returned to life, appeared to many people, and ascended into heaven. He is there right now!
Jesus – The “Word”
“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. By Him were all things made; without Him was not anything made that was made. In Him was life; and the life was the light of men.” John 1:1-4
This “Word” reference is one of the most intriguing scripture references, along with this one:
“For in Him all things were created, things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things have been created through Him and for Him. He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together.” Colossians 1:16-17
The world at its best, at its highest point of religious achievement and its wisest level, can’t come to know God. God meant to save all those who believe. So, he designed a miraculous way! The gospel, or true message from God, goes back to the cross in verse 18.
To put it plainly, the only way you’re going to be saved is by believing this truth about the cross. That’s the only way. God’s plan – from the beginning – was that the world through its own human wisdom couldn’t come to know Him. People would have to put their trust and faith only in Him. This promise of God’s acceptance and forgiveness is a free gift!
“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by our works so that we can never brag about achieving it.” Ephesians 2:8-9
Are you ready to put your life in His hands, admit your wrongs, and enter into a right relationship with Jesus? This is the MOST IMPORTANT decision you will ever make during your life.
Say or pray this:
Dear God, I know that I have done so many wrong things. I’m very sorry for all my sins against you and others. I haven’t cared about anyone but myself. I am selfish and make foolish choices. I need you to save me from myself before I destroy my life and waste the many opportunities you have just waiting for me. Please forgive me! I believe Jesus Christ is your Son, that He died on a cross to take the punishment for my sins. You raised Him up to live again, and I know He is ready to guide me for the remainder of my life. I want him to take control of my heart and mind from this day forward so that I will always know the right path to take and have His strength to do it. Thank you!!
“If you declare with your mouth that Jesus is Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you’ll be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess your faith and are saved.” Paul in Romans 10:9-11
