Many of us grew up in congregations where 'being saved' meant responding to an invitation at the end of the service and walking an aisle. We were taught that by making our decision for Jesus, and praying the simple sinners prayer, that we could assuredly claim to be saved. Is this true? Is being saved something that the sinner performs in order to have forgiveness of sins? What does the Bible say?
1. As sinners we are all born dead in sin and under condemnation. We do not become sinners, but come from the womb speaking lies, Psalm 58 :3. Even if salvation were as simple as the sinner saying "yes" to Christ, none would be saved, because none have a heart to know Christ, love Christ or follow Him. Sinners are unable to come to Christ for salvation, because they are unwilling, John 5:40.
2. Salvation is of the Lord! The commandment is "Look unto me, and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth: for I am God, and there is none else." Isaiah 45:22. If salvation were within our hands, we wouldn't have to look to Him alone. Why must you look to the Lord God alone for salvation?
Salvation is according to His eternal purpose–If you are saved it is because God the Father eternally, willingly and graciously decreed you to be His. All other sinners He justly condemns to die for their sins, Ephesians 1:11.
Salvation is through the death by substitution of the Lord Jesus Christ. In order to save His people, the Lord Jesus had to come and perfectly obey God's law as a man. He had to lay down His life in payment of the penalty which the law required. There is no salvation otherwise, Heb. 9:12-15.
Salvation is by the quickening of the Holy Spirit. It is the Spirit of God that regenerates the sinner and brings him to Christ in faith. Until such time, the wrath of God abides on all who are outside of Christ, Eph. 2:3. Justifcation is not because of faith, but it is through faith. Without faith, IT IS IMPOSSIBLE, to please God, Hebrews 11:6.
Would you be saved? Look to Him alone and believe that He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him, Hebrews 11:6.