The Bible Way of Salvation

What must I do to be LOST?

Dissatisfaction with their lifestyle and heartbreaking guilt over sin prompt many people to seek an answer to the question, what must I do to be saved?  Conversely, there are many people who are quite content to lead a life where Jesus is a stranger, organized religion (a.k.a. church) is trendy in small doses, and the Bible is a motel-room novelty.  For those that are satisfied with a life devoid of God, let us consider the question, what must I do to be lost?

Ignore the gospel of Jesus Christ. The Bible tells Humankind that all must Hear the gospel to believe it and be saved (Rom.10:13-14, 17). The easiest thing one can do to be lost is simply ignoring the gospel message. Do not open a Bible. Do not darken the door of the church. Do not listen to the preacher. Avoid words like “God,” “sin,” “death,” “Jesus,” “love,” “grace,” “cross,” “blood,” “faith,” “obedience,” or “life.”

Also, don’t befriend Christians. Their hope, peace and joy can be contagious. While it is easy to avoid preachers and worship services, it is hard to ignore a Christian in life. Their actions and attitudes will lead to the very gospel that must be ignored if one would be lost.

Doubt Jesus Christ is the Son of God. The Bible tells Humankind that all must Believe that Jesus Christ is the son of God to be saved (John 3:16; 8:24; 14:6). So, doubt it! Doubt that Jesus was deity in flesh. Remain skeptical that He loved you enough to die for your sins on the cross. Distrust that He conquered death and rose from the grave on the third day. Be suspicious of His empty tomb.

Doubt that all things are possible for God. Question whether He hears prayers, if He exists at all. Impress your doubts on others by emphasizing evolution, teaching moral relativism and limiting the ability of others to pray and exercise their faith. Then one will be lost for sure (Matt.18:6).

Stay the worldly course. The Bible tells Humankind that all must Repent [turn away from] of sin in life and follow Christ to be saved (Luk.13:3; Acts 2:38). So, ignore the gospel, doubt Jesus and continue living your life the way you want to live it! You’re in charge. Pursue money above all else. Indulge in every fleshly desire that avails itself. Trust your own judgment always and live independently of all other people. In fact, refuse to help them. Why should you help anyone else? Why should anyone change for God? What has God ever done for anyone?

Deny Jesus Christ. The Bible tells Humankind that all must Confess Christ to be saved (Rom.10:9-10; Matt.10:32-33; Acts 8:36-38). So, deny Jesus with words. Scoff as others share about His death and resurrection from the grave. When asked, politely respond that you never knew Him. If asked again, curse and swear to prove that you never knew Him (Luke 22:55-62).

Deny Jesus by actions. Live as if He never existed. Deny Jesus by silence. Don’t be bothered to come to the aid of one who is hurting, oppressed or defenseless. Live in complete denial of Jesus Christ and one will be lost.

Spurn the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ. The Bible tells Humankind that all must be Baptized to be saved (Mark 16:15-16; Acts 2:38; Gal.3:27). If one desires no part of the death and resurrection of Christ, by which salvation is offered, then one ignores the command to be immersed into the likeness of His death and resurrection (Mk. 16:16; Rom.6:3-5). Argue against immersion and say that those who teach such is necessary for salvation are legalists, denying God’s grace and attempting to earn their salvation by the traditions and works of men. And thus one will deny the very words of the Bible that state “baptism now saves you” (1 Pet.3:21).

But one doesn’t have to actively oppose baptism to be lost. One can just sleep on it for a while. Put baptism off, waiting for a better time. Procrastinate with the salvation of your eternal soul. Dare Jesus to return before you’re prepared. Surely such will be lost.

Live Hypocritically. The Bible tells Humankind that all must Live Faithfully to be saved (Jas.1:12; 2 Tim.4:7-8). Even if one comes to church once in a while and chooses to be baptized, one can be lost.

• We won’t confess sins, when we are guilty (1 John 1:8-10).
   

• We won’t forgive others when they ask for forgiveness (Matt.18:35; Mark 11:25).
   

• We won’t love the church, God or other Christians (1 John 4:19-21).
   

• We won’t control our tongues (Jas.3:6, 8-10).
   

• We won’t meet with the saints to worship God (Heb.10:24-25).
   

• We won’t worship God the way He desires to be worshiped (John 4:23-24).
   

• We won’t walk in the light (1 John 1:5-7).

We just eat, drink and are merry because tomorrow we die. Truly, such are already lost.

What must I do to be lost? It is easier than people realize. There are plenty of role models doing it around you. However, God doesn’t want anybody to be lost. He sent His son for your salvation and He is patient, wanting all Humankind to repent and come to Him.

Realize: Lost or Saved, What Must You Do Today?

 

What must I do to be saved?