This is a very important question, and one that many of us take lightly.

Yet the choice we make determines our path. Let’s get comfortable and dive into some answers — and some thought-provoking questions before searching through the Scriptures at the end.

Why do so many people believe they are saved?

I believe that for some, it’s just a matter of being a good person — serving their community, being kind etc. For others, going to church a few times a year is enough, or they say they’ve been brought up in a Christian home having heard the gospel, but put it off for now because life is too much fun.

But why are all these points misleading?

Firstly, the bible tells us that salvation is by grace and not by works. (Ephesians 2:8-9) (Titus 3:5) (Romans 3:23-24) Secondly, going to church doesn’t make you a Christian, as anyone can go to church. Thirdly, similar to going to church from time to time, saying you are saved because of your Christian upbringing won’t get you into heaven. And lastly, some think,” life is treating me well at the moment, so I’ll repent and get saved tomorrow.” Salvation simply doesn’t work like that.

So,what is salvation?

Jesus Christ came in the form of man, sent from God to live among the people. He was born a Jew and had a short ministry here on earth before He was crucified for us so that we might have eternal life with Him and be spared eternal suffering apart from Him.

He died the most painful death anyone could endure, and He did that for us because He loves us so much. We have been freely given the most wonderful gift of salvation, and it is there for anyone who wants to take it.

Jesus paid the price for our sins when He was crucified on the cross. He became the lamb that was sacrificed, and through His blood we have been forgiven. We have the joy and hope of eternal life — a life made complete, when we accept Him as our Lord and Saviour. (John 3:16)

How often do we sit and reflect on the meaning of life? Is God real? Does heaven exist? The answers to these questions determine our eternity, and where we want to spend it. Remember, our lives here on this earth are only seconds compared with eternity, yet too many of us are looking to have the best life now, adopting the YOLO (you only live once) mentality.

There is only one way to God, as the Bible tells us in the book of John. (John 14:6) Despite this, many claim that there are more ways than one to get into heaven. But the Bible makes it clear that this is untrue. It also repeatedly warns us that we mustn’t worship any other gods or idols. (Exodus 20:3-5) Remember, idols cannot hear us or talk to us, they are just a man-made object, carved out of wood or precious metal, but God is spirit. He’s alive and He cares about us. We can have fellowship with Him. (James 4:8) He has a plan and a purpose for our lives – a purpose beyond our imaginations. He is simply just waiting for us to turn to Him.

This world is in a bad way, we only need to open our eyes and see what’s happening all around us. People have no hope, no joy, and they are looking for answers. (Psalm 16:11)

Salvation is the answer. It means to be saved, to get a new life. We no longer live for ourselves, but for God. (Galations 2:20) We can be sure of eternity in heaven and because of what Christ did for us on the cross, we have victory over death. Death no longer is something to fear because we go to live with Jesus and then our lives really begin. (1 Corinthians 15:54–55) When we realise this, we’ll want to make sure we are going to heaven. Who would want eternal suffering?

We find a meaning to our lives; we feel accepted and loved. Our past no longer matters. Once we accept God as our Saviour, our slate is wiped clean and our past is forgotten. We become a new person when Christ enters in, and we have a new beginning. (2 Corinthians 5:17)

So, what are we being saved from?

A life without hope: separated from God. A life where we are in control—selfish, never satisfied, always wanting more, whether it is money, success, or a greater sense of self-worth. A life of frustration and self-pity. (Ephesians 4:18)

When we accept Christ as our Saviour, we no longer live for ouselves. We let Him take control, and we start to find that we naturally want to begin living for God; things from before now seem less attractive. A change from within starts to take place, and happiness fills us. Life starts to become meaningful. (Romans 12:2)

I’m not saying we won’t feel temptation, jealousy, anger, etc anymore, but as God works in us, we naturally change and seek to please Him, not people. The old goes out, and the new comes in.

How do we receive this wonderful gift?

In Romans 10:9 it shows a clear path to salvation: “If you confess with your mouth, Jesus is Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. (Romans 10:9-10) ” Our voices and hearts acknowledge who Jesus is and trust in His resurrection. “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” (Romans 10:13) It doesn’t say some who call on the Lord, but everyone. In (1 John 1:9), it says “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.”

If you would like to receive Christ as your saviour, then you could pray the following words out loud and from your heart.

Dear Heavenly Father, I thank You that I can come before You right now, as I am. I want to invite You into my life, to cleanse me and wipe away my past and forgive my sins. I believe that You died for me and rose again so that I will be saved and have eternal life with You in heaven. I want to follow You as my Lord and Saviour. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

We can conclude why salvation matters

To be apart from God is to die with no hope, to live solely for ourselves, and to have never truly known the meaning of life. God desires that we know Him, have a personal relationship, and share this truth with others so that they too may come to know Him.

Once we have made Christ our Saviour, we see how wonderful it is to be set free from an old life of sin and enter into a new one, with God as our leader, protector, provider, and comforter. Now we can trust in Him, knowing that He meets all our needs and that He will never leave us or forsake us. (Hebrews 13:5) We can turn to Him at any time, as He is always there, desiring fellowship with us—our new best friend.

Where are you today? Can you be sure of your salvation or relationship with God The Father? or are you too distracted with the things of this world?

Sriptures used in the order of the text

Ephesians 2:8-9

For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no-one can boast. For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.

Titus 3:5

He saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy.

Romans 3:23-24

For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.

John 3:16

For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.

John 14:6

I am the way and the truth and the life, No-one comes to the Father except through me.

Exodus 20:3-5

You shall not make for yourself an idol in the form of anything in heaven above or on the earth beneath or in the waters below. You shall not bow down to them or worship them.

James 4:8

Come near to God and he will come near to you.

Psalm 16:11

You have made known to me the path of life; you will fill me with joy in your presence, with eternal pleasures at your right hand.

Galations 2:20

I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me.

1 Corinthians 15:54–55

“Death has been swallowed up in victory.” “Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?”

2 Corinthians 5:17

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation: the old has gone, the new has come!

Ephesians 4:18

They are darkened in their understanding and separated from the life of God because of the ignorance that is in them due to the hardening of their hearts.

Romans 12:2

Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.

Romans 10:9-10

If you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved.

Romans 10:13

“Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”

1 John 1:9

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.

Hebrews 13:5

“Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.”