What must one do to be saved? For the answer, turn to the book of Galatians. The problem that arose in the churches in Galatia remains a question that many Christians battle with today. Are we truly saved by our belief in Jesus Christ and His sacrifice on the cross for us, or is something more necessary on our part?
The apostle Paul took pains to help believers understand that we’re justified by grace through faith alone. We could do nothing to secure our salvation. Jesus did it all.
Our Savior made a promise: I will fulfill the Law (Matthew 5:17). And He did it. His final words as He hung on the cross were: “It is finished!” (John 19:30). They’re translated from the Greek word tetelestai—a colloquial expression used in the marketplace that meant “paid in full.”
One pastor comments, “The sufficiency of the cross is a watershed belief. If we doubt its sufficiency to justify us fully before God, we will seek to augment the cross with our works; and if we seek to augment it with our works, we fundamentally deny its sufficiency and, as it were, ‘fall from grace’ (see Galatians 5:4).”
This doesn’t mean that we’ll lose our salvation. But it does reveal that we can substitute the fullness of life in Jesus for a form of religion that has no power and no joy.
So where does Bible reading and baptism come in? Not to gain salvation, but to “grow up in [our] salvation” (1 Peter 2:2 NIV) and to proclaim Christ’s salvation (Matthew 28:19).
To be saved, only one thing is required—faith in Jesus Christ. For “everyone who believes in him is declared right with God” (Acts 13:39).
NLT 365-day reading plan passage for today: Genesis 40:1-23
More:
Read Romans 8:1-4 and Ephesians 2:8-9 to appreciate anew what Jesus accomplished for us on the cross.
Next:
After starting your Christian life in the Spirit, how have you been trying to become perfect by your own human effort? What are the differences between a Christian who is living by grace and another who is living by the Law?
davedon on January 23, 2014 at 7:41 am
It is important that we be reminded of the all sufficiency of Christ and that we can add nothing to salvation. We live in a self sufficient world but praise God, He has not left anything for us to do concerning our salvation except to grow in it and to tell the world what He has done for us. Blessings!!
tom felten on January 23, 2014 at 9:43 am
Good thoughts, davedon. How beautiful and pure is the the grace of God. May we swim in it today and splash it on everyone we meet!
Winn Collier on January 28, 2014 at 8:08 pm
I think losing one’s joy is about as far from the hope of salvation as one could get.
daisymarygoldr on February 15, 2014 at 4:27 pm
Good post and questions, Poh Fang! True, the Bible says, “Believe in the Lord Jesus and you will be saved.” The demons also believe but are not saved. Why? Believe is equated to obedience. Anyone who believes in God’s Son ‘has’ eternal life and anyone who doesn’t ‘obey’ the Son will never experience eternal life (John 3:36).Obey what? The grace of God that brings salvation instructs us to turn from godless living and sinful pleasures (Titus 2:11)
Today, Christians are not practicing circumcision to make themselves right with God. Just as the Galatians, many start out by faith. But when their faith is not evidenced by works, they doubt the sufficiency of the Gospel and resort to 12 steps of recovery. To such, the question is: after starting your Christian lives in the Spirit, why are you now trying to become perfect by your own human effort? Examine your faith to see whether Christ is indeed in you.
Note aside: Where did you find that meaning for “fall from grace’? The meaning for ‘fallen away from God’s grace’ is given in the same verse Galatians 5:4. Those who are under the law are cut off from Christ and have fallen away from God’s grace. When we are severed from Christ, we no longer have His life-giving Spirit (1John 5:11). This is spiritual death. What does it mean to be dead? It means to live in sin (Ephesians 2:2)
A person under the law will live a life struggling with sin, just like Paul did before he knew the grace of God through Jesus Christ. The law is like the pull of gravity that will keep you tied down to sin, shame, guilt, un-forgiveness, hopelessness and no assurance of salvation. Such individuals may have a reputation of being alive and actively involved in good works. However these actions do not meet the requirements of God.
Is it possible for Christians to be made alive in Christ and then die spiritually? Yes. In 1 Corinthians 11:30, Paul talks about many of who were weak and sick and some had even died. Jesus considered the church of Sardis dead. Is God’s grace able to graft back that which was cut off? Absolutely. What must be done? Go back to what you heard and believed at first; hold to it firmly. Repent and turn to Christ again (Revelation 3:3).
God has given us eternal life through His Son—this is true salvation. Salvation does not make man into a machine. We are made alive and have the ability to choose good and not evil. God’s grace is the buoyant force that lifts us above every evil deed that keeps us down and empowers the Christian to live victoriously in Jesus Christ. This is why we say, by God’s grace I am what I am, it is not I but Christ who lives in me.