Why Do I Need to ‘Be Saved’?

The Bible speaks about things for which many people are searching. For example, it tells us of the creation of the world; the cause of evil in the world; and man’s purpose of existence.

The Bible also speaks about the cause of death in mankind, saying;

“Wherefore, as by one man [Adam] sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned” (Romans 5:12).

Thus, the Bible tells the account of how the first man, Adam, was disobedient towards God and introduced sin and its consequence of death… into the world of mankind.

As a result of Adam’s experience, there are two things we can be sure of in life;

“it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment” (Hebrews 9:27).

Every person will die because of their sin, and then later… their every word, deed, and thought will be judged according to … God’s righteous standard.

How will the judgment turn out?

“to them who by patient continuance in well doing seek for glory and honour and immortality, eternal life: But unto them that are contentious, and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, indignation and wrath, Tribulation and anguish, upon every soul of man that doeth evil” (Romans 2:8-9).

The evil among mankind will be punished with “eternal destruction” (2Thes. 1:9), but the righteous will be rewarded with “eternal life.”

But there’s a problem: “There is none that are righteous, no not one.” The fact is that as the sin-laden offspring of Adam, we are all headed for “eternal destruction” in the “lake of fire,” unless we receive God’s remedy for our sins!

How can we make such a harsh and absolute statement? How can we know that we are not good enough to get into heaven?

Well, we can determine our fate on Judgment Day by using ‘God’s standard of judgment.’

“It is appointed unto all men once to die, then to face judgment by God” (Hebrews 9:27). How will we fare on that day of judgment?

The Bible explains that since we are all descendants of the first man Adam, we are all cursed with sin, death, and a shortcoming when it comes to righteousness (Romans 3:9-11, 5:12).

God in his justice cannot let any person tainted with unrighteousness into his perfect and eternal home. All unrighteousness is worthy of “eternal destruction” in the lake of fire (Rev. 21:8).

The best way to discover whether you are good enough to go to heaven is to examine how you compare to God’s standard of righteousness – the divine righteous law. Used properly, the Bible says that the law will justly judge any sin found in your nature and will indicate whether or not if you are qualified for heaven.

Let’s find out how we measure up to the law.

“Thou shalt not bear false witness [lie]” – Exodus 20:16

Have you ever told a lie? If so, even a small one a long time ago, then that makes you a liar and in danger of the lake of fire (Rev 21:8). One of the things God hates is a lying tongue (Proverbs 6:16-17).

“Thou shalt not steal.” – Exodus 20:15

Have you ever stolen anything? If so, even something small a long time ago, then that makes you a thief and puts you out of the running for entering the Kingdom of God (1 Cor 6:10).

“Thou shalt not commit adultery.” – Exodus 20:14

Jesus said; “I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart.” – Matthew 5:28 Have you ever looked upon a person with lust? If so, even a fleeting thought, then Jesus says you have committed adultery in your heart (Matt 5:28). The only difference between the internal desire and the action is a given opportunity. If you have lusted internally or actually committed adultery (or fornication) … you are an adulterer.

“Thou shalt not covet…” – Exodus 20:17  Have you ever desired the possessions of someone else? If you have, then this shows the evil condition of your heart wishing to follow after its lustful desires (Eph 2:1-3).

With just this list of a few of the ‘Ten Commandments,’ we must admit that we are all lying, thieving, adulterers!

These are just a few of God’s laws that are written on the conscious of every human, but which we continually break. The Bible says that “For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in [just] one point, he is guilty of all” (James 2:10).

The Just Punishment for Breaking God’s Law”:

Criminals against God will have to face an eternal life sentence in anguish and torment in hell as the recipient of God’s just wrath against evil and wickedness.

Our own unrighteousness before God is revealed through looking at God’s law. The Bible tells us that “the wrath of God is now revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men” (Romans 1:18). There are none of us that measure up to God’s standard of righteousness, not one (Romans 3:9-11). As a result, we are all condemned because of our sin, and must accept the consequences.

“For the wages of sin is death…”- Romans 6:23

“…Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power” – 2 Thess 1:9

It is through realizing our depraved condition before God that we see our need for salvation from His judgment. We do not need salvation from tornadoes, thieves, murderers, or poverty as much as we need salvation from a more eternal condition – sin, death, and the judgment of God against sin.

God's Act of Salvation:

This life is only for a moment when compared to eternity. Yet, our eternal destiny lies in the balance of what we do while in this brief moment.

Will we continue to live, even seemingly good lives, knowing that we will still be found guilty by God? Or do we seek for salvation from God’s wrath to come and seek for the righteousness that can gain eternal life for us.

Because of God’s love towards us, and His unwillingness that we should face eternal destruction, He has provided for us a way of salvation through Jesus Christ (John 14:6).

Knowing that we are all sinners, and that there are none righteous (Romans 3:10), God sent Jesus Christ to take your place on the cross (Romans 3:25). The wrath and judgment of God was poured out upon His perfect Son, who did not deserve death or punishment.

In this righteous sacrifice of Jesus, He was made sin for us so that we could gain his righteousness (2 Cor 5:21). Today we can receive righteousness totally apart from “the law of God,” which is a righteousness that comes to us by… our faith of Jesus Christ (Rom 3:21-22). Though we did not deserve any rescue from our own sinful condition, God showed his love for us by dying for our sins:

“But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” – Romans 5:8

Paul’s “gospel [good news] of God’s Grace” is the answer for hopeless mankind who are burdened with their recognized sinful condition.

‘Grace’ is a “Gift” Received but NOT deserved. The Bible says that when we put our faith in what Christ did on the cross as His Grace (free gift) toward us … then we are saved from the wrath of God (Eph. 2:8). We are “justified [made righteous] freely” by the redemption in Christ Jesus (Romans 3:24).

If we put our faith in the Lord Jesus and His propitiation [sin payment] on the cross, then we can stand before God on judgment day and know that Jesus has provided a complete payment of our sins. Therefore, we are saved not by how well we act or perform, because we are all guilty of God’s righteous standard, instead we are saved by what Christ did and performed on our behalf (Eph 2:9, Titus 3:5).

We have been graciously given an opportunity to participate in the glory of God through our trust in the gospel [good news] of Jesus Christ (Romans 1:16).

If you are not sure if you are going to heaven, reread this page, then determine in yourself how you will fare on judgment day. Will you be guilty when God judges you by His righteous standard? The Bible says we all have fallen short.

“For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God” – Romans 3:23

The Question: Are you saved from God’s wrath?

Do you see your need for salvation from sin and “eternal destruction”?

If so, then read “the gospel of the grace of God” on this page again or these verses in your Bible.

• Do you trust and believe that Jesus Christ was God manifest in human flesh?
• Do you believe He is able to perform that which he promised for you, eternal life?

You can trust in Him as you would a life preserver … on judgment day.

¹⁹ Now we know that what things soever the law saith, it saith to them who are under the law: that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God. ²⁰ Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin [defined].

²¹ But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets; ²² Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference: ²³ For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; ²⁴ Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: ²⁵ Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation [as our sin-debt payment] through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God; ²⁶ To declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus.” - Romans 3:19-26 (KJV)

“Moreover, brethren, I [Paul] declare unto you the gospel [good news] which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; ²  By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I [Paul] preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain. ³ For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; ⁴ And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:” - 1 Corinthians 15:1-4 (KJV)

“For we ourselves also were sometimes foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving divers lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, and hating one another. ⁴ But [even] after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared, ⁵ Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration [a new beginning], and renewing of [by] the Holy Ghost; ⁶ Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour; ⁷  [so] That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope [the confident expectation] of eternal life.” - Titus 3:3-7 (KJV)

Your simple expression of your faith in Christ as your personal Savior is rewarded with eternal life:

“For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” – Romans 6:23

The Bible says that if you have heard of the gospel of your salvation and you have trusted in Jesus Christ and His death and resurrection, then you have been given the Holy Spirit as a “seal” and a promise of what God will give you for eternity – which is life everlasting.

If you have in fact trusted in the gospel, you may not feel like much of anything has changed. But you should still know, by faith in the Bible – the word of Truth, that you are now forever changed from a child of sin and disobedience to one of God’s children who will reign and rule with Him for eternity in “the heavenly places.” (2Tim. 2:12)

You are saved from the wrath of God, and have been given eternal life by the grace of God!