How To Be Saved

The Rich Young Ruler asked Jesus, “Good Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?” (Luke 18:18).

The Philippian Jailer asked the imprisoned disciples, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” (Acts 16:30).

A lawyer asked Jesus, “Teacher, what shall I do to inherit eternal life?” (Luke 10:25).

There are many Bible verses that answer the question asked. But they all point ultimately to the same thing: self-denial. Jesus said that anyone who desires to follow Him must “deny himself” (Matt. 16:24).

Jesus put His finger directly on the Rich Young Ruler’s problem. Jesus did not condemn wealth, but the wantonness for it, and that’s likely why the young man turned away sad.

The lawyer that asked Jesus the question was not an attorney but an expert in Mosaic Law. The text reveals that the man was testing Jesus, and that elicited the parable of the Good Samaritan, one whose self-denial and concern for another is exemplary.

According to Roman law, the jailer would have been executed for allowing prisoners to escape. He would have committed suicide had the disciples not yelled out that they were all still there. The jailer was just as shaken as the prison doors.

Jesus told Nicodemus he must be born again.

“Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and you will be saved, you and your household,” Paul and Silas told the jailer.

Jesus confirmed the lawyer’s observations were correct: to love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, strength, and mind, and to love one’s neighbor as one’s self.

Unfortunately, pockets of obedience to these commands are scarce in the world. Rather, world history is grievously pock-parked with self-centeredness. The “Me” generation is not only contemporary; it began with Adam and Eve and will remain unabated until Jesus returns.

There are numerous Bible verses that direct one toward salvation, such as Matt. 7:13-14; John 3:36; 6:44; 14:6 and 15:1-27; Romans 6:23 and 10:9-13; 2 Cor. 5:17; and Eph, 2:8-9; but the contention remains the same: they all point to self-denial. Jesus made it plain: anyone who is unwilling to deny himself and take up is cross is not worthy of Jesus.

Denial of self includes the confession of selfishness. If one does not admit to selfishness, then one cannot deny one’s self. Once accomplished, however, the Christ follower is admonished to love one’s neighbor as one’s self. That, and about 30 verses require that Christians prefer others above themselves, which is the opposite of selfishness. God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.

Norm Miller can be contacted at [email protected]