the question, “What must I do to be saved?” carries some profound implications.

First, we see an acknowledgment of being lost. The wages of sin is death (Rom. 6:23). Many want to deny their list state and/or the list state of others. This practice does not cause grace to abound (Rom. 6:1), it only leads to self deception (1 Jn. 1:8).

Secondly, we see the opportunity of salvation. Our sin does not have to be the final judgment of our life. “God sent not his son into the world to condemn the world, but that through the world through him might be saved” (Jn 3:17). Paul reminded us that we once were dead in our trespasses and sins (Eph. 2:1), “but God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ” (Eph. 2:4-5).

Finally, we see the obligation to obey the Gospel. Paul warned the Thessalonians that the Lord Jesus would come “in flaming fire, inflicting vengeance on those who do not know God and on those who obey not the Gospel” (2 Thess. 1:8). How then do we obey the Gospel? Obedience to the Gospel begins as the sinner repents of his sin and is buried with Christ in baptism in order to have sins washed away and to begin a new walk of life (Rom. 6:1-5; Acts 2:38; Col, 2:12).

But wait. That’s not then end, it is only the beginning. In order to be saved, we continue to bear fruit for God (Gal. 5:22-24). We continue walking in the light (1 Jn. 1:7). We continue to be faithful no matter the cost (Rev. 2:10).

Most importantly, we continue trusting in the wonderful love of God; The graciousness displayed in the Son of God’s sacrifice; and the word inspired by the Spirit of God.