How much do I have to do in order to be saved?

Acts 16:30  And brought them out, and said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved?

 

The Philippian jailor puts before us a question that echoes down the corridor of time. Many times we have been called upon to give answer to that question. I venture to say that members of the Lord's church wherever they may be can answer that question quoting the Lord's plan for saving man namely Hear, Believe, Repent, Confess, Be Baptized, Live Faithful. And many would know where to go to find the passages of scripture to support each part of the plan. For the most part we have no problem answering this question.

 

Now let me put before you a companion question: How much do I have to do in order to be saved? It is here that many people would hesitate to give answer not being quite sure of what to say. We know that living faithfully is the final step in the Lord's plan but people seem to be confused as to how much is required in order to live faithfully. In Philippians 2:11, Paul says to work out your salvation with fear and trembling. Just how much do I have to do in order work out my salvation? We hear Paul in 1 Corinthians tell us to abound in the work of the Lord. Just how much do I have to do in order to be abounding? We hear Jesus as he tells us in Mark 12:30 to love the Lord with all our heart, soul, mind and strength. What does this mean? What is involved in doing as Jesus instructs?

 

In my heart, I believe the answer to all these questions lies in whether or not we are willing to follow the example of the Macedonians in 2 Cor. 8, namely give first of ourselves. This will require us to commit ourselves to the Lord in such a way that we will be willing to do or give anything within our ability and power to please him in every part of our existence. This requires in us a trust in the Lord that he will be with us and will provide for us in whatever circumstance we find ourselves. This requires us to be willing to place ourselves in his hands, keeping back nothing (Isaiah 12:2-3; Psalms 23; 2 Tim. 1:12; Proverbs 23:26).

 

If we are willing to let the word of Christ dwell in us richly, if we are willing to lovingly, cheerfully give ourselves as a living sacrifice diligently striving to keep our hearts pure by not conforming to this world, we will have no difficulty in knowing just how much we have to do in order to be saved (Rom. 12:1-2; 1 John 2:15-17; 2 Peter 1:5-12).

 

Charles Hicks