believe and be saved
Could it be that simple? How could that be enough? And yet, numerous times throughout the Bible we are told to “believe and be saved”. So what is it that we must believe? Let’s start with some foundational truths:
There is

one God.
“...For I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like Me.” Isaiah 46:9b (see also I Kings 8:60)
He made

everything.
“All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made.” John 1:3 (see also Colossians 1:16, Romans 1:20)
He is holy.
“Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, Who was and is and is to come!” Revelation 4:8b (see also Isaiah 6:3, Leviticus 19:2)



Jesus is God (3-in-1 God: Father, Son & Holy Spirit)


Many stumble over this and it prevents them from getting saved. The proof was in His miracles, and in fulfilling hundreds of prophesies pointing to Him being God.

“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” “And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us” John 1:1, 14a

“Showing from the Scriptures that Jesus is the Christ.” Acts 18:28b

“And now, O Father, glorify Me together with Yourself, with the glory which I had with You before the world was.” John 17:5 (see also Exodus 3:13-14, followed by John 8:58) (see also Psalm 107:28-30, followed by Mark 4:37-41)


Every person sins,

which separates us

from God. Every person sins, which separates us from God.








Compared to others, we might think of ourselves as good. Compared to God, who is perfect, we are a mess.

“For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” Romans 3:23

God does not dwell with evil. The moment Adam and Eve sinned, they had to be sent away from God’s presence.

“But your iniquities have separated you from your God; and your sins have hidden His face from you, so that He will not hear.” Isaiah 59:2 (see also Romans 3:10, Isaiah 64:6, Psalm 5:4)


Doing good does NOT erase sin. Doing good does NOT erase sin.






If you face a judge for a crime you have committed, the judge will not dismiss the crime because you tell him that you did some nice things for others.

Neither can you clean up your record with God by doing good.

“For by the works of the law no flesh shall be justified.” Galatians 2:16b

Sin comes with the penalty of spiritual death (as well as related consequences).


Though our undealt with sin keeps us out of a relationship with God, He never stops loving us. God loves us and wants to bring us back to Him.

“For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” John 3:16

“For the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost.” Luke 19:10

“He is patient toward you, not wishing for any to perish but for all to come to repentance.” 2 Peter 3:9b


Just as the law of gravity applies to all, so does this law:
“Without shedding of blood there is no forgiveness.” Hebrews 9:22b
“It is not possible that the blood of bulls and goats could take away sins.” Hebrews 10:4



Since He is the only one that is truly innocent, God had to come to earth as Jesus and be put to death in our place.

“You know that He appeared in order to take away sins; and in Him there is no sin.” I John 3:5

“Knowing that you were not redeemed with corruptible things, like silver or gold...but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot.” 1 Peter 1:18-19

“Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures.” 1 Corinthians 15:3b-4

(see also John 14:6, Acts 4:12, 1 Corinthians 15:17)


Though he died for everyone, it’s only applied to you when you BELIEVE.



It is not enough to quickly say, “just believe? Sure, why not?” but not understand the facts upon which our salvation is based.

It’s also not enough to understand these things but then dismiss them. Demons know all about Jesus’ payment for sin, but will reject God to the end.
believe = understand and accept

“He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.” John 3:18

“What must I do to be saved?” So they said, “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved.” Acts 16:30b-31a

(see also John 1:12, Romans 4:5)


The salvation God provides
through Christ is a gift.
The salvation God provides through Christ is a gift.



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

mercy = not getting the punishment we deserve.
grace = enjoying tremendous blessings we didn’t earn.
Both of these are applied to us when we accept Christ’s death (in our place).

“For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast.” Ephesians 2:8-9

“For as the heavens are high above the earth, so great is His mercy toward those who fear Him; As far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us.” Psalm 103:11-12

Prior to believing, we are spiritually dead because of sin. For those who believe, God makes our spirit alive.


The soul is your thoughts, emotions and personality. The spirit is necessary to communicate with God and understand spiritual truths (the Bible).

“And you were dead in your trespasses and sins” Ephesians 2:1

“But the natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; nor can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.” I Corinthians 2:14

We’ve already been born physically. When we believe, we are born spiritually! This must happen to be saved.

“Unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” Nicodemus said to Him, “How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother’s womb and be born?” Jesus answered, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.” John 3:3b-6

God will send His Holy Spirit to you.

When we believe, are saved and become spiritually alive, God also sends His Holy Spirit to us. His Spirit guides us in understanding, gives us strength and throughout the rest of our lives, works to make us more like Christ and to reflect His love.

Are you ready to believe that Jesus is in fact God?
Are you ready to believe that your sins need to be paid and you can’t pay for them yourself?
Are you ready to believe Jesus paid for them on the cross with His innocent blood?
Believe and be saved!
Visit gospelguardians.com for more information.


Why will so few believe?
If you’re NOT ready to believe, it could be one of these:

• You see yourself as good and not a sinner
“For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” Romans 3:23

• You’re involved in a sin that you want to keep from God
“Turn from these useless things to the living God (who made all things).” Acts 14:15b

• You fear not being in charge of your life
“Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding.” Proverbs 3:5

• Fear of disagreeing with what your family believes
“Choose you this day whom ye will serve” Joshua 24:15a

• You’re still processing what you just read
“Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good; Blessed is the man who trusts in Him!” Psalm 34:8
Don’t be content to be lost! Keep thinking on it, believe and be saved.
Visit gospelguardians.com for more information.