What are the steps to salvation?
-
- 0
Many people are looking for “steps to salvation.” People like the idea of an instruction manual with five or six steps that, if followed, will result in salvation and all that heaven offers. The religion of Islam has Five Pillars; if the Five Pillars are obeyed, salvation will be granted. Even many Christians make the mistake of presenting salvation as if it requires a step-by-step process. Roman Catholicism has seven sacraments that need to be kept. Various Christian denominations add various steps such as baptism, public confession, speaking in tongues, tithing, etc., as the way to salvation. But the Bible really only presents one step to salvation. When asked, “What must I do to be saved?” Paul and Silas responded, “Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved” (Acts 16:30–31).
Faith in Jesus Christ as the Savior is the only “step” to salvation. The message of the Bible is that we have all sinned against God (Romans 3:23) and need a Savior. Because of our sin, we deserve to be eternally separated from God (Romans 6:23). But, because of His love for us (John 3:16), God took on human form and died in our place. Jesus took the punishment that we deserve (Romans 5:8; 2 Corinthians 5:21). He then rose from the dead (Matthew 28:5). God promises forgiveness of sins and eternal life to all who believe in Jesus Christ as Savior (John 1:12; 3:16; 5:24). To receive Jesus by faith is to turn from sin and embrace His death and resurrection as sufficient to make us right with God.
Salvation is not about a list of steps we must follow to earn salvation. Yes, Christians should be baptized. Yes, Christians should publicly confess Christ as Savior. Yes, Christians should practice good works and obey God. However, these are not steps to salvation. They are results of salvation.
Because of our sin, we cannot in any sense earn salvation. We could follow 1,000 steps, and it would not be enough. That is why Jesus had to die in our place. We are absolutely incapable of paying our sin debt to God or cleansing ourselves from sin. Only God could accomplish our salvation, and so He did. God Himself completed the “steps” for us. Jesus lived the perfect life (1 John 3:5) and offered the perfect sacrifice (Hebrews 10:12, 14). On the basis of His work, not ours, He offers salvation to anyone who will receive it from Him by faith.
Salvation is not about following steps. It is about receiving Christ as Savior and recognizing that He has done all the work for us. God requires one step of us—receiving Jesus Christ as our Savior from sin and fully trusting in Him alone as the way of salvation.
One day some men came to Jesus with a question about taking steps to secure their salvation: “What must we do to do the works God requires?” they asked (John 6:28). Jesus’ answer was simple: “The work of God is this: to believe in the one he has sent” (verse 29). That is the only “work”: believe.
Other world religions have a list of steps that must be followed to receive salvation. The Christian faith recognizes that Jesus has done all the steps. He now calls us to receive Him in faith.
Have you received Christ as your Savior because of what you have read here today? If so, please let us know by clicking on the “I have received Christ today” button below.
If you have any questions, please use the question form on our Bible Questions Answered page.
Many people are looking for “steps to salvation.” People like the idea of an instruction manual with five or six steps that, if followed, will result in salvation and all that heaven offers. The religion of Islam has Five Pillars; if the Five Pillars are obeyed, salvation will be granted. Even many Christians make the…
Many people are looking for “steps to salvation.” People like the idea of an instruction manual with five or six steps that, if followed, will result in salvation and all that heaven offers. The religion of Islam has Five Pillars; if the Five Pillars are obeyed, salvation will be granted. Even many Christians make the…