What Must you do to be Saved? – 9 Marks of Someone who has Truly Accepted Christ

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What must you do to be saved? I remember wrestling with this question during my darkest moments when life felt like it was spiraling out of control. Maybe you’re like I was – searching for answers, feeling lost in the noise of different opinions, or simply wondering if there’s more to life than what meets the eye. Trust me, you’re not alone in this journey.

Look, I’ve spent years talking with people from all walks of life – from skeptical college students to hardened businesspeople – and I’ve noticed something fascinating: we’re all searching for the same thing, even if we call it by different names. Some call it peace, others purpose, but at its core, we’re all looking for salvation from the emptiness that sometimes creeps into our lives. In this guide, we’ll break down crucial aspects: understanding why we need salvation in the first place, learning how to genuinely repent, building an unshakeable faith, and finding our place in a supportive church family.

You know that feeling when you’re trying to navigate a new city without GPS? That’s how many of us feel when it comes to spiritual matters. But here’s the good news – you don’t have to figure this out alone. Through real stories (including some pretty embarrassing ones from my own journey), practical steps, and straightforward biblical wisdom, I’ll walk you through nine game-changing steps that have transformed not just my life, but the lives of countless others I’ve had the privilege to mentor and guide.

1. Acknowledge the Need for Salvation

Let me share something personal. I used to think I had it all figured out – great job, nice car, seemingly perfect life. But late one night, sitting alone in my apartment overlooking the city lights, I felt this overwhelming emptiness that no amount of success could fill. It’s funny how life has a way of stripping away our pretenses, right?

Here’s the reality that hit me: we’re all broken in some way. The Bible puts it straight in Romans 3:23, “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” What must you do to be saved becomes crystal clear when you realize that our best efforts just don’t cut it. Think about it – how many times have you promised yourself to be better, do better, only to fall back into old patterns?

The thing is, salvation isn’t just about avoiding hell or checking religious boxes. It’s about addressing this core disconnect between us and our Creator. Imagine trying to charge your phone without plugging it in – that’s us trying to find fulfillment without connecting to our power source. As Ephesians 2:8-9 reminds us, “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast.”

You see, understanding our need for salvation starts with accepting a simple but profound truth: we’re not as okay as we pretend to be. And that’s actually good news because it’s only when we acknowledge our spiritual bankruptcy that we can begin to appreciate the riches of God’s grace.

2. Acknowledge Your Need for a Savior

Remember that night I mentioned earlier? Well, it got worse before it got better. I found myself on my knees, literally and figuratively, realizing that all my self-sufficiency was just an elaborate mask. You might be wondering what must you do to be saved from such a place of desperation. The answer begins with a simple yet challenging step: acknowledging that you can’t save yourself.

This isn’t just about admitting you’re not perfect – we all know that already. It’s about coming to terms with what the Bible calls our “spiritual condition.” Isaiah 64:6 puts it pretty bluntly: “All of us have become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous acts are like filthy rags.” Ouch, right? But stay with me here.

Think of it like being stuck in quicksand. The more you struggle and try to pull yourself out, the deeper you sink. What you need isn’t a self-help book or another motivational speech – you need someone standing on solid ground to pull you out. That’s where Jesus comes in. But before we get to Him, we need to swallow that pride pill that keeps us thinking we can figure it out on our own.

I remember counseling a CEO who seemed to have everything together. When he finally broke down in my office, he said something I’ll never forget: “I’m tired of being my own god.” That’s what acknowledging your need for a Savior looks like – it’s raw, it’s real, and it’s surprisingly freeing.

3. Recognize Jesus as the Way

This is where our story gets interesting. After hitting that spiritual rock bottom, I started exploring different paths to God. Buddhism, New Age spirituality, you name it. But here’s what sets Christianity apart, and why knowing what must you do to be saved matters so much: Jesus didn’t just claim to show the way to God – He claimed to BE the way.

Let’s get real for a moment. In John 14:6, Jesus makes this bold statement: “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” Now, I know in our politically correct world, this sounds incredibly narrow-minded. But stick with me here. If you’re diagnosed with cancer, you don’t want your doctor to suggest multiple “equally valid” paths to healing – you want the one that works.

The evidence for Jesus being that “one way” is actually pretty compelling. Think about it: Over 300 prophecies written hundreds of years before His birth, all fulfilled in His life. Dozens of eyewitnesses to His resurrection who were willing to die for what they saw (and trust me, people don’t die for what they know is a lie). The radical transformation of His followers from scared fishermen to bold world-changers.

But here’s what really got me: Jesus doesn’t just offer a philosophical system or a set of rules. He offers Himself. When I counsel people struggling with this concept, I often ask them to look at the historical Jesus before they dismiss Him. As C.S. Lewis famously argued, He was either a liar, a lunatic, or exactly who He claimed to be – the Lord and Savior of humanity.

The uniqueness of Christ’s claims and the evidence supporting them make a compelling case that He truly is the way to salvation. As Acts 4:12 declares, “Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.”

4. Repentance: A Change of Heart and Mind

You know those home renovation shows where they completely transform a house? Well, that’s exactly what happened in my life when I truly understood repentance. It’s not just saying “sorry” – it’s a complete demolition and rebuild of your thinking and lifestyle.

I used to think repentance was just feeling bad about my mistakes. Boy, was I wrong. When considering what must you do to be saved, true repentance stands as a crucial turning point. It’s like driving your car – realizing you’re headed in the wrong direction is just the first step. You actually have to make a U-turn.

The Greek word for repentance, “metanoia,” literally means a transformation of the mind. Acts 3:19 puts it this way: “Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord.” Notice the sequence: repent first, then experience refreshing.

Let me share something vulnerable here. As a former business executive, my identity was wrapped up in success and control. Repentance meant letting go of that death grip on my life’s steering wheel. It wasn’t just about changing a few bad habits – it was about surrendering my whole way of thinking to God’s perspective.

Here’s what genuine repentance looks like practically:

– Acknowledging sin without excuses (Psalm 51:3-4)

– Feeling godly sorrow that leads to change (2 Corinthians 7:10)

– Making concrete changes in behavior (Luke 19:8-9)

5. Faith: More Than Just Believing

“I believe in God” – I used to say this like it meant something significant. But after my encounter with true repentance, I learned that genuine faith is as different from mere belief as watching a workout video is from actually exercising. Understanding what must you do to be saved requires grasping this crucial distinction.

Think about it this way: James 2:19 tells us that even demons believe in God – and shudder! Clearly, there’s more to faith than intellectual agreement. Real faith is more like skydiving. You can believe in parachutes all day long, but faith happens when you jump out of the plane.

When I counsel people about faith, I often share my own journey. After my corporate life crumbled, believing in God wasn’t enough – I had to learn to trust Him with everything. Hebrews 11:1 describes faith as “confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.” This isn’t blind faith; it’s evidence-based trust that transforms how we live.

Active faith looks like:

– Trusting God when your bank account says “panic”

– Loving difficult people when your emotions say “run”

– Following God’s guidance even when it doesn’t make logical sense

Remember, “Without faith it is impossible to please God” (Hebrews 11:6). But here’s the beautiful thing – faith grows. Like a muscle, it strengthens with exercise and challenges.

6. Baptism: A Public Declaration

Is Baptism Necessary for Salvation? I wondered in the past. The day I got baptized, it was raining. Perfect timing, right? But standing there in my wet clothes, ready to get even wetter, I finally understood why baptism matters so much. It’s your spiritual D-Day – a public landing on the beaches of God’s kingdom.

Many people ask what must you do to be saved, and baptism plays a vital role in this journey. It’s not just a religious ritual or a nice tradition. Acts 2:38 makes it clear: “Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.”

Let me paint you a picture. In the ancient world, when a soldier switched allegiances to a new king, they would walk through a waterway while declaring their new loyalty. Baptism is similar – it’s your public declaration that you’re switching sides from being your own boss to following King Jesus.

I remember helping John, a tough construction worker, into the baptismal waters. His hands were shaking – not from fear of water, but from the weight of the moment. “Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death,” Romans 6:4 tells us, “that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.”

Baptism symbolizes:

– Death to your old life (going under the water)

– Resurrection to new life (coming up)

– Washing away of sins (Acts 22:16)

– Public identification with Christ and His church

It’s your spiritual birthday party, and like any birth, it marks the beginning of a new life, not the end of the journey.

7. Growing in God’s Word

After my baptism, I felt like a newborn baby – excited but completely clueless about what came next. That’s when my mentor shared something that changed everything: “The Bible isn’t just a book; it’s your spiritual food.” At first, I rolled my eyes (internally, of course). But he was right.

For those wrestling with what must you do to be saved, understanding that salvation is just the beginning is crucial. 1 Peter 2:2 puts it perfectly: “Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation.” Think about it – you wouldn’t expect a baby to survive on one meal forever, right?

I developed a simple routine: morning coffee with God. Started with just 10 minutes, reading one Psalm. It felt awkward at first, like learning a new language. But gradually, something amazing happened. The words started jumping off the page, speaking directly to my situations. Psalm 119:105 became real: “Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.”

Here’s what consistent Bible study has taught me:

– It’s not about quantity but quality (meditation over speed-reading)

– Personal application matters more than theological knowledge

– God’s Word has an uncanny way of addressing exactly what you’re facing

The key is making it personal. I stopped treating the Bible like a textbook and started approaching it like a love letter from God. Joshua 1:8 promises success and prosperity to those who meditate on God’s Word day and night. Not material prosperity necessarily, but something far better – spiritual prosperity.

8. Finding Your Church Family

Remember how I mentioned being a newborn baby in faith? Well, babies need families to survive and thrive. That’s where church comes in. And no, I’m not talking about a building or a Sunday morning social club.

The journey of what must you do to be saved isn’t meant to be traveled alone. Hebrews 10:24-25 urges us: “And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another.”

Let me be honest – finding the right church family wasn’t easy. After my corporate life, I was used to polished presentations and professional networking. God led me to a small, messy, but authentic community that cared more about genuine relationships than impressive programs. It was exactly what I needed, though not what I initially wanted.

Your church family serves multiple purposes:

– Accountability partners for your spiritual growth

– Support system during tough times

– Platform for discovering and using your spiritual gifts

– Training ground for serving others

Acts 2:42-47 describes the early church gathering together, sharing meals, praying, and supporting each other. This wasn’t just a nice idea – it was essential for survival in a hostile world. The same is true today. In our increasingly isolated society, having a spiritual family isn’t just helpful – it’s vital.

9. Sharing Your Journey

Six months after my transformation, I ran into my old colleague, Mike, at a coffee shop. He looked at me like he’d seen a ghost. “What happened to you?” he asked. “You’re… different.” That conversation led to Mike’s own journey to faith, and I learned something profound about sharing our story.

As you explore what must you do to be saved, you’ll discover that sharing your journey isn’t just an optional add-on – it’s a natural overflow of genuine salvation. Jesus’ last words in Matthew 28:19-20 weren’t a suggestion but a commission: “Go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.”

Your story matters more than you think. In Revelation 12:11, we read that believers overcome “by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony.” Your journey, with all its mess and miracles, could be exactly what someone else needs to hear.

Here’s what I’ve learned about sharing your faith effectively:

– Be authentic – people can spot fake from a mile away

– Share your struggles as well as your victories

– Let your changed life speak louder than your words

– Look for natural opportunities rather than forcing conversations

Remember Acts 1:8? Jesus promised we’d be His witnesses. Not professional preachers, not theological experts – just witnesses telling what we’ve seen and experienced. Like that time I shared my story at a business conference, and three CEOs asked to meet privately to discuss their own spiritual struggles.

The beautiful thing about sharing your journey is that it reinforces your own faith while helping others find theirs. It’s like the ripple effect when you throw a stone into a pond – you never know how far your story will reach.

Conclusion:

The journey of salvation isn’t a one-time decision but a lifelong adventure of growth, discovery, and transformation. Each step we’ve explored – from acknowledging our need for a Savior to actively sharing our faith – builds upon the previous one, creating a strong foundation for lasting spiritual vitality. Remember, salvation isn’t about perfectly executing a checklist; it’s about developing a genuine relationship with God through Jesus Christ.