WE ARE SAVED BY OUR LORD

I have been receiving quite a bit of criticism lately, for my position on how one gets "saved."  So, that being said, let me be absolutely clear as to my understanding of what it means to be "saved."

1.  In order to be "saved," one must recognize that he is "lost," and that he needs a "Savior!"  Jesus compared it with a person needing to realize he was sick, in order for him to seek out a physician (Mt. 9:12; Mk. 2:17; Lk. 5:31; etc.).  The Father sends the Holy Spirit to draw fallen mankind to faith in His Son (Jn. 6:44; 14:26).  It is the work of the Holy Spirit, who convinces a man that he is a sinner, and that Jesus came to save him from the penalty of his sin (Jn. 16:7-11; Rom. 3:23; etc.).

2.  In order for the Just God to pardon us from our sins, someone would have to pay the penalty for them.  He sent His only begotten Son to die, so that we could be pardoned (Jn. 12:27-33).  The phrase "sent Me" occurs in 33 verses in just the Gospel of John!  Yes, while we were yet sinners, Christ came, and He died for our sins (Rom. 5:8)!

3.  In order for us to believe Christ's sacrifice was acceptable to God, He raised Jesus from the dead (Acts 2:32; 4:10; 5:30; 10:40; 13:30)!  Romans 1:4 says, "And declared (Jesus) to be the Son of God with power, according to the Spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead."

4.  In order to be saved, a person must accept the risen Lord for who He is:  Lord!  Jesus said, "Ye call me Master and Lord: and ye say well; for so I am" (Jn. 13:13).  The Apostle Paul wrote: 

"But what saith it? The Word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the Word of faith, which we preach; that if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised Him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.  For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.  For the Scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on Him shall not be ashamed.  For there is no difference between the Jew and the Greek: for the same Lord over all is rich unto all that call upon Him.  For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved" (Rom. 10:8-13).

Saving is what Jesus does!  Lord is who Jesus is!