What Salvation Is Not

Bill Brinkworth

To obtain salvation the Bible says one must:

Know they are a sinner and that they have not pleased God.
“For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;” Romans 3:23
Know that they are going to hell because of their sin.
“For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” Romans 6:23
Know that God loved them so much, that He let His own son, Jesus, die a terrible death on the cross as the ONLY payment for their sins.
“But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” Romans 5:8
Know that Jesus rose again and got victory over death, so we could also.
“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.” Romans 10:9
Ask God to save you from your sins, and you will 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..” Romans 10:10-11

The Bible DOES NOT say that salvation can be obtained by:

Doing many good works and earning one’s way to heaven.
“For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.” Ephesians 2:8-9
Believing there is a God and Jesus. Satan knows and has talked to both the Father and Son, and he is certainly not going to heaven. Believing and know there is a God is not enough.
“Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels:” Matthew 25:41
Believing you are a good person and worthy of heaven.
“As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one:” Romans 3:10
Obeying all the doctrines of a church, or even the Bible. Without Jesus as one’s Saviour they are just good deeds. Unless one receives Jesus as personal Saviour, all “religion” is in vain.
“Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.” John 14:6
“Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.” Matthew 7:22-23
Being a member of any church or religion alone will not guarantee anyone Heaven.
“This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men.” Matthew 15:8-9
Just having a saved mother, father, or a “grandfather that was a preacher”. Others’ salvation cannot get anyone into heaven. Salvation is a personal relationship with God. No one can get saved for us.

This lesson was featured in The Bible View #166.