What Must I do to be Saved?
The Human Condition - Created for God, Separated by Sin
God created humanity with profound dignity, in His own image and likeness (Gen 1:26). Yet Scripture makes clear that being human is more than biological life - we are spirit, soul and body - designed for fellowship with God. Without Christ, however, the human spirit stands separated from God because of sin. Though physically alive, a person apart from Christ remains spiritually dead and cut off from the life God intended. Only the Holy Spirit - who gives life - can restore what sin has fractured. Salvation is God's response to this alienation, bringing life from above into what was spiritually dead.
Jesus taught us, "That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit" (John 3:6). Salvation is not about self-improvement or turning over a new leaf. It begins with a profound inner work of God - a spiritual rebirth in which a person is made new from the inside out. This change goes far beyond behavior or external reform. In salvation, God Himself imparting His life to the believer and reshapes their identity, future and relationship with Him. To be saved is to receive a life that did not exist before.
Jesus and the Question of Salvation
The clearest teaching on salvation comes from Jesus Himself in His conversation with Nicodemus in John 3. Nicodemus - a respected religious leader - came to Jesus seeking truth. Jesus surprised him by saying, "Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God" (John 3:3).
Nicodemus is puzzled. How can a person already grown be born again? Jesus explains that He is not speaking of a natural birth, but of a work accomplished by God's Spirit saying, "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 3:5).
Later in the same discourse, Jesus revealed the heart of the Gospel, "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).
It is a spiritual rebirth brought about by God's Spirit and received through faith in Jesus Christ.
Salvation cannot be achieved through human effort, lineage or religious striving - that is akin to a dirty rag being used to clean a dirty dish - it is impossible. Salvation can only come through the spiritual birth brought about by the Holy Spirit.
No amount of good works or moral effort will get you to heaven - it is only the sacrifice of Jesus.
There was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews.
This man came to Jesus by night and said to Him, "Rabbi, we know that You are a teacher come from God; for no one can do these signs that You do unless God is with him."
Jesus answered and said to him, "Most assuredly, I say to you, 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. Do not marvel that I said to you, 'You must be born again.' The wind blows where it wishes and you hear the sound of it, but cannot tell where it comes from and where it goes. So is everyone who is born of the Spirit."
Nicodemus answered and said to Him, "How can these things be?"
Jesus answered and said to him, "Are you the teacher of Israel and do not know these things? Most assuredly, I say to you, We speak what We know and testify what We have seen and you do not receive Our witness. If I have told you earthly things and you do not believe, how will you believe if I tell you heavenly things? 13 No one has ascended to heaven but He who came down from heaven, that is, the Son of Man who is in heaven. And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life.
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.
For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved. "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"
What Salvation Actually Is
To be saved is to receive greater than reform or better behavior; it is to receive a new nature. The apostle Paul explains this decisive change, "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new" (2 Cor 5:17). This transformation is immediate and radical - old life passes away, and a new life begins.
Salvation is not about joining a church or adopting a religious label - it is about the Holy Spirit entering the human heart, breaking sin's dominion, awakening faith and drawing you into relationship with God. The apostle John affirms this gift of grace, "But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God... born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God" (John 1:12–13). Salvation is given to those who receive Christ, not earned by human effort.
What Should I do to be Saved?
Though the new birth is God's work, Scripture calls people to respond in faith, repenting from sin and trusting in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior. This means:
-
Acknowledge your need for salvation - recognize that sin separates you from God and that you cannot bridge that gap on your own (Rom 3:23, Rom 6:23).
-
Turn from sin (repent) - renounce and confess before God the sin of rejecting His Son, along with sins of anger, hatred and anything that opposes His will - and turn your heart fully toward Him. Make a decision to follow God and surrender to Him and His ways, and turn from sin.
-
Believe in Jesus - trust that Jesus died for your sins, was raised from the dead, and offers you eternal life by grace through faith (Eph 2:8–9).
-
Receive Christ as Lord and Savior - invite Him into your life, submitting to His rule and trust Him with your future. As Scripture promises, "Whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved" (Rom 10:13). He cannot lie (Num 23:19). Say out loud that Jesus is your Lord and you believe that He died and God raised Him from the dead and that your sins are washed by His Blood that was shed for you and me.
Salvation is a free gift, received by faith, not earned by works.
Jesus' words to Nicodemus are universal: "You must be born again" (John 3:7).
No amount of religion, morality or good intentions are enough!
The problem of sin goes too deep for human solutions. We need a new heart, a new nature, a new life - and this is what Christ offers. The invitation is open to all: If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new (2 Cor 5:17)
You now have to make a personal choice - what will you do?
Living as Someone Who Is Saved
True Christian life - walking in the new identity given at salvation - is evidenced not by perfection but by a renewed heart that desires what God desires, resists what God forbids, and loves what God loves. This ongoing transformation is carried out by the same Holy Spirit who brought the believer into new life. Much like in the natural, we know an apple tree is an apple tree by the fruit it bears, so it is with being born again - you bear the fruit of Jesus Christ! The Bible points to several signs:
- A growing likeness to Christ in character and actions
- A new love for God and His Word
- A desire to obey God and turn from sin
- A love and compassion for people to help them
- An inner witness of the Holy Spirit, assuring us of God's love
- A desire to share the Gospel, to heal the sick and cast out darkness - this is fulfilling the Great Commission of Jesus
These are not the cause of new birth, but the fruit of it - signs that God's life is at work within us.
The new birth is not the end, but the beginning of the Christian journey. Just as a newborn grows and matures, so believers are called to grow in grace, knowledge and Christlikeness. The Holy Spirit continues to work in us, transforming us. The new birth provides an unshakeable foundation. We are no longer slaves to fear or sin, but beloved sons and daughters. The same Spirit who raised Jesus from the dead lives in us, empowering us to walk in newness of life (Rom 8:11)
Suggested Additional Resources
- I'm a Good Person and Good Deeds Will Get Me to Heaven
- Why Worry About Eternity if Life After Death Can't be Proved?
- Because Jesus lives, I can face tomorrow
FAQ - New Identity in Christ
What does it mean to be saved?
Having a new identity in Christ means you are a new creation, with your old self passed away and your identity now hidden with Christ. You are adopted into God's family, set free from condemnation and empowered to live in righteousness by the Spirit.
Why is the old identity 'in Adam' replaced by new identity in Christ?
The old identity under Adam's sin is broken, marred by guilt and under the law. Through Christ, believers are transferred into a new identity - no longer bound by condemnation but free in grace, justified, redeemed and walking in newness of life.
What are key biblical truths about our new identity in Christ?
Key truths include: we are new creations (2 Corinthians 5:17), our life is hidden with Christ (Colossians 3:3), we died to sin (Romans 6:6), we are seated with Christ in heavenly places and we are children and heirs of God through faith in Jesus.
How does the new identity impact my daily life?
Your new identity transforms how you think, act and see yourself. Rather than relying on performance, you live out freedom, purpose and belonging. Daily you resist the old self, yield to the Spirit and reflect the character of Christ.
How can I live fully in my identity in Christ?
You live it out by renewing your mind with Scripture, abiding in Christ, rejecting false self-labels, embracing your adoption as God's child and letting the Spirit empower you to live with boldness, love and obedience.
Want to know more?
