Who Then Can Be Saved?

Most of the time we face many things hard to bear, and at other times, problems simple to solve. Day and night, we face better things and worse things happening, both in the world and in our life in Christ. Sometimes the words we hear bring joy, at other times even fear. Consider the words of Jesus: “It is more difficult for the rich to enter the Kingdom of God than for a camel to go through the eye of a needle” (Luke18). Those who were listening asked, “Who then can be saved?” Jesus gave a straightforward but brilliant answer, “Nothing is impossible for God”. No one who has left all to follow him, for the sake of the kingdom, will fail to receive many times as much to come – even eternal life (v18-30). With that assurance, if we wholeheartedly seek his word, then we can have that life. Let us consider a few things that will help us to be saved.

Trusting in the only Lord and Saviour

Daniel and his friends knew that no matter what King Nebuchadnezzar would say, they would not serve any other god apart from the Lord their (and our) God. When Daniel’s three friends were threatened to be thrown into the blazing furnace, they fearlessly said, “We do not need to defend ourselves in this matter… the God we serve will save us from it … But even if he does not, we know that we will not serve or worship any god or the image you have set up” (Daniel 3:13-18). With much courage they said these things to the furious king, who ended up throwing them into the blazing furnace, but the God they served saved them. We, too, should have that courage and trust in the Lord to be saved. Our forefathers cried to the Lord, and they were saved, though they sinned against Him. We too, though sinful, can turn to him and He will save us. David, foreseeing (prophesying) the Lord Jesus’ sufferings, cried out to the Lord (Psalm 22:1-5), and we know he was saved, but no king with his numerous army can be saved by them (Psalm 33:16). So, we need to put our trust in the Lord God, and in His son Jesus Christ (John 14:1-4).

The Advice to Repent and Live

When the Lord’s people (Israel) offended Him, He brought severe punishment upon them. There was only one, way they could get back to Him, having again that assurance that they will be accepted by Him and that was, providing they repented. “If you repent, I will restore you …. I will make you a wall to this people, a fortified wall of bronze … declares the Lord. I will save you from the hands of the wicked, and redeem you from the grasp of the cruel” (Jeremiah 15:19-21).

Ezekiel also records: “Therefore, O house of Israel, I will judge you according to your ways, each one of you, declares the Sovereign Lord. Repent! Turn away from your offences... Rid yourselves from all the offences you have committed, and get a new heart and new spirit. Why would you die, O house of Israel? … Repent and live” (Ezekiel18:30-32).

John’s baptism was one of repentance. He preached that people should repent of their evil ways to enter life. The Lord Jesus said the same) and “unless you repent, you ill perish” (Matt 3:2; 4:17;Luke13:3).

When Jesus was taken up to heaven, his disciples were sent with full authority, to tell the people to “repent and be baptised.” With much emphasis on repentance, we should be aware that we do wrong in many ways. No one can spend 24 hours without stumbling in one way or another. No-one is good and upright. So we need to be prayerful, seeking the Lord’s forgiveness day after day, then he will save us from that wrath due to befall those who do not by any means acknowledge his presence and power.

Seeking God’s kingdom FIRST, not our own riches

We are all of different backgrounds and what comes into a person’s mind depends to some extent upon how he or she is brought up. There are so-called ‘rich’ people, as well as ‘poor’ people. But we must be careful. Worldly riches may only ruin our responsibility to God’s duties. We may be in great need of things we love the most, but we do not get them. We may wonder why. The Bible constantly tells us that those who seek the Lord’s favour find a good thing. We do not need to worry because we are poor, for sush are “Blessed” (Mat 5:3-12). We should all consider our ways, and always do good to please the Lord our God. Those who are rich should not depend on their riches. We should ‘store up our treasure in heaven’ bove all this, we should “Seek first God’s kingdom and righteousness, and everything will be given us” but only if we earnestly “seek” first (Mat 6:33). If we are rich in this world and don’t consider the Lord’s word so important, then we will be lost in our riches. The Lord warns such people that “A man’s life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions” (Luke 12:15). Verse 16 goes on the tell about the rich fool, and what happened to him in the end. This is a warning to us. We need to watch out!

Holding firmly to God’s word

We will see that when we do the above things and please the Lord, then the question “Who then can be saved?” will be answered. To bind all things up - we need to hold firmly to the Lord’s word, and keep His ways. We do not need to be tossed here and there by every kind of ‘false’ teaching or the worries of this life, for our life to come will be so, so special, and all peaceful and loving. Let us “not let the book of Law depart from our mouth, but to meditate upon it day and night … then we will be successful and prosperous in all we do” (Joshua 1:8). “Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised it is faithful” (Heb 10:23).

Dear Brothers and Sisters in the Lord, there is an assurance of life eternal if we draw near to the Lord, if we trust in Him, if we repent of our sins, and seek first His kingdom and hold firmly to His word of life, to the end. May His love be upon us all as we await His Son’s return and may that be soon.

Bro Silas K Chishimba (Mufulira, Zambia)