Pastor Jerry McGhee
Rev. Jerry McGhee, Pastor, Sun Lakes Community Church
Acts 16:25-34
The Apostle Paul and his companion Silas were in jail and in stocks. At midnight, an earthquake opened the cell door and set them free of the stocks. The jailer came running in fear, thinking that his prisoners had escaped.
When he saw that Paul and Silas were still there, he asked a clear, direct question. “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” The answer he received was equally clear and direct: “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved.”
The simplicity of the answer has confused many who want a more complicated system of religious beliefs. Others are not ready to ask the question, “What must I do to be saved?” Because they do not realize they are lost… defined as being separated from God by reason of sin.
Without doing sacrilege to the Scriptures, let me ask the reverse question: “What must one do to be lost?” or “What must one do to remain lost?” The simplest answer is “Do nothing.” The Scriptures tell us that “Whosoever believes in Him (Jesus) is not condemned, but whosoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son.” John 3:18.
Based upon the Scriptures, a person needs only to continue not trusting in, or following Jesus Christ and one will remain spiritually lost. Being separated from God requires no special effort or extra sinning, for unbelief is the one sin that cannot be forgiven until one changes his/her mind and turns in faith to trust in Jesus Christ for forgiveness and salvation. The Scriptures say, “Believe (trust) in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved.”
“Saved” means forgiven, reconciled to God and made a “member of God’s household.” Ephesians 2:19. If you haven’t done so, please believe today.