What must I do to be saved?

It may be that one reason many Christians are hesitant to share their faith in personal witness is that they are insecure about what to do if someone expresses real interest, how to answer if someone asks a pointed question. They may feel unqualified to deal with the biblical and theological issues a seeking person may raise. And to be candid, there is some validity to these concerns. Unless and until we are personally secure in our own understanding of what God has done for us and is doing, it will be extremely challenging to help someone else in this regard.

The apostle Paul and his ministry partner Silas did not hesitate when the Philippian jailer called out in fear, ‘What must I do to be saved?' They had an answer for him: 'Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ and you will be saved.' That sounds simple, but the implications are profound. When someone is called to belief in Christ, that is the beginning of a life-long journey of discipleship, following Jesus. It includes one's own recognition of the need of salvation (indicated by this jailer's question), a spirit of humility, confession and repentance from sin, and trust in the amazing grace of God in Christ to faithfully forgive and provide assurance of redemption.

If someone were to ask you, 'What must I do to be saved?' how might you respond?