It Isn’t That Easy

Being saved from the punishment of our sins is not as easy as many believe.  Being born-again is not accomplished by just saying a prayer.  There are no “magic words” that will get a person God’s promise of an eternity with Him.

There also is no particular place that will guarantee that heavenly promise.  The church altar in front of a church is a marvelous place to get alone with God and make commitments, beg for forgiveness of one’s transgressions, ask for His direction in a matter, and even to be born-again.  However, just praying there will not make one saved.

No matter who or what is used to deliver God’s message of salvation or where it was understood, it is only the Holy Spirit of God that can prick the heart of the lost person to be saved.  He must be involved to do the heart’s tugging, convicting, and understanding to get anyone saved.
“No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day.” John 6:44
“And he [Jesus] said, Therefore said I unto you, that no man can come unto me, except it were given unto him of my Father.” John 6:65

The work of receiving salvation is then done in one’s “heart.”  One must come to the point that their sins grieve them so much, and the weight of that conviction demands them to do what God says one must do to be saved. In desperation, they, at last, must realize that there is nothing they can do to escape their eternal punishment, but there is someone that paid the price so that they would never have to experience everlasting agony. That Saviour is Jesus!
“For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.” Rom. 10:10
“For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; 24 Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: 25 Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God;”  Romans 3:23-25

When the sincere, earnest “heart” gets in that honest-to-self and honest-to-God position, one can genuinely be saved.  The exact words that are cried out are not important.  It does not matter where they are said.  It is what the heart earnestly, desperately trusts that will save anyone. God will know if one is depending on what Jesus did on the cross of Calvary for their admittance into eternity with Him. 

God reads “hearts” more than words that are spoken, and certainly realizes that what is believed is genuine. One can cry, scream, and be emotional, but if absolute trust in Jesus and sincerity are not present, one will be as lost as they were before they sought salvation.

Many say, “Why, I believe in God,” or “I believe in Jesus.”  That alone is not the key to Heaven, either.  The devils believe, but they are not going to be with Jesus.  Satan believes; he has talked with God often, but he too is not going any place but the Lake of Fire. 

Good works, religious deeds, ceremonies, and unbiblical teachings must also be stricken from the salvation equation. There must be absolute trust that Jesus is the only way to Heaven attached to the belief.
“Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble.” James 2:19
“And the devil that deceived them was cast into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are, and shall be tormented day and night for ever and ever.” Rev. 20:10
“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

After a confessing heart cries out to God and relies solely on Jesus’ work at Calvary for salvation, there will be many changes in one’s life.  Too many, sadly, pray a prayer, but there is no transformation in their life.  They may have fooled themselves that they were saved, but they will not deceive God.
“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.” Rom. 10:9

Those with false assurance have no repentance nor no change of belief.  They do not seek God’s will and way. No lifestyle is altered.  There is no conversion. They are the same as they were before they prayed some words.  God is not deceived by their insincerity and false profession.
“Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.” II Cor. 5:17

Unfortunately, many who claim to be saved may not be born again (John 3:3). What a shocking surprise they will have when they open their eyes in the next world and discover it to be Hell. One can fool a preacher, a soul-winner, a parent, or a Sunday school teacher, but one cannot fool God.  Are you really saved?
“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? 23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.” Mat. 7:22-23
“Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: 14 Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.” Mat. 7:13

“We are saved by someone doing for us what we cannot do for ourselves.”  — Lester