Witness in the Word · Module 5 — What It Means to Actually Cross Over
Class 21 – How a Person Is Saved
Source: Death Then What, Chapter Twelve
Everything in this writing has been building toward this chapter. The condition of man, the reality of death, the continuation of the soul, the final judgment, and the two eternal destinations have all been established in plain terms.
If all of that is true—and it is, because Scripture declares it—then the only question that remains is the most important one a person will ever face in this life.
What must I do to be saved?
The answer is not complicated. God did not hide it or make it difficult to find or understand. It is stated plainly in Scripture, and plainly throughout this writing, but it must now be brought together in one place so that nothing is left unclear.
Before a man can understand what salvation is, he must understand why he needs it. Every man is born into a condition of sin. This is not something that applies to some people. It applies to all.
"For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God."
— Romans 3:23
Sin separates man from God. This separation is not a feeling or an impression. It is a condition.
"But your iniquities have separated you from your God; and your sins have hidden His face from you…"
— Isaiah 59:2
"For the wages of sin is death…"
— Romans 6:23
That death, as has been established in this writing, is not only the death of the body but spiritual separation from God. Without something changing that condition, the soul that continues after death continues in that separation — permanently. This is the condition of every man by nature; it is not a matter of degree, and it is not corrected by effort, good behavior, religious activity, or sincerity. The condition requires a solution that man cannot provide for himself.
Because man could not correct his own condition, God provided the solution. This is 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
God gave. He did not wait for man to reach up to Him. He reached down to man. He sent His Son, Jesus Christ, who lived without sin, and who took upon Himself the sin of every man.
"For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him."
— 2 Corinthians 5:21
Christ did not die as a martyr or merely as an example, but as a substitute — the penalty that belonged to every man was placed upon Him.
"But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; the chastisement for our peace was upon Him, and by His stripes we are healed."
— Isaiah 53:5
And He did not remain in the grave — He rose from the dead on the third day. Because He rose, death is defeated and the promise of resurrection and eternal life is available.
"For if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved."
— Romans 10:9
The work is complete. The provision is made. Nothing needs to be added to it. What remains is the response.
What Repentance Is
Salvation begins with repentance. This word is often misunderstood, so it must be defined clearly. Repentance is not simply feeling sorry. A man can feel sorry for what he has done without turning from it. Repentance is a change of direction. It is turning from self-governance and sin and turning toward God.
"Repent therefore and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out…"
— Acts 3:19
This turning is not partial or a negotiation; it is the recognition that the life lived apart from God has produced the condition that requires salvation, and the decision to turn from that condition toward the God who has provided the solution. Repentance does not save by itself, but without it the heart is not in a position to receive what God has provided.
What Belief Is
Belief is not intellectual agreement. It is not simply acknowledging that the facts of Christ's death and resurrection are historically true.
"You believe that there is one God. You do well. Even the demons believe—and tremble!"
— James 2:19
Demons acknowledge the truth. That acknowledgment does not save them. What Scripture calls belief is the full entrusting of oneself to Christ. It is placing the entire weight of eternal standing upon what He has done, not upon what the person has done or can do. It is believing in the heart, as Romans 10:9 states. Not simply in the mind. The heart is the inner man—the will, the soul, the center of the person. Belief that saves reaches into that center and submits it to Christ.
This kind of belief changes a person. It does not leave him the same. Because when a person genuinely entrusts himself to Christ, something happens within him.
"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new."
— 2 Corinthians 5:17
The new creation is not an improvement of what was there before. It is a new beginning. The same God who breathed life into Adam breathes new life into the man who comes to Him through Christ.
What Confession Is
Romans 10:9 also speaks of confession. With the mouth a person confesses the Lord Jesus. This is not a ceremony. It is the outward expression of what has been received inwardly.
"For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation."
— Romans 10:10
What is believed in the heart comes out in confession. Confession is agreement spoken aloud. It is declaring what is now true. I am a sinner. Christ is Lord. He died for me. He rose from the dead. I receive Him as my Lord and Savior. This is not a formula that produces salvation mechanically. It is the expression of a genuine internal reality. When the heart has turned and believed, the mouth will confess. And that confession is made unto salvation.
The Invitation Is Open
Salvation is not reserved for a particular kind of person, not withheld from those whose past is heavy, and not limited to those who feel worthy. No man who comes to God through Christ will be turned away.
"All that the Father gives Me will come to Me, and the one who comes to Me I will by no means cast out."
— John 6:37
"For whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved."
— Romans 10:13
Whoever. There is no condition placed on that word that excludes any sincere person. Whoever calls shall be saved. This is the promise. It stands on the character and faithfulness of God.
The invitation is open right now. It is not something that must be prepared for or delayed until life is more ordered. The Scripture does not say come when you are ready. It says:
"Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation."
— 2 Corinthians 6:2
Now. Not later. Not at a more convenient moment. Now is the day of salvation. Because no man is guaranteed tomorrow, and because what is determined in this life cannot be changed after death, the response that is needed is the response that is given today.
A Prayer of Salvation
If you have read this writing and you understand your condition, and you understand what God has provided through Christ, and you desire to receive that provision, then the following prayer is an expression of that decision.
This prayer does not save you by the words themselves. What saves is the genuine turning of the heart toward God that these words express. If these words reflect what is true within you, then pray them honestly before God.
Father, I acknowledge that I am a sinner. I understand that my sin has separated me from You, and that I cannot correct that condition on my own. I believe that Jesus Christ is Your Son, that He died in my place, and that You raised Him from the dead. I turn from my sin and I turn to You. I receive Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior. I confess Him with my mouth and believe in my heart. Forgive my sins and cleanse me by His blood. Make me new. Fill me with Your Holy Spirit. I am Yours. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
If you prayed that prayer sincerely, Scripture gives you the assurance of what has taken place.
"Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ."
— Romans 5:1
Peace with God. The separation that existed because of sin is now removed. The condition that required salvation has been addressed. You are no longer standing on the outside. You have been brought in.
"There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus…"
— Romans 8:1
No condemnation. The judgment that awaited you as a man separated from God no longer applies. You are in Christ Jesus. The Book of Life now carries your name. The second death has no power over you.
"He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life."
— 1 John 5:12
Having the Son means having life — life that does not end at death, but continues, is transformed at the resurrection, stands before God at the judgment covered by the righteousness of Christ, and enters the eternity described in the preceding chapters of this writing.
What Comes Next
Salvation is the beginning, not the end. The life that follows is a life of growing in the knowledge of God, learning His Word, and allowing what is written to govern thought, speech, and conduct. These things do not produce salvation. They are the natural result of it.
Find a community of believers where Scripture is taught faithfully. Read the Word of God. Pray. Allow the Holy Spirit who now dwells within you to lead.
And when death comes—as it will, for every man—it will not be an appointment you face with fear. It will be the doorway into the presence of the One you already know.
"O Death, where is your sting? O Hades, where is your victory? The sting of death is sin, and the strength of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ."
— 1 Corinthians 15:55–57
Death, then what?
For the one who belongs to Christ—life. Permanent, unending, in the presence of God. That is the answer Scripture gives. And that is the answer that stands.
It is written. And that settles the matter.
For Reflection
Read: Romans 10:9–13; 1 Corinthians 15:55–57
1. "Death, then what?" How would you answer that question honestly, right now, if it happened to you tonight?
2. The chapter says Scripture gives one clear answer, not a guess. Where has your own confidence about salvation been more guess than certainty?
3. What in this chapter would you want a loved one to understand before it was too late for them to act on it?
This Week: Share this chapter’s answer with one person this week who needs to hear it plainly.