There are some things we must do if we are to have an eternal home with
God. Many in this modern time don’t want to hear that, but it is still stated
that way in God’s word.

First of all, we must do something to be saved. In Acts 2:37-39 when the
people of Israel heard that they had crucified the one God had made both
Lord and Christ they knew they had to do something to be saved from
their sins. Peter told them they must “Repent and be baptized for the
forgiveness of your sins, and y ou will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.”
This promise was for them and all whom God will call.

The Philippian jailer also asked, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?”
Acts 16:30. When he and his family heard the truth they were immediately
baptized because they knew what they must do. They didn’t find reasons
not to do it or question what they heard, but went ahead with what they
had to do and were joyful about it.

Outside of Christ there is no salvation. Acts 4:12 says, “Salvation is
found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to
men by which we must be saved.” Our salvation is in Christ and no one
else, despite what much of the world believes today. So our hope must be
in Christ and not men.

After becoming Christians, there are two essentials to our salvation.
First, we must worship correctly. Jesus said, “God is a spirit, and His
worshippers must worship in spirit and in truth.” Worshipping correctly
will not save us unless we live right. This does not mean we have to live
perfect lives, because we can’t do that. We can strive always to be more
perfect and do good wherever we can. James 1:27 tells us the religion that
God accepts as pure and faultless is to look after orphans and widows in
distress and keep ourselves from being polluted by the world.

Second, we must appear in judgment. “For we must all appear
before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive what is due
him for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad.” This is
why we should always give our best efforts to the things we must do and
not worry so much about the trivial matters of life.

—Jim Keevert