We must be willing to do what Paul said when he exhorted the Corinthians: “Examine yourselves, to see whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves.” So let’s “examine ourselves” in regard to how a person should respond to the gospel. What do the Scriptures teach?
The question “What must I do to be saved?” has a scriptural answer, and that answer involves the doing of some things. If we’re not willing to do the things the Lord commands, we need not expect that the gift of forgiveness will be bestowed.
The Bible teaches that there are conditions attached to the reception of God’s grace. Some individuals will accept those conditions and receive God’s gift, but others will refuse those conditions and forfeit the gift they might have received.
By God’s grace, our salvation has been made possible. The way back home has been opened up — and the decision now rests with us whether we will receive His gift or refuse it. It is time for us, as the old hymn said, to “trust and obey.”
Christ having died for us, God can consider us just without being unjust to His own law. Paul said it this way in Romans 3:26: “It was to show his righteousness at the present time, so that he might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus.”
In Romans 1:5 and 16:26, Paul wrote that the preaching of the gospel of Christ was “to bring about the obedience of faith.” What would obedience be if it was “of faith,” and how would that be different from any other kind of obedience?
