Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God, and everyone who loves the father loves his child as well. This is how we know that we love the children of God: by loving God and carrying out his commands. 1 John 5:1-2

            What does it take to be saved?  What do we have to “do” to claim salvation and be free from the power of sin over our lives?  Often times when our conscience bothers us and we know that God is speaking to us through circumstances in our life, if nothing is done about it, our sense of condemnation can grow to an insurmountable size.  We feel lost and in need of help.  Where can we turn to receive help?

            In Acts 16 we read the story of Paul and Silas who were wrongfully placed in jail and God used an earthquake to shake the jailor to the core. In like manner, God may use traumatic events in our lives to shake us up and open our hearts to His working.  We may come under serious conviction and in desperation cry out, “What must I do to be saved?”

            The simplicity of the answer is astounding: Believe. When the jailor came to Paul and Silas in fear and trembling asking what they must do to be saved, the simple answer from Paul was, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved” (Acts 16:31).  Jesus’ mother Mary simply had to believe what the angel told her about the baby Messiah. The shepherds simply had to believe that the Savior was born.  The disciples simply had to believe that their Master was truly the King and Messiah they were waiting for.  The sick people who Jesus ministered to simply had to believe that this Physician was able to heal them.  They all needed to act on their faith, but the first step was to believe in their hearts.

            The same is true today.  We must simply believe in our heart that Jesus has the power to save us/rescue us from our sin, and He will.  If our belief is sincere, it will bring about a complete change in our hearts. We’ll no longer have to driving desire to live for ourselves and indulge our sinful desires.  With the power of God in our believing hearts, we become part of His family and our lives are so transformed, we can live pure lives in obedience to His Word.