How to Be Saved: Biblical Steps to Salvation
Most of my life, I have heard the call to repeat the "sinner's prayer" as if saying the words alone could earn salvation. It is often presented as a simple formula: say a prayer, admit your sins, and presto, you are saved. I have learned, however, that salvation is not a one, two, three-step checklist. It is more than just words or actions.
True salvation goes much deeper, and in this post, we will explore what the Bible teaches about how to be saved.
Why Hearing the Gospel is Essential for Salvation
How can you know anything if you have never heard it? Hearing the message of the gospel of Jesus Christ is the first step toward salvation.
“How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher?”
— Romans 10:14
I first heard the wonderful good news of the gospel as a young child. Every time I hear it, my understanding grows deeper and richer. No matter how old I am, the message never grows old, and it always draws me closer to God.
When Jesus taught the crowds by the seaside, He said more than once:
“Whoever has ears, let them hear.”
— Luke 8:8
He was not just asking people to listen. He was calling them to truly pay attention and consider His words with the intention to understand and respond.
Hearing is not passive. It requires attention, an open heart, and a willingness to receive the truth God is speaking.
Believing in Jesus: Faith That Transforms
Since I first heard the message of the gospel, my faith in Christ began to grow. The truth grabbed hold of me, and I knew it was real. Some might think I just heard it as a child in church, but that was not the case. Over time, the gospel message became clearer to me, and my heart was convinced that trusting in Jesus is the only way to salvation.
Believing in Jesus is more than just agreeing that He existed or that the gospel is true. True faith in Christ is faith of the heart, a trust that changes how we think, what we desire, and how we live.
Evidence-Based Faith: Thomas, Bereans, and Eyewitnesses
Some people think that believing must be blind. Scripture shows us that faith can be informed and confident. Here are a few examples:
Thomas: He wanted to see Jesus’ wounds before he believed. Jesus did not condemn him. Instead, He invited Thomas to see for himself. (John 20:24-29) Faith that is informed by evidence is still faith, it is trusting after understanding, not just speculation.
The Bereans: When Paul preached in Berea, the people received the message with eagerness, but they examined the Scriptures daily to see if what he said was true. (Acts 17:11) Their faith was open-hearted and thoughtful. They trusted, but they also verified.
The Eyewitnesses: The apostles and those who personally saw Jesus’ ministry, miracles, death, and resurrection gave testimony. Their reports are the foundation of the gospel. Believing in Jesus is not blind faith; it is trusting the evidence and allowing the Holy Spirit to confirm it in your heart.
Faith Without Seeing: The Blessing of Trusting
Scripture also shows us that there is a blessing in believing without seeing. Jesus said:
Blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed.
John 20:29
This kind of faith is a trust that rests fully in God and His Word, even when we cannot see or verify everything with our own eyes. It is a faith that carries deep conviction, shapes our lives, and connects our hearts to God.
Faith transforms. It is not just about accepting facts. It is allowing your heart to be convinced, so your thoughts, choices, and desires align with God. True belief carries weight. It changes life and leads to salvation.
Repent: Turning Your Heart Toward God
Repentance is something that I did not grasp early on because I thought it was the sinner's prayer that qualified as repentance. Over time, I learned that true repentance is much more than just words. It is a change of heart and mind that shows itself in how we live and act.
Empty Words vs. True Repentance
Sometimes people say the words but do not truly turn to God. Scripture gives us examples:
King Saul – He claimed to repent after disobeying God, but his actions revealed a heart that had not truly turned. (1 Samuel 15)
The people of Judah – They would turn back to God outwardly, yet their hearts remained far from Him. (Jeremiah 3:10)
These examples show that true repentance involves more than just saying “Lord, I repent.” God looks at the heart and the changes it produces.
Conviction of the Heart
God warned Ezekiel about the people who spoke the words of repentance without truly turning to Him. They were not just rejecting Ezekiel; they were rejecting God Himself. Even when God’s words were spoken through His prophet, their hearts remained far from Him. (Ezekiel 33:30-33)
True repentance is born from conviction, not condemnation. It produces a realignment of the mind, heart, and actions toward God.
Jesus on Repentance
Jesus also called out people whose repentance was only on their lips:
Ye hypocrites, well did Isaiah prophesy of you, saying, This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me.
Matthew 15:7-8
God desires a genuine heart change, not just outward words. Repentance is a turning of the mind and heart that results in a life aligned with God’s ways.
Confession: Speaking Your Faith Out Loud
I recognize that everyone has a different calling. Some are preachers, teachers, evangelists, and they are usually the ones out there sharing boldly. But what about in everyday conversations with friends? Do you find yourself going along with worldly talk because you don’t want them to think of you as religious or a Christian?
Confession is not just for public ministry. It is the outward expression of the faith and repentance that God has already worked in your heart. It shows that your belief in Jesus is real, alive, and shaping the way you live.
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.
Romans 10:9-10
Even ordinary people can make a powerful confession. Consider the woman at the well in John 4. She met Jesus, recognized Him as the Messiah, and immediately went to tell her town. Her bold sharing brought others to hear Christ. Or Bartimaeus, the blind beggar in Mark 10. He called out to Jesus for mercy, and after receiving healing, he followed Him openly. Their faith and courage show that confession is not limited to religious leaders, it is for anyone whose heart has been changed.
Confession in Lifestyle
Confession is more than spoken words. Your daily choices and actions can be a powerful witness of faith.
Integrity in daily life: Choosing to live a life walking in the Spirit in work, school, or home honors God. (James 2:14-17)
Serving others: Acts of love and service reflect Christ and glorify God. (Matthew 5:16)
Standing for Godly principles: Resisting worldly pressures and living with moral courage shows faith in action. (1 John 1:6-7)
Lifestyle confession and verbal confession work together. Walking in the light, living truthfully, and boldly proclaiming your faith are all ways to confess Jesus to the world, not just in words but in life itself. (Matthew 10:32-33; Acts 2:38-41)
Confession flows naturally from believing and repenting. When your heart trusts Christ and turns from sin, your words and actions will reflect that faith. It is not about showing off; it is about being authentic in who you are in Christ.
Call on the Lord: Responding to God’s Invitation
Calling on the Lord is more than saying a prayer or repeating words. It is responding to God’s invitation with your whole heart, trusting Him, and committing to live in alignment with His ways. Salvation begins when we call on Him, but it also continues as we grow in relationship and obedience.
And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved.
Acts 2:21
I first realized the power of calling on the Lord as I began to understand that faith, repentance, and confession are all connected. Believing in Jesus is one thing, turning from sin is another, and openly confessing Him is yet another. But responding to God’s call ties it all together. It is saying, “Lord, I hear You. I trust You. I will follow You.”
The New Testament shows us that calling on the Lord is an active choice. In Revelation 3:20, Jesus stands at the door and knocks. We must respond by opening the door of our hearts. It is not a passive act, it is a deliberate turning toward God.
The promise is clear: whosoever calls will be saved. (Romans 10:13) This call is both a beginning and a lifelong journey. The Spirit enables us to cry out to God as Father, drawing us into intimacy and dependence on Him. (Galatians 4:6)
Calling on the Lord is not just for moments of prayer. It is living in a way that acknowledges Him as Lord every day. Your choices, your actions, your reliance on God, and your trust in His guidance are all part of responding to His call. (Philippians 2:10-11)
When you call on the Lord with a genuine heart, you enter into salvation, fellowship, and a relationship that transforms your life. It is the natural result of believing, repenting, and confessing. Responding to His call is the step that turns faith into life, obedience, and ongoing fellowship with Him.
Hi, I’m Dana, the voice behind Exhortations for Today. I’m a grandmother called Nonna, a home cook, and an aspiring quilter. I believe in the power of God’s Word to recharge and renew the weary soul. Here, I share devotionals, Bible study tips, and reflections on living a faith-filled life. Want to learn more about my journey? Read more about me here.
