Is That All There Is?

Belief that God is the only living God and Jesus is his son who died for our sins–believing that we are sinners in need of a savior and making Jesus Lord of our lives–that’s ALL that’s required for salvation, right?

Q. Not to belabor the point, but: Belief that God is the only living God and Jesus is his son who died for our sins–believing that we are sinners in need of a savior and making Jesus Lord of our lives–that’s ALL that’s required for salvation, right? So, the question is–all the other stuff that people read, interpret, come to believe as doctrine, or accept as fact is separate and apart from that basic requirement of belief and acceptance, isn’t it? No matter how wrong we end up getting everything else, as long as we meet the most basic requirement of faith–belief–we’re saved, right?

A. Right. As long as none of the “other stuff” adds to or modifies the required belief, we can be certain of our salvation. In John 6:28 Jesus said that all God requires is belief in the One He has sent. Many other verses confirm this truth, and none deny it.

Regarding the phrase “making Jesus Lord of our lives” I assume you meant asking Him to be your Savior and dwell in your heart. Some take that phrase to mean that that we also agree to obey a bunch of rules to either complete or maintain the work of our salvation. That adds to and modifies the requirement.