Faith & Reason Nexus

Acts 16:19-31

When the Philippian jailer asked, “What must I do to be saved?” the response was clear and immediate. Salvation is not a passive experience; it requires action. Let’s look at what we must do according to the Bible:

1. I must not imagine that there is nothing for me to do.
Salvation is not something that happens to us without any involvement on our part. We are called to respond to God’s grace actively.

2. I must not put off doing what I am supposed to do.
Procrastination is dangerous. Salvation must be pursued now, not delayed for a later time when it’s more convenient.

3. I must not wait for God to do for me what I can and must do for myself.
God has done His part through Jesus Christ. Now, He expects us to do our part—believing, repenting, and obeying His commands.

4. I must not wait for some peculiar feeling to authenticate my salvation.
Salvation is not about a certain emotional experience. It’s about faith and obedience. The Bible says, “He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned.” (Mark 16:16)

5. I must not wait for the plan of Salvation to change to better suit me. It won’t!
The plan of salvation is fixed. It does not adapt to our preferences or desires. We must change to align with it.

6. I must not leave my personal salvation in the hands of someone else.
Salvation is a personal decision. No one can make it for you. We must each make the choice to follow God’s will.

7. I must not try to include anything in my salvation that is not in the Bible.
Our salvation must be based solely on what the Bible teaches, not on traditions or personal preferences.

8. I must not leave anything out of my salvation that is included in the Bible.
God’s plan for salvation is complete and comprehensive. We must not omit any part of it, whether it be faith, repentance, baptism, or living faithfully.

9. I must not consult what man teaches in the matter, but what God teaches.
The Bible is our sole authority in matters of salvation. It is not what man teaches, but what God teaches through His Word that matters.

Acts 16:33 – “And immediately he and all his family were baptized.”
This is the proper response to the question, “What must I do to be saved?” Immediate obedience to God’s plan of salvation is necessary.

WE NOW HAVE A CHOICE:

1. We can live a life with God or a life without God.
   • The choice to live with God brings peace, purpose, and eternal life.
2. We can live a God-centered life or a self-centered life.
   • A life focused on God brings fulfillment and true meaning, while a self-centered life leads to emptiness and separation from God.

The key question is, “What must I DO?”

• It is not what must I think.
• It is not what must I feel.
• It is not what must I believe.
• It is what must I DO?

James 2:17 – “Faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.”

The question is clear: Salvation requires action. The Bible teaches that we must actively follow God’s plan through belief, repentance, confession, and baptism to be saved. What will you do today?