A simple reading of this passage makes it seem quite easy, doesn't it? OK, I believe Jesus lived, existed, and is God's son. Now I have eternal life! Now I will get whatever I want when I get to Heaven! I can do what I want to do now and have eternal life! What a deal!
Yeah, we seem to naturally know there is more to it than that. Some people figure they just have to keep God from getting too ticked off at them and they will be good to go. Others, figure if they can keep the church happy and say the right prayers they will be OK.
The truth lies in the word believe. When we believe in Jesus we aren't just acknowledging his existence. We determine to be everything Jesus represented by His life. Jesus represents that God is present with us and is blessing us. Jesus represents that God does love us and is willing to sacrifice for us. But Jesus also represents our own need to willingly sacrifice for others.
I believe that only those who desire to serve God for eternity will live with God eternally. I don't believe that God will force, those who wish to only serve themselves, to serve Him. I also don't believe that a person can enter heaven intent on getting what they want. Can you imagine that scenario? Can you imagine a scenario where everyone is trying to get what they want? Isn't that what we have right now? Instead I imagine a scenario where everyone seeks to serve each other. It is this desire to love one another that will give us harmony and unity.
I believe that in order to be saved, one must live like Jesus. Certainly we realize that we will fall short, but the part that matters will be our intentions, our desires, and our attitude. Are we allowing God to do what is necessary to transform us from people who serve ourselves into people who love each other and seek to serve one another?
In John chapter 14, Jesus says this:
12 Truly, truly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do, he will do also; and greater works than these he will do; because I go to the Father. 13 Whatever you ask in My name, that will I do, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son. 14 If you ask Me anything in My name, I will do it.
15 “If you love Me, you will keep My commandments."
Luke chapter 10, says this
25 On one occasion an expert in the law stood up to test Jesus. “Teacher,” he asked, “what must I do to inherit eternal life?”
26 “What is written in the Law?” he replied. “How do you read it?”
27 He answered, “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind"; and, ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’”
28 “You have answered correctly,” Jesus replied. “Do this and you will live.”
In the New Testament, there are many commands that Jesus gives, but they all find the above as their foundation. All of our actions should reveal our love for God and our neighbor. There should be nothing more important in our lives than that. Gaining status or materials, our family, loved ones, nothing in life is more important than loving God with everything and loving our neighbor. Because out of that we will love in the manner that we should love, selflessly. Otherwise you will find that your love is actually conditional and based on what that item or person provides for you. It is only through a love that you gain from God that allows you to love without concern for yourself.
In summary, what you must do to be saved, is to love as God loves. Yes. It is impossible for you to do. That is why you can only be saved, by giving Jesus permission to lead and guide your life so that your heart can be transformed.
