The Pathway to Salvation

What must I do to be saved? As a human being travels along the pathway of life, somewhere along the way he is confronted with this mystery. We ask ourselves about the meaning of life, the short duration of time which we have to live, the fleeting years which slip by so rapidly, especially as we advance in age, the meaning of death, and the possibility of a life in the hereafter. We are puzzled by the lack of an answer to these questions in nature around us, although there is a hint of renewal by the progression of each cycle of seasons.

Is there proof of an afterlife that physical man can understand? What steps must a person take to achieve salvation?

An Everlasting Agreement

In passages such as Deuteronomy 11:21 and Jeremiah 32:40, we can see that Almighty Yahweh has promised eternal life to those who enter an everlasting agreement with Him. This serves as proof or an assurance of an afterlife. In Deuteronomy 11, Yahweh admonishes the children of Israel through the words of Moses. In this chapter, Yahweh explains that if they diligently listen to His commandments, He will bless them with immortality (eternal life). Verse 21 reads, “That your days may be multiplied, and the days of your children, in the

land which Yahweh swore to your fathers to give them, as the days of the

heavens above the earth.” Yahshua the Messiah also promised eternal life to the sheep who hear his voice [John 10:27-28]. Yahshua’s life is our example, and by His resurrection we also shall be raised to immortality, which He now enjoys, if we have been faithful to the end [Romans 5:9-10].

Following Yahshua’s Example

The Scriptures teach that following Yahshua’s example is an integral part of our walk towards salvation. 1 Peter 2:21-22 says, “For to this were you called: because the Messiah also suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow his steps: who did no sin, neither was guile found in his mouth…”.

That is the example of our Saviour: living a life free from sin and speaking no falsehood (false doctrine). But what exactly is sin? We must interpret the

meaning of the word ‘sin’ using the Scriptures. 1 John 3:4 says, “Everyone that commits sin also transgresses the law: for sin is the transgression of the law.”

Based on this scripture, we understand that breaking Yahweh’s rules of life and

disobeying His directions for living is sin. Furthermore, Romans 6:23 says that the wages of sin is death. Therefore, if we want eternal life, we must strive to get sin out of our lives.

The Whole Man

What is the ingredient that will make the human being complete? A simple and clear answer is given in Ecclesiastes 12:13. It reads, “Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: all has been heard: fear Elohim, and keep his commandments; for this is the whole of man.” Our whole duty as humans is to keep the commandments of Almighty Yahweh, obeying His wishes concerning

how we should live.

Repentance

Acts 2 is a very moving passage of scripture for many Bible-readers. On the Day of Pentecost, a large congregation gathered to keep this holy feast. All of a sudden, there came a sound as of the rushing of a mighty wind, and fire appeared to sit on those in attendance. Miraculously, people were able to speak to each other in other languages, and every man heard them speaking in his own language. The apostle Peter proceeded to preach a powerful sermon, revealing

that Yahshua is the Messiah, the Son of Yahweh, and that He was killed, being a sinless, innocent man. However, He was resurrected and is now at the right hand of Yahweh. In verse 37, we see that members of the congregation were pricked in their hearts and asked Peter a probing question, “Brethren, what shall we

do?” Peter’s answer was prompt and straightforward: “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Yahshua the Messiah to the remission of your sins, and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit,” (verse 38).

Repentance means to be broken up and sorry for your disobedience to Almighty Yahweh and His commandments. Repentance will motivate action! Repentance

will cause you to desire to keep Yahweh’s righteous Law of liberty, so that you will be free from the bondage of sin.

A Fresh Start

After repentance, you will desire to get baptised, which is an immersion into a

symbolic death and burial of the old man with his sin-laden burden. The

repentant sinner will rise from the water of baptism with a new life, a clean slate, a new start [Romans 6].

The Blood of the Messiah

A lot of people ignore the fact that there has been a blood sacrifice for our sins. The Scriptures teach that all things are cleansed with blood [Hebrews 9:22]. Blood makes atonement for our souls [Leviticus 17:11]. We must never forget

that Yahshua the Messiah was wounded for our transgressions. He was wounded on our behalf, although we never deserved such a sacrifice. Isaiah 53:5 reads, “But he was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities; the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we

are healed”. Only the perfect sacrifice of Yahshua the Messiah could cover our sins. We cannot be saved without accepting Yahshua’s blood and living in anticipation of His second coming.

The Sacred Name

The Scriptures also teach that using the Sacred Names is essential for salvation. Acts 4:12 reads, “And in none other is there salvation: for neither is there any other name under heaven, that is given among men, in which we must be saved”. What name is this passage speaking about? The Name of the Redeemer is Yahshua the Messiah, which means ‘Yahweh is Salvation’. This was the

Name which He was given by the angel in Matthew 1:21. He was a Hebrew, an Israelite of the tribe of Judah, and would definitely have had a Hebrew Name.

Yahshua himself said that Yahweh sends the Holy Spirit in His Name (John 14:26).

The Holy Spirit

Receiving and nourishing the Holy Spirit will empower an individual to serve and obey Almighty Yahweh. A person receives the Holy Spirit after baptism. It is a power from on High (Luke 24:49). It is the holy life, mind, character, and personality of the Heavenly Father. It is important that we do nothing to disrupt the Holy Spirit because Yahweh gives His Spirit to those who obey Him (Acts

5:32).

A New Way of Life

The pathway to salvation is something we must practice every day of our lives. We must live with our minds set on the Kingdom of Yahweh and eternal life (Colossians 3:2 ). We must become refreshed and renewed, constantly examining ourselves, repenting of our sins, and trying to be better day by day (Acts 3:19-20). Moreover, we must endure to the end, never giving up (Matthew 24:13 ).

“I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of Yahweh, to present your

bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to Yahweh, which is your spiritual service. And be not fashioned according to this world: but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is the good and acceptable and perfect will of Yahweh”. (Romans 12:1-2)

Conclusion

In this article, I have given you key scriptures which will point you toward the way to salvation. What are you going to do with them? Will you continue through this open door, or will you pass negligently by, to the broad way which leads to destruction?

Ulrika Sutherland.

Assemblies of Yahweh SVG.