How to Be Saved

The Motivation to Be Saved

In the first part of the discussion on Transactional Salvation, I employed the following three paragraphs to dive into the aspect of motivation regarding being saved. I would like to discuss that a bit more now.

- Romans 10:13, KJV, "For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved." "Cool. That's all I gotta do. Here goes. 'Lord Jesus, please save me. Thank You so much for saving me.' That was easy. Transaction done. Now, I can get on with my life since I got the Heaven or Hell question answered. Boy, was that ever easy!"

This person just prayed The Sinner's Prayer, making what could be considered a mental transaction. "Salvation is something I choose for myself. I paid the price of momentary prayer, doing what the Bible said. Now, God's obligated to save me because that is what the verse said he would do."

Is Salvation a simple prayer that prevents one's condemnation to Hell, where the residents forever experience the Wrath of God? Or is Salvation something other than what a human being can transact by using the wording of a specific Bible verse (or verses)? - (from Part 1)

- Verse #13 could lead someone to think that mental assent in prayer saves. However, this entire chapter shows that the attitude of one's heart, changed by the work of The Holy Spirit, is that which saves. We call (verse 13) because we are called. (verse 17)

The Gospel includes the Truth of God's Command in the Garden of Eden, broken by Adam and Eve, resulting in eternal separation from God in Hell, forever experiencing His Wrath. However, Jesus' sinless life, and His Death, Burial, and Resurrection provide Substitutionary Atonement and Substitutionary Perfection to those who are called unto Salvation. Those who hear this inner call are saved.

We must consider more about the heart. This goes beyond Transactional Salvation. - (from Part 2)

- John 6:24-27 focuses on Jesus' pointed conversation with fair-weather followers about their motivation for following Him. In verses 24-25, the people go chasing after Jesus, and when they find Him, they ask, "How long have you been here?" In verse 26, The Lord Jesus calls them out, regarding their motivation, ignoring their question altogether. Then, He underscores the fact that eternal needs have greater value than temporal needs. - (from Part 3)

Motivation is the key regarding our dealings with The Lord. God sees our hearts. We can't even will (or choose) right motivations in order to bluff God into saving us. He sees every layer of motivation behind each stated or thought motivation.

“But the LORD said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the LORD seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart.” (I Samuel 16:7, KJV)

Let us consider this passage of Scripture in Matthew 7 from Jesus' Sermon on the Mount, "16 Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles?

17 Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit.

18 A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit.

19 Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.

20 Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.

21 Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.

22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?

23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity." (Matthew 7:16-23, KJV)

The Lord sees each motivation for everything we do for Him. May God grant that each motivation is pure and right before His Eyes.

“Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do.” (Hebrews 4:13, KJV)

by Jay O'Toole
on June 21st, 2025