Then he called for a light, ran in, and fell down trembling before Paul and Silas. And he brought them out and said, "Sirs, what must I do to be saved?" Acts 16:29-30

It is infrequent, if ever, that we will be asked point blank, “What must I do to be saved?” But isn’t the lost world around us asking this question all the time? Are they not seeking “salvation” in all their pursuits (though apart from Christ there is no salvation)? Are not education, career, family, entertainment, health, government, man-centered religion, etc., etc., etc., what the world is calling to for “salvation” from the emptiness, anger, and yes, the guilt in their lives? Which of these pursuits can produce complete or lasting deliverance from our woes—even in this life, much less in the life to come?

Acts 4:12 clearly states, “Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved." Jesus not only delivers sinners from the penalty of sin when we die and are judged, but He gives us grace, peace, and joy even in this life while troubles yet surround us.

May we have ears to hear the cry of the lost for all their hopeless pursuits as a cry for salvation. And let us be reminded by the Holy Spirit that we are Christ’s representatives tasked with pointing people to Him. They will answer to Him for their response. We will answer to Him for whether or not we tell people about Christ.

The reality is, we are frequently asked, “What must I do to be saved?” if only we had ears to hear it!