Short answer

You are saved by trusting in Jesus Christ, not by earning it. Admit that you need God’s forgiveness, believe that Jesus died and rose again for you, and ask Him to be your Lord. God promises that everyone who calls on His name will be saved.

A gift, not a wage

Many people assume that God keeps a ledger and that we need to do more good than bad. The Bible says something far better. For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast (Ephesians 2:8-9).

Grace means God’s kindness to people who have not earned it. Jesus has already done everything needed for our forgiveness on the cross. Our part is to receive it.

Turn and trust

Paul puts the response in one sentence: If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved (Romans 10:9). Confessing Jesus as Lord means handing Him the steering wheel of your life. Believing He rose means trusting that He is alive and able to save.

Repentance and faith go together. Repentance is turning away from sin; faith is turning towards Jesus. Both happen in the same movement of the heart.

A prayer you could pray

There are no magic words, but many people find it helps to say something like this out loud: “Lord Jesus, I know I have sinned and I need You. Thank You for dying for me and rising again. I turn from my old life and I trust You. Be my Lord and Saviour from today. Amen.”

If you prayed that and meant it, God has heard you. For everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved (Romans 10:13).

How this connects across the Bible

The Bible is one story. Here is how this theme runs from the Old Testament to Jesus:

  • Abraham was counted righteous simply because he believed God (Genesis 15:6); Paul uses him as the pattern for everyone who trusts Christ (Romans 4:3-5).
  • The Passover lamb’s blood spared Israel from judgement (Exodus 12:13); John introduces Jesus as the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world (John 1:29).
  • Joel promised that everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved (Joel 2:32); Peter quotes it at Pentecost (Acts 2:21) and Paul applies it to all people (Romans 10:13).
  • The prophets looked for a new covenant with forgiveness and a new heart (Jeremiah 31:33-34); Jesus announces it at the Last Supper (Luke 22:20).

What we believe at Spring Valley

We believe in salvation through faith in Christ. According to the Scriptures He died for our sins, was buried and was raised on the third day, and through His blood we have redemption. Salvation is received by faith alone, and it changes everything.

Our full Statement of Faith

Your next step

If you have just trusted Jesus, please tell someone: message us on WhatsApp or come on Sunday, and we will help you take the first steps. The next question to read is What does it mean to be born again?

Scripture quotations are from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. ESV Text Edition: 2025. The ESV text may not be quoted in any publication made available to the public by a Creative Commons license. The ESV may not be translated in whole or in part into any other language. Used by permission. All rights reserved. Read the Bible free in Malayalam, Hindi, Tamil, Telugu, English and many more languages at bible.com.