This is the most important question that anyone can ask. Yet, it is seldom asked. What makes it the important question that it is? It is important because it concerns the saving of our souls. Do we not realize there is more to us than the physical and there is a part of us that lives on after the death of our physical body? "Then shall the dust return to the earth as it was: and the spirit shall return unto God who gave it." (Ecclesiastes 12:7). When the spirit (soul) leaves the body, the body is dead (James 2:26). When Christ returns, the soul will be reunited with a spiritual, incorruptible body (1 Corinthians 15:35,44,52,53). Therefore, our soul is more than breath as some teach.

This is the most important question because it concerns sin and what sin does to our souls. First, let us understand that sin is the transgressing of God's law (1 John 3:4). Mankind has never been without law from God, from Adam until now. God is our Creator and that gives Him the right or authority to command us in the way we ought to live and conduct ourselves. He has given us His will through His Son (Hebrews 1:1,2) and we have that will in the New Testament (Hebrews 9:15). The reason this question is so all important is because, in regard to sin, "all have sinned and come short of the glory of God." (Romans 3:23). The seriousness of sin is seen in that "...your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins have hid his face from you, that he will not hear." (Isaiah 59:2). There is not a one of us that is not guilty of sin before God! Do we not now see the importance of the question?

As important as the question is to ask, it is equally important that we see God's word for it's answer. There are many answers that abound in the religious community but the only true answer is the answer that can be backed 100% by God's word without addition, subtraction, or contradiction. This question is asked three times in the New Testament: Acts 2:37; 9:6; 16:30. In all three of these instances the question was answered by those who asked the question when they heard the teaching of God's will, they believed or had faith in that which they heard preached, they repented by turning from their sins, they were willing to confess that Christ was God's Son, and they all were baptized for the forgiveness of their sins.

Are you saved from your sins? If not, you are separated from God! Does that not concern you? Do you not see the need to ask, "What must I do to be saved?" Are you willing to comply with the answer given in the Scriptures?

---E.R. Hall, Jr.

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