Definition
Salvation means to be delivered from something, or to be healed, and in a spiritual sense, it means to be saved from sin, spiritual death, and the wrath of God. The Bible talks about salvation being only through God’s grace, not through human good works. It is a free gift that God offers to those who turn away from their sins and put their faith and trust in Jesus Christ and His death on the cross to pay for their sins. The concept of salvation is found throughout the Bible from Genesis to Revelation, and the idea of being saved from sin and death is a huge part of the Christian faith.
Scripture
Scripture clearly speaks of salvation. In 1 Peter 3:18, it states that “Christ also suffered for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring us to God”. This verse makes it clear that the only way of salvation is through the death of Jesus on the cross, and that His sacrifice is sufficient to bring all people to God. In Ephesians 1, Paul speaks of the riches of God’s grace, and the salvation that one could gain through belief in Jesus Christ. This salvation is described as being “freely bestowed”, indicating that even those who do not deserve it are still eligible to receive it.
Gift of Salvation
The Bible teaches that salvation is a gift from God. Romans 6:23 says that “the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord”. This phrasing is deliberate, as it shows that salvation is not something humans can earn, but rather something that is freely given. This gift is meant to be accepted and shared, and is why Jesus said in Luke 19:10 “The Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost.” As scripture clearly shows, it is important for all to share the gift of salvation in order to truly be saved.
Responding To Salvation
The Bible gives very clear instructions on how to respond to the offer of salvation. In Luke 13:3, Jesus says “unless you repent, you will perish.” This means that all must repent, or turn away from their sins and turn towards Jesus in order to receive the gift of eternal life. In Acts 2:38, Peter preaches “repent and be baptized” as a response to the offer of salvation. This indicates that in order to be saved, one must repent and show God they have done so by being baptized. Baptism is a physical sign of one’s decision to accept salvation.
Consequences of Ignoring Salvation
The Bible is very clear about the consequences of ignoring the offer of salvation. In John 3:36, Jesus says “Whoever does not believe stands condemned already”. This verse shows that those who ignore the offer of salvation will be condemned for their sins and suffer eternal punishment in Hell. In Romans 8:13, Paul speaks of being put to death spiritually when one does not accept Jesus as Lord and Savior. This verse shows that by ignoring the gift of salvation, one will never receive the freedom and eternal life it offers.
Purpose of Salvation
The ultimate purpose of salvation is to restore a broken relationship between God and humankind. Adam and Eve, the first humans God created, sinned and broke the law, thus causing a separation between God and humanity. This relationship has remained broken for centuries until Jesus came to Earth and died on the cross for the sins of mankind, restoring the relationship between God and humankind. As scripture states in 1 Peter 2:24, “He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, that we might die to sin and live to righteousness.”
Faith in Salvation
The Bible teaches that salvation comes only through faith in Jesus Christ. Hebrews 11:6 says that “without faith it is impossible to please God, for whoever would draw near to Him must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who seek Him”. It is clear that only through faith in Jesus Christ can a person receive salvation, and this faith is what allows one to have a relationship with God.
Faith in God
The Bible teaches that in order to receive the gift of salvation one must have faith in God. Romans 10:9 states that “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.” This verse shows that in order to receive salvation, one must confess their belief in God and His son Jesus, and demonstrate this faith through repentance, obedience, and worship. This faith is one of the most important aspects of salvation, and will help to bring a person closer to God.
Obedience and Good Works
The Bible teaches that good works are necessary in order to truly receive the gift of salvation. James 2:26 says “For just as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is also dead”. This verse teaches that belief in God and Jesus Christ is not enough to receive salvation; one must also demonstrate this belief through obedience and good works. Obedience to God’s commands, such as to love Him, love one another, and to be charitable, are all essential to receive the gift of salvation.
Blessings of Salvation
The Bible speaks of many blessings and rewards for those who accept the gift of salvation. 1 John 3:2-3 speaks of the reward of “seeing God as He is”, and promises that those who receive salvation will experience a relationship with God that no other can provide. Revelation 22:14 promises a place in heaven for those who accept the gift of salvation, while Hebrews 4:16 speaks of “strong consolation,” or the inner peace and joy one can receive through the knowledge of their salvation.
Public Profession of Faith
The Bible speaks of the importance of publicly professing one’s faith in God and His salvation. 1 John 4:15 says “Whoever confesses that Jesus is the Son of God, God abides in him, and he in God”. This verse clearly speaks of the importance of making a public confession of one’s faith in order to receive the gift of salvation. Acts 8:8 speaks of people “confessing their faith in Jesus and being baptized”, which is the physical demonstration of one’s belief in God and His offer of salvation.
Living By Faith
The Bible teaches that a person should continue to live out their faith once they have accepted the gift of salvation. James 2:14 says “What good is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith but does not have works?”. This verse speaks of the importance of living out one’s faith through good works and obedience, as the true measure of faith is the good works that result. Romans 8:15 speaks of the Spirit “helping us in our weaknesses”, which is the assurance that those who have accepted the gift of salvation have the help and guidance of God to continue living out their faith.
All Things Possible Through Faith
The Bible speaks of the comforting assurance that with faith in God, all things are possible. Mark 9:23 speaks of Jesus saying “all things are possible for one who believes”, and this is the same assurance that can be found in verses like Jeremiah 29:11, where it is said “I know the plans I have for you, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope”. This assurance speaks to the power of faith, and the assurance that is built from trusting in the promises of God.
God is Faithful
The Bible teaches that God is faithful and will never forsake those who have accepted the gift of salvation. Deuteronomy 31:8 says that “the LORD is the one who goes ahead of you; He will be with you. He will not fail you or forsake you”. This verse speaks to the assurance of God’s faithfulness and His promises to always be with His people. It is with this same faithfulness that God offers the gift of salvation and provides the assurance that with faith in Him, all things are possible.
