Salvation, What Is It?

Ezekiel 18:4; Acts 2:21

Many people have an unscriptural idea of what salvation means, but the term is so basic to understanding Christianity that it merits our careful attention. We can define salvation as the gift of God’s grace, goodness, love, and mercy, whereby He provides forgiveness for your sin and mine.

The Bible explains that “the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Rom. 6:23). All of us are sinners deserving of death (Isa. 53:6), but in His love and mercy, God made provision for our forgiveness: He allowed for atonement to be made by the shedding of blood (Lev. 17:11).

All of the Old Testament sacrifices foreshadowed what was to come, pointing to the once-for-all, substitutionary death of God’s sinless Son on the cross. Jesus took our place, receiving the punishment that was rightly ours. Indeed, mankind’s redemption was the purpose for which Christ came into the world (Luke 19:10). And so, salvation is related strictly to the person of Jesus Christ. That’s why John the Baptist proclaimed, “Behold, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!” (John 1:29).

There is no acceptance before almighty God—no way to come to Him—apart from the Savior (John 14:6). Throughout Scripture, we see that salvation is a free gift that derives from a personal relationship with Jesus Christ.

Salvation is not a result of good works (Eph 2:8-9); rather, a person who is saved will naturally produce good works. Have you chosen to receive God’s gift?

This fallen world can be a hostile environment in which to live, but salvation from Jesus can protect us, and provide for us that which we need to live.
February 10, 2008