SALVATION
WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO BE SAVED?
WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO BE SAVED?
Salvation (saved) in the Christian context addresses the eternal and spiritual deliverance of a sinful person from God’s wrath/judgment of their sin (Romans 5:9). God rescues sinful persons from their bondage to sin and gives them new life in Christ (John 3:3). Salvation cannot be earned as it is a gift of God by grace through faith to all who believe (Ephesians 2:8-9).
Three Tenses of Salvation
We have been saved from the penalty of sin. Christ has justified us through the forgiveness of sin (Acts 13:38-39) and has imputed His righteousness unto all who believe (Romans 4:5-8).
We are being saved from the power of sin. Through progressive sanctification, we learn to be separated from sin and to live a life of obedience. As we grow in grace and knowledge of the truth (2 Peter 3:18), our character is being transformed to conform to the image of Christ (Romans 8:29, 12:1-2).
We shall be saved from the presence of sin. The future perfection or glorification of the believer (Romans 8:16-18; Hebrews 9:28).
PLAN OF SALVATION
Deep down, there is a place within each of us that is made only for a relationship with God. No matter how hard we try to cover it up or fill it with something else, we will never be satisfied.
When the first human beings rebelled against God, sin became a part of the human condition. In the Bible, Romans 3:23 says, “Everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard.” In Romans 6:23, we learn “the wages of sin is death” (spiritual death).
The only way to be resolved of spiritual death is through Jesus Christ. No amount of good deeds on our part can change our eternal status. Through His death and resurrection, He removed the barrier of sin between humanity and God. Because He was also God, Jesus conquered sin and death on our behalf so we could truly live.
Jesus Christ offers salvation from sin and death to all people as a gift (Ephesians 2:8-9), but He asks that we give Him our lives in return (1 Corinthians 6:19-20). We do this by believing in Him, turning from our sins, and asking Him to be our Lord, ruler, and guide of our lives. Romans 10:9 says, “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.”
Remember, God is love. He loves you more than anyone else ever has or ever could. In giving your life to Him, you invite His love into every aspect of who you are. His love is transforming, and His forgiveness is complete.
There is no need to put off receiving God’s gift of salvation. You do not need to clean yourself up first, start behaving better, or anything of the sort before you can become a follower of Jesus. You can take the first step right now. Open your heart to receive God. He is ready to receive you.
