What is Salvation? Salvation is a gift from God and is something we cannot accomplish on our own, regardless of the works we do on earth. Jesus came to earth to save us because we cannot save ourselves from sin and its consequences. Jesus did not come to help people save themselves; He came to be their Savior from the power and penalty of sin. We should never let a morning go by where we have not thanked our Lord for his sacrifice on the cross, the blood He shed for us, and the agonizing death He endured for us.
Salvation is the assurance of God’s presence within us. While God was with Israel in both a cloud and pillar of fire, He was not indwelling in them, and thus, their hearts were prone to stray. Through the Holy Spirit, Christ is present today in the life of every believer—the consummate definition of Immanuel (“God is with us”).
Salvation is a single-path plan (Matthew 7:13-14). The gate that leads to eternal life (John 10:7-9) is called “narrow”. This does not mean it is difficult to become a Christian, but that there is only one road that leads to eternal life with God (John 14:6), and only a few decide to take it. A 2015 Pew Research poll indicated that only 31% of the world’s population identify as Christians—and there is likely to be many in that 31% who are “lip service only” Christians.
Salvation is a Binary Choice
Having knowledge of Jesus does not equate to salvation. Throughout Scripture, Jesus makes it clear that there is no middle ground: you either accept Him or you don’t. We cannot think our way to heaven, nor can we reason out a 51% belief in Him and see this as obtaining salvation. Our Lord asks for a total commitment to Him, forsaking all other gods and idols.
Salvation requires repentance of sins. We must be willing to turn from our worldly ways and allow Him the throne of our heart, not just lip service. We must turn to Him in complete surrender, exemplifying a life anew as a new creation (2 Corinthians 5:17).
Salvation does not require any special skill or wisdom—it just requires a heart ready to accept on faith that Jesus Christ is the Living Son of God (Romans 10:13).
If you have never accepted Jesus as your Savior, I urge you to do so today. None of us are promised a tomorrow. This is the biggest decision any of us will ever make—a decision on where we will spend eternity. Jesus reminds us all that there will come a time when God will pull His invitation from you and offer it to others—and you will no longer be invited to the banquet (Luke 14:15).
For additional information about salvation, I highly recommend John Macarthur’s book on the subject entitled, “Saved Without a Doubt: Being Sure of your Salvation”. You can get it here.
Redeemed: A 30-Day Journey into God’s Redemption Story
Key Features:
eBook has clickable tabs to take you to a selected page and fillable forms for journal and prayer entries.
Daily Reflections: Engage with carefully chosen Bible verses, exploring the theme of redemption over 30 days.
Passage Study: Dive deep into the Word with space provided for personal insights and revelations.
Prayer Sections: Pour out your heart to God, express gratitude, and seek guidance through daily prayers.
Encouraging Others: Spread the joy of redemption by leaving notes of encouragement for friends, family, or anyone who needs uplifting.
“Redeemed” is not just a prayer journal; it’s an invitation to experience the profound and life-changing power of redemption in your daily walk with God. Grab your copy today and embark on a transformative journey of faith!
Paperback version available on Amazon!
