SALVATION

As the Bible clearly reveals the Savior, so it clearly reveals what salvation is, and how we can receive it. The Bible says, “Not everyone that says to me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven, but he that does the will of My Father which is in heaven.” Matthew 7:21. Pay careful attention, therefore, to the following five points:

Salvation is an experience. This experience, called the new birth in God’s Word, takes place the moment any person receives Jesus Christ as his Savior. The Bible says, “All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned everyone to his own way.” Isaiah 53:6. Our need is two-fold. Like sheep we have gone astray, led by a sinful nature. We need healing from this sickness of the soul. Also we have deliberately chosen our own way, turning our backs on God’s way. We have rebelled against God, and we need forgiveness for our sin and rebellion. In the experience of salvation, God gives us a new nature through a new birth, thus healing the sickness of the soul. At the same time he also forgives all our sins and trespasses.

Salvation means deliverance from sin. There are many people who desire to be saved in their sins. They are willing to “believe” on the Lord, if they can continue on in their sins. But, salvation means deliverance from sin, from its penalty of eternal death, from its power daily, and, when Jesus returns, from its presence forever.

Salvation means deliverance from a useless life. “You must know that you were redeemed from your useless way of living . . .” 1 Peter 1:18 – literal translation. The purpose of life is to glorify God, but we cannot glorify Him before we believe. Therefore, our lives are useless. When we are saved, we are called to a useful life, useful to God and to our fellowman. As such it will glorify God.

God wants all men to be saved. We read, “For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God, our Savior, Who will have all men to be saved, and come unto the knowledge of the truth.” 1 Timothy 2:3 & 4. God wants you, dear reader, to be saved too. And remember, that the two things mentioned in the verse above cannot be separated. To be saved is only possible if we come to a knowledge of the truth. We must seek salvation on the basis of the Word of God.

Now is the best time to be saved. The Bible says, “Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.” 2 Corinthians 6:2. You, dear reader, do not have to reject salvation outright to be lost. If you simply neglect to receive salvation, the result is the same. There are many people in hell today who, while they were alive, understood how to be saved. They simply neglected their salvation. Listen to the advice of the Bible, “How shall we escape if we neglect so great salvation?” Hebrews 2:3. “Boast not yourself of tomorrow; for you do not know what a day may bring forth.” Proverbs 27:1.

Since these five things are true, won’t you accept Jesus as your Savior NOW?

John E. Capron – Guest Blogger