SALVATION

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.”

– JOHN 3:16

The Greek word soteria is used in the New Testament to refer to deliverance, protection, preservation, and salvation. This can refer to physical and temporal circumstances, such as physical healing from disease, but often, it refers to the spiritual and eternal salvation that comes through the saving work of Jesus Christ. 

But what are we saved from? Within the Christian faith, the Bible states that all have sinned (Romans 3:23). Because of the human condition brought upon by sin, humankind needed saving from the wrath of God – a consequence of sin (Romans 5:9). We needed to be reconciled back to God (Romans 5:10), to be made one with him – this is the implication behind the term “atonement.” This term describes the transforming work of humanity through Christ to redeem creation and humanity from the curse of the fall of man found in Genesis 3. 

Salvation is only made possible through Christ’s life, death, and resurrection (John 3:16-17, Acts 4:12). God sent his Son, Jesus Christ, to die on the cross to atone for our sins—it is a gift of God’s grace (2 Timothy 1:9, Romans 6:23). This is considered the gospel or the good news of Jesus Christ. 

Because salvation is a gift of God’s grace, we need only to receive it by faith (Ephesians 2:8). Placing faith in Christ means to be fully convinced that Christ is the Messiah, and it is through Him that we receive salvation. When we place our faith in Christ, we repent from sin, begin to trust in God fully and submit to Christ as the Lord of our lives. We are also sealed with the Holy Spirit, which enables the believer to live the Christian life (Ephesians 1:13).

Romans 10:9 – “…because, 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.”

It is not too late if you have not yet received God’s free gift of salvation. You can place your faith in Christ today and allow God to transform your life.