Have you ever thought, “Everyone knows that!”? I know I have. I remember taking a young man fishing for striped bass off Cuttyhunk in Buzzard’s Bay, Massachusetts. The plan is simple. Leave New Bedford, cross the bay, and 19 miles later, arrive at a rocky point. Once there, the anchor is dropped, and the fishing begins. And that is what we did. We crossed the bay and maneuvered to the fishing spot. Once in position, I told the young man to drop the anchor overboard. And he did, both anchor and rope. I can still remember looking back and watching the last of the anchor rope disappear under the water. I thought, “Who doesn’t know the anchor rope needs to be attached to the boat?” Well, he didn’t. So, we went home.
We make many assumptions; I had not thought it necessary to say much about salvation. However, I am discovering that only some know what I thought they knew. I assumed that people had enough exposure to a Christian belief system to understand salvation and how it was obtained.
There are at least three categories of people who need to understand what salvation means or how it can be obtained. It seems that many have not pondered the comment of the jailer of Acts 16:30 when he said, “Sirs, what must I do to be saved?”
The first category is the irreligious. Our culture borrowed the idea of heaven from Christianity. It has incorporated an idealized version of heaven as the default destination of people when they die. Many fully expect to go to heaven because that happens when you die.
The second category believes heaven is a reward for good behavior. They may be religious or irreligious. Heaven is for those who have done more good than bad. Almost all those who believe this will tell you that they have done a bit more good than bad. On a scale, they will pick a point just above 50%.
The third category is very religious but theologically naïve. They believe their salvation comes from following their spiritual tradition or a particular leader. Salvation can be awarded to a person or taken away by the leader(s). To leave the group is to reject God and lose your salvation.
So, if these three positions are wrong, what is salvation and how do we obtain it? What does our only sure source of truth tell us?
One theologian has defined salvation. He states, “Salvation is the transformation of a person’s individual nature and relationship with God as a result of repentance and faith in the atoning death of Jesus Christ on the cross. All humanity stands in need of salvation, which is only possible through faith in Jesus Christ. Salvation involves a change in the relationship between God and a person. Salvation includes God’s adoption of believers into his family, his acceptance of them as righteous, and his forgiveness of their sins. It also includes personal renewal and transformation through the work of the Holy Spirit. Scripture stresses that fallen human beings are cut off from God on account of their sin. All need to be saved if they are to enter into a new relationship with God as their Creator and Redeemer. Salvation is not the result of human achievement, privilege, or wisdom, but depends totally upon the graciousness of a loving God, supremely expressed in the cross of Jesus Christ. People must respond in repentance and faith if they are to benefit from God’s offer of salvation in Christ.” (Martin H. Manser, Dictionary of Bible Themes: The Accessible and Comprehensive Tool for Topical Studies (London: Martin Manser, 2009).)
Having salvation, we are saved from sin and death and find forgiveness, healing, and eternal life in salvation. What do we have to do to be saved? Below are seven Scriptures that outline our part. Notice that though it requires something of us, it is not works related. Also, salvation is not dependent on belonging to a particular group or following a specific leader.
Mark 1:15: “The time has come,” he said. “The kingdom of God has come near. Repent and believe the good news!” In this verse, Jesus is proclaiming the arrival of the kingdom of God and urging people to repent and have faith in the good news He brings. It emphasizes the need for a change of heart, turning away from sin (repentance), and putting trust in Jesus and His message (belief) for salvation and entrance into the kingdom of God.
John 3:16: “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” This verse emphasizes the importance of believing in Jesus as God’s Son and placing faith in Him for salvation.
Acts 16:31: “They replied, ‘Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved—you and your household.’” This verse highlights the significance of faith in Jesus as the means of salvation.
Ephesians 2:8-9: “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works so that no one can boast.” These verses emphasize that salvation is a gift of God’s grace and is received through faith, not by our own works or efforts.
Romans 10:9: “If you declare with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.” This verse stresses the importance of confessing Jesus as Lord and believing in His resurrection for salvation.
Acts 2:38: “Peter replied, ‘Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.’” This verse highlights the need for repentance, baptism, and receiving the Holy Spirit as part of the salvation process.
Acts 4:12: “Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.” This verse highlights the exclusivity of salvation through Jesus Christ. It emphasizes that there is no other name or means by which humanity can be saved. Jesus is the only way to salvation, and believing in Him is crucial for eternal life.
Don’t be misled by your culture or by religious charlatans. Study the Bible to gain a full understanding of God’s plan for salvation. Your salvation is dependent on your relationship with Jesus.
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