An Analysis of Salvation
Undoubtedly, you have heard of terms found in the Bible such as “salvation,” or “saved.” But that doesn’t mean you fully understand what those terms mean, right? In fact, there are many people professing to have been “saved” yet still don’t have a true understanding of these terms in the way the Bible employs them.
So what does salvation mean? It can be understood as a deliverance or rescue, and to be saved is to have been delivered. The next rational question is: saved or delivered from what? Answer—death. Physical death? No. But it is a death of the Spirit, of the Soul—a separation from God from which He saves. All are born into both of these deaths. The cause? Sin.
Whether people like to admit it or not there is an afterlife. The redeemed, saved soul, has its immediate destiny in heaven, in eternal life. Later its destiny is a resurrected life, immortality. The lost soul is condemned to hell. We have sin, pure and simple. And sin has a consequence, a penalty. But Christ came, shed His blood, to redeem us from that penalty. He took our punishment. If we accept this then we are saved, redeemed from hell. This is salvation.
Now the great question is: How do I get this salvation, this eternal life? The different denominations’ teachings and personal beliefs fall under one of four methods: works, obedience, election, and faith.
The first and most common belief is that salvation is acquired by works (good deeds). That is, by performing certain tasks or observation of acts of righteousness salvation is secured. This method of salvation sometimes is granted by an absolution by a priest. Usually this is through a penance or a service performed. It is a reward, a salvation earned. Also under this heading is the personal belief that: “If my good works are greater than my bad works, I can tip the scale in my favor and be saved.”
Within the method of works is that of earning salvation by the keeping of the doctrines and required duties of the denomination to which a person is attached. An example of this is the requirement of being baptized by a particular church. In many types of churches the very act of baptism is salvation (this is another example of salvation by a work of obligation). The keeping or observation of duties in some churches is essential to salvation. These may include door to door canvassing, the giving of money, or a blind obedience and faith to the denomination and its leaders (Church salvation).
The problem of “works salvation” within a church or a private life is that of uncertainty. No one knows if they are saved or ever will be saved. This kind of salvation is an incremental procession with no end during this life time. The tally won’t be counted until the end of life. The expected future is that of a judgment of life based on deeds. The honest answer to those with this belief when asked “are you saved?'” is “I don’t know.”
A third method is really no method at all. It is that of salvation being predetermined, election. This belief has it that some people are predestined for salvation, and others are not but are destined for hell. Under this method there is no choice, no works and no uncertainty. Salvation is not by any act of faith.
The last method of salvation is by faith, believing, coupled with grace. To test this method we turn to the Word of God.
The most definitive statement about salvation is probably what the Philippian jailer asked the Apostle Paul: “Sirs, what must I do to be saved? And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.” (Acts 16:30-31 KJV)
Paul makes it clear that works do not justify, but rather faith does.—”Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.” (Gal. 2:16 KJV)
Again Salvation is through faith—”For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.” (Eph. 2:8-9 KJV)
The blood of Christ redeems us and not the traditions handed down.—”Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot:”(1 Pet. 1:18-19 KJV)
These scriptures, and there are more, should satisfy any sincere inquirer into the truth of salvation. A truth to understand is that salvation is not a feeling, it is a decision. Our feelings change and uncertainty can plague us. Any doubts can be easily put to rest. “For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.” (Rom. 10:13 KJV) Did you believe? Did you call upon the name of the Lord? If yes, then you are saved, end of doubt.
Now onto second most crucial question. Can Salvation be lost? Are believers secure for all time in their salvation? Is it possible that we or some other factor or force is able to separate us from God and the eternal life He has given? Is it possible to walk away from God and lose it all? For the answer again we turn to the words of Christ:
“Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.” (Jn. 5:24 KJV
Notice these facts.
- He (anyone) who hears and believes HAS everlasting life.
- He shall NOT be condemned.
- He IS passed from death.
- He HAS life.
- And lastly, he shall after death hear the voice of the Son of God and shall Live.
We observe with careful attention the usage of the present tense in these statements. They are not of the future but the here and now! NOW we, you and I, have everlasting life. Now we, you and I, shall not be condemned. Now we , you and I,are passed from death unto life. This removes all doubt as to the security of salvation. It is impossible to have everlasting life only to have it end. Everlasting is without end! The old adage is true!Once saved always saved.
“. . . for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me.” (Heb. 13:5-6 KJV)
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