To make sense of what salvation is and why we need it, start first reading what the Bible says about sin.

The word, salvation, appears about 123 times in the Old Testament. And, it deals primarily with earthly deliverance and protection from destruction.

A few scriptures though in the Old Testament suggest “Eternal salvation:”

• • • Isaiah 35:10 and 51:11,
    • Isaiah 45:17
    • Daniel 12:2

There are two Biblical truths, according to me, and which I discuss next. 

 

 

Salvation comes from God, our Lord!

 

 

First, “salvation comes from God, and God alone.” Whether this deals with earthly salvation (as stated in various places throughout the Old Testament), or eternal salvation, the Bible affirms that salvation only comes from God, the Lord.

Below are a few scriptures that mention that truth. 

Psalm 37:39,

The salvation of the righteous is from the Lord; he is their stronghold in the time of trouble.

Psalm 3:8,

Salvation belongs the Lord; your blessing is on your people.

Psalm 62:1,

For God alone my soul waits in silence; from him comes my salvation.

Jonah 2:9,

Salvation belongs to the Lord!

Psalm 60:5,

That your beloved ones may be delivered, give salvation by your right hand and answer us!

So, limiting salvation to earthly deliverance didn’t represent what the concept was all about. It meant God’s mighty working that should address our human needs on all levels: physical, emotional, mental, and spiritual.

That’s why everything that took place in the Old Testament, including covenant stories (Abraham, Noah, Moses, the Israelites, etc.), and other stories, was just a shadow of what to come. Read Colossians 2:17 and Hebrews 10:1.

The whole Old Testament narrative points out to Jesus Christ who is the one who had to come for the fulfillment of God’s word. 

 

 

Salvation was made possible through Jesus Christ

 

 

The New Testament books talk about Jesus Christ as the one to fulfill the law and Prophets. Actually, he said it himself. See Matthew 5:17. 

I could share so many New Testament passages for that, but let’s focus, for the sake of our reflection, only on two pieces of scriptures we find in John.  

Let’s start with John 3:16-18,

For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God.

It’s all clear, based on the Bible, that Jesus is the only means to our salvation: body, soul, and mind. When we choose to believe in him, we will not perish, but receive eternal salvation (life). 

The next piece of scripture is John 14:6,

I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.

John, the author of this Gospel we’re reading from, goes on to state what Jesus had said when he was here on earth. That is Jesus is the only way, truth, and life. And, no one comes to the Father, God, the Maker of everyone and everything, except through Jesus Christ.

I know this may sound very exclusive. But, for us believers, it’s the truth, and the core of our belief system. 

 

 

How to experience Salvation

 

 

Many people have lots of questions about what I just stated above because they believe people, from the other religions, can be children of God without believing in Jesus Christ. 

All those questions are valid. Read this,

He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him. Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God— children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God. John 1:11-12.

You notice that, according to the scripture above, for one to become a child of God, he or she has to believe in “him” (meaning Jesus Christ – see verses 1 through 10) and receive “him.” 

And, believe is the first step for one to experience salvation. Once, you believe, then you have to be baptized. Read these two scriptures, 

Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned. Mark 16:16

And Peter said to them, “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. Acts 2:38. 

The gifts that come out of faith and baptism are: 

• • • We receive the forgiveness of our sins. That’s a big deal because God sets us free from guilt, shame, and every single spiritual bondage. And, as a result, we are free to serve and love the way God wants us to do it. 
    • We receive the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit empowers us to do the above: love and serve. God’s Spirit also enables us to do what we could ever imagine before choosing to follow Jesus Christ as his disciples. 

 

 

So, what should you do now?

 

 

Ask yourself this question: “Am I saved?” If you can’t answer this question, then you need to read this scripture:

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. For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved. Romans 10:9-10. 

Faith in Jesus Christ requires you first to confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord. Next is that you have to believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead. And, last, you have to repent from all your sins. In other words, choose to change your lifestyle so that the way you live points other people back to Christ. That’s how simple this is. Doing the above allows you to experience God’s salvation through faith in Jesus Christ. Praise God for that!