Maybe you’ve heard the word “salvation” used and were unsure of its meaning. It’s a common word in Christian literature, including the Bible. Christians say the word a lot, but maybe you don’t know what it really means.

First, how about a definition? To experience salvation means to deliver one from danger or suffering and have protection. It could mean salvation from a dangerous situation, like being rescued from a terrible hurricane bearing down on your area.

In this article, we’re going to discuss salvation from a spiritual perspective. This is an extremely important belief in Christianity that requires our full attention. Salvation is fundamental to our faith because it is God’s highest priority for us. Jesus says he came into the world to “save” the lost (John 3:17). In fact, Jesus laid down his life so that those putting their faith in Him, would be saved (Romans 5:10). Think about that: the Holy God, Jesus, left heaven, suffered and died for us, just to rescue us from this awful fate, our sinfulness.

Who is Jesus?

As I just mentioned, Jesus is God. It’s an amazing idea that God would come to earth to personally save us from our sin nature. The book of Hebrews says this about Jesus: “The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven.”

Yes, Jesus is the all-powerful God who rules and sustains the universe from his throne in heaven. Knowing this makes his sacrifice on our behalf even more astounding. Love like this has not been seen before. But the bible says it’s proof of God’s amazing love for us (Romans 5:8)

Saved from what?

Here’s the really tough truth that we must face. In God’s eyes, every person is born a sinner (Psalm 51:5, Psalm 53:2-3). A sinner is anyone who breaks God’s laws (1 John 3:4). God makes it very clear throughout the bible that the greatest curse of mankind is our sin nature. The Apostle Paul, who God inspired to write the book of Romans, describes his and our sin nature (Romans 7:18). There is no cure or solution for sin available from a human perspective.

Regardless of good deeds, good intentions, religious membership, church attendance, or anything else a human could say or do, everyone is a sinner (1 John 1:8).

Here’s the problem with sin: it can separate us from a Holy God for all eternity. To be Holy means God is “set apart”. He is not part of the created order, because He is the perfect and sinless Creator. He literally cannot allow sinners to dwell with Him in eternity (Psalm 5:4-6).

Paul writes in his letter to the Romans extensively about sin. Here is one of the more sobering statements we must face regarding our nature (Romans 6:23). In this verse Paul is referring to the fact that those dying in their sin nature will be separated from God forever. The result of our sin nature is always eternal death – separation from God in Hell (Luke 12:4-5).

What’s the solution for our sin nature?

Now, the good news! In fact, “good news” is the definition of another popular word in Christianity, the Gospel. Jesus used that word to describe the coming of his Kingdom, which he has established for his followers.

The bible tells us “God is love” (1 John 4:8). Because of His great love for us, God, through Jesus, was willing to suffer the penalty of death that is on every sinner (Romans 5:6-8). God, being Holy and righteous, cannot change the penalty for sin, which is death. But, unbelievably, He took our death sentence and died in our place. This is the greatest demonstration of love Known.

Confession of and Repentance from our Sins

The solution for our sin is to accept that Jesus died in our place. To do this one must first admit, “I’m a sinner”. That’s actually hard for many people to do. Based on what we outlined above about God’s position on sin, I find it extraordinary that someone would deny their sinful nature (1 John 1:9-10).

But when we do confess our sins to God, the bible says (Acts 3:19; Colossians 2:13-14) that God will literally wipe out our sins, and that he will refresh us! With the confession of our sins, we are also commanded to repent of our sins (Acts 2:38). To repent means to “change your mind”.

We literally must reject sinful ways of thinking, speaking and behaving. We are to move from a self-directed life to a Jesus directed life. And, we have the guarantee from Jesus, that we will live eternally with him in his Kingdom (John 3:16). Please remember, Jesus came to earth and sacrificed his life so that you and I could know him now, in this life, and so we could be in his glorious presence for all eternity.

Testimony of Baptism

Also notice in the bible (Acts 2:38) that we are commanded to be baptized. The act of being immersed under water is a picture of our old and new lives. Scripture (Romans 6:4) says we are “buried with him through baptism” to demonstrate our death to the old life. And it’s a picture of being raised with Jesus in his resurrection to new life eternally. Baptism is a powerful testimony to the world of the beautiful, new life you have in Jesus.

The Holy Spirit

While in the flesh, even as Jesus’ disciples, we still have the ability to sin. But God does something miraculous and supernatural for us when we place our faith in Jesus. He gives every believer the gift of the indwelling of the Holy Spirit (John 14:15-17). According to the Apostle Paul, the Holy Spirit is God’s “guarantee” of our future in His Kingdom (2 Corinthians 1:21-22).

The Holy Spirit is gentle like a dove. Most Christians testify that while we don’t hear God speak audibly, we do sense His presence in our lives. For example, he gives us the power to overcome temptation and avoid sin (1 Corinthians 10:13). The Holy Spirit helps us understand scripture, because the bible says spiritual matters can only be discerned by spiritual or “born-again” (John 3:3) believers (1 Corinthians 2:13-15, John 14:26). The Holy Spirit also brings us comfort during difficult times, as we have the Spirit of Jesus living in us (John 14:25-27).

The Only Way to Heaven

There are many false teachings regarding the path to heaven. The bible is extremely clear in this matter. Only by placing your total faith in the Lordship of Jesus, the Almighty, does one find salvation from sin and entrance into his eternal Kingdom (John14:6). When Jesus uses the term “I AM” you can equate this with His “absoluteness”. This means Jesus, being eternal and all powerful, determines the way of all things. If he says it is so, then there are no alternatives.

While the “many paths” teaching is common, it is pure heresy and is opposed to the saving grace of Jesus, Our Lord (Ephesians 2:8-9).

I like how Luke writes it in the book of 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.”

Ambassadors & Witnesses

Now as part of Jesus’ family, he commands us to live out our testimony of a transformed life. He has appointed ALL of us to be witnesses (Acts 1:8) of his saving grace. In 2 Corinthians chapter 5, it says “he has committed to us the message of reconciliation.” That simply means we are to take the message of the Gospel everywhere we go (2 Corinthians 5:18-21).

Personally, I can tell you that your faith will explode with excitement as your share the Gospel and see the Holy Spirit at work transforming the lives of others. Truly, you will see the hand of God moving. We are extremely fortunate that Jesus allows us to share in this joy (John 15:10-11).

Conclusion

The most terrifying condition facing all mankind is our sinful nature. To die without Jesus is to spend eternity apart from God – something so awful we cannot imagine it. The salvation Jesus freely gives to all who believe is the only remedy to our sinfulness. Prayerfully consider your own condition, and seek Jesus out by confessing your sin before him and making him your Lord and Savior for the rest of your life. You will receive eternal life and the joy of Jesus himself when you do!