Salvation

Soteriology is defined as the study of Salvation.

Salvation, commonly referred to as “being saved” meaning deliverance from sin and the consequences of that sin. Its when a person passes from darkness of this world into the light of Gods kingdom. Salvation is a free gift from God and cannot be merited from our own works or anything that we do ourselves: For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith, and this is not from yourselves, it is a gift from God.’ (Eph 2:8.)

This is the reason that our Lord Jesus Christ came into the world, not only did Christ live a perfect life as an example to us, he did wonderful miracles and more importantly he died on a cross that we should be saved from our transgressions. One of the most popular Bible verses is : For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten son, that whoever believes in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. (John 3:16 ) So if you believe in Christ, that he died to redeem you, rose up and conquered death three days later and ascended into heaven at the right hand of the father, with all sincerity you will receive your Salvation.

Why do we need Salvation?

The short answer is to get into heaven. The Bible states that when we come into this world we are separated from God. We live in the darkness and God resides in the Kingdom of Glory and light, a place where we cannot see but only slightly comprehend. Salvation bridges the gap between heaven and earth and allows us to pass through to share in Gods majestic glory and Love. We need salvation because we need God to forgive our sins. Salvation is one of Gods greatest gifts and requires that we are ‘born again’. This is expressed in the following scripture spoken by Christ - Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. (John 3:3)

So we must be born again, not of flesh, but of Gods Holy Spirit. This baptism of the Holy Spirit guarantees our entry into the body of Christ and into heaven after we die. So salvation is about our death, NOT our lives. This is given as a gift by the grace of God and thereafter we receive the promised spiritual gifts as written as well as a complete transformation or regeneration of the heart to lead us to a proper Christian life.

In the Trinity, the Father initiates Salvation, the son validates and demonstrates it, and the Holy Ghost activates it. Through the securing work of the Holy Spirit, our salvation is guaranteed. He is the spirit of promise.

Why doesn’t God just give everyone Salvation ?

Given that God very much desires all of us to be saved, makes this a difficult question. To understand this we need to try to understand the character of God. God places a great deal of importance on ‘freewill’. He doesn’t take any prisoners or make anyone do anything they don’t want to do. Anyone that loves God, does so of their own freewill and God enhances and nurtures that relationship. In the Bible God says ; I will have my holy people, for you are a people holy unto the LORD your God. The LORD your God has chosen you to be as a people for His prized possession, above all peoples on the face of the earth. Deuteronomy 7:6.

When Gods holy people are united with him at the end of times, that relationship will have a great deal of value to God because of our self determination and our willingness to love him. We can also see from the Bible prior to Adam and Eve, God also gave the created Angels a freewill, how else could so many of them choose Satan as their Lord and master and abandon God. So in essence, God by his grace and love will extend salvation to the humble of heart and will forgive us through his divine mercy.

Those on the other hand that refuse or ignore the good news will not receive salvation. For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast. Eph 2-8:9

Can evil people receive salvation ?

Yes, evil people can receive salvation, God is capable of forgiving anyone no matter what they have done; such is the extent of his divine grace and mercy. Every human being ever created is equal in the eyes of God. God loves is incomprehensible or at least 100 times beyond our own expectations and limits. In some cases, evil people live in such oblivion and darkness that they are able see the light clearer than ordinary folks. As they say: ‘God loves a sinner’ God charges us to forgive our enemies or those that have wronged us. God tells us that the creature you despise is his creation, and if he’s capable of forgiving them, then we must also try too. Salvation therefore is for everyone in every walk of life and 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. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved. (Rom 10:9-10.)

What if God is not calling me to Salvation?

God calls everyone to salvation. People receive salvation at different times in their lives and under different circumstances. For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ. Thess 5:9 I believe that God created us in his image and he left a remnant trace of himself deep inside our hearts. When we read articles such as this and other religious material, it has a ring of truth about it.

Some people hate the truth but others love it and it stirs the emotions and the imagination. God calls people for different purposes. Great evangelists are called, great teachers and some with prophesy. Many are called that have a broken or contrite heart, or feeling sad and depressed. God is very close to those people and when they call out, he responds and they receive their salvation. Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and they with me. Rev 3:20. The Lord carries me and reforms and prunes my spirit to his purpose. Salvation is for you and everyone, as its Gods will.

I feel frightened and confused and reluctant to ask for my salvation.

This is understandable, speaking of salvation can raise a lot of eyebrows in the room and other mixed reactions too. Anyone that’s not in a proper relationship with God can’t possibly comprehend salvation. This is why we need to put our trust in God to guide us through this process. Salvation goes above and beyond human understanding which makes perfect sense as its Gods very own design. A Christian understands how wide and long and how high Gods love is, and to know that this love surpasses all human knowledge. You could be the smartest person ever or even a brilliant theologian and read the Holy Bible from head to toe, but unless you have sincere repentance in your heart you cannot receive this life changing gift.

The gift of salvation is perfectly holy and in a way, a simple concept that has been subjected to confusion over the last 2000 years by world religions to the point where many Christian denominations are at loggerheads by their own interpretations.

It should be strongly emphasised that those that seek out God must not clutter their minds by comparing one church to another, or one religion to another, but instead a simple and personal affair with God. Salvation is the key to everlasting life, it’s the bridge between heaven and earth, and its Gods New Covenant with the church revealed as he always keeps his promise.

God is not asking you to meet him halfway, if you take a simple step towards the truth and the light, God will come down from heaven and carry your spirit into eternity. For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first. Thess 4:16

What then should I say to receive salvation and what happens if I don’t ?

Believe it or not, there are no specific words or prayers to receive your salvation. God knows your heart inside out and every good and bad thought in your head. When you receive this gift, you will suddenly realise that God knew you before you were in your mothers womb or before the ages, and your spiritual birth (born again) will lead the Lord to write a new chapter in the book of life, with your name in the book.

He who overcomes shall be clothed in white garments, and I will not blot out his name from the Book of Life; but I will confess his name before My Father and before His angels. Rev 3:5.

There is going to be a great day of judgement, A day where all of us will stand before the Throne of the Lord and give an account of our lives. Believers and unbelievers (Sheep and goats) will be separated and judged accordingly. This will be the most decisive and solitary moment we will ever face in our entire existence. There is no way to comprehend the individual thoughts of souls as they approach the great throne of God, but I for one would take great comfort in the knowledge that I proclaimed Jesus as my saviour, and for those that chose to ignore the scriptures, I cannot imagine their despair.

And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them. And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works (Rev 20: 11-15.)

As billions of souls are judged by Jesus Christ, the book of Matthew (New Testament) says that there are two choices in life or two gates. One is broad and the other is narrow. It points out that many will enter the broad gate, which is the WRONG WAY, but then others will choose the righteous path; the narrow gate. What path will you choose?

Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it. Mathew 7:13. Perhaps this is the first step to your own salvation, maybe theres is a stirring and a holy fear in your heart. I encourage you to continue on this journey towards the Lord. The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom and the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding. Proverbs 9:10.

Your choice is the here and now in this life to make the correct decision and enter through the narrow gate. You cannot change your mind after death or at the judgement throne, as there will be no more mercy at that time. God is ready to listen to you now ! He is ready to vindicate you of your sins and promote your very soul into the body of Christ where you will receive peace in your heart today and everlasting happiness in Heaven. Whats the alternative? Some people believe they will enter into a state of nothingness after they die. These people are gravely mistaken as the broad gate leads to destruction and an everlasting punishment in the Lake of Fire. Others believe they will get another chance to receive Jesus after they die. However, scripture doesn’t tell us we have another chance. Hebrews 9:27 says: people are destined to die once and after that to face judgement.

There is nothing complicated about salvation, if that were so, then I myself wouldn’t be able to write it down. You don’t have to be smart or well educated, it doesn’t matter that you have sinned or even done good or bad deeds all your life. You don’t have to be involved in any particular religion and it most certainly won’t cost you anything. What you do need is the will to know God and repentance in your heart. Repent therefore, and turn again, that your sins may be blotted out. Acts 3:19 God is calling all to salvation but he is particularly close to the contrite of heart, the widows and the poor people in the world. God is calling you, he is calling from heaven that you should receive peace and love in your heart today. There are no particular words for a prayer of Salvation. If you are ready to repent and atone for your sins, then can start with the prayer below:

A prayer of salvation.

Dear Lord, thank-you for your love for me, for sending Jesus Christ to die on the cross for all my sins. His precious blood washes me clean. You raised Him from the dead. He’s alive today. I thank You that all my sins are forgiven. I’m righteous by faith. I’m under God’s favour and I thank You Father that surely goodness and mercy will follow me all the days of my life from this day forth. In Jesus name, Amen.

(Prayer by unknown author.)