The Doctrine of Salvation
Salvation means deliverance from danger, distress, destruction, or harm. This concept incorporates being saved, rescued, preserved, and even victorious. Throughout the Bible, especially the Old Testament, the word “salvation” often depicts deliverance from physical danger. For example, God brought Israel from slavery in Egypt and Judah from exile in Babylon. Ultimately, the Bible’s examples of physical deliverance point to humanity’s greater need for spiritual rescue. Salvation, in the spiritual sense, refers to deliverance from sin’s penalty, power, and presence.
Sin represents humanity’s greatest crisis. Adam and Eve’s first sin corrupted every individual born after them. We enter the world spiritually dead, alienated from God, and unable to accomplish anything of eternal value. Romans 6:23 confirms, “the wages of sin is death.” Beyond physical death, sin’s penalty also brings spiritual death – permanent separation from God and everything good forever. Thankfully, our gracious God did not abandon us in our sinful, hopeless state. God sent His Son to earth to die the death we deserve. Jesus Christ paid sin’s price on our behalf. All who trust in Jesus are saved from the just penalty their sins deserve.
This great news only tells half the story. The believer’s salvation includes both deliverance from sin and the gift of Christ’s imputed righteousness and eternal life. Romans 6:23 again confirms, “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Though we will all die physically, believers are saved from eternal death to enjoy unbroken fellowship with God now and forever.
Failure to trust in Christ for salvation from sin leaves a person permanently enslaved to sin and guilty before God. Eternal peril awaits all who ignore Christ’s invitation to be saved. By amazing contrast, those who put their faith in Jesus’ saving work find a secure place of rest for their weary souls. If you trust Christ for salvation, this is what you can know with absolute assurance: Jesus paid in full the penalty your sin deserves. Jesus’ overcoming power releases you from sin’s stranglehold. You are no longer sin’s slave. And one day, you will be permanently set free from any remnant of sin’s corruption. Hebrews 2:3 asks a life-changing, eternity-altering question: “How shall we escape if we ignore so great a salvation?” Jesus rescues, preserves, and offers victory to those who trust Him for salvation. What a Savior!
Resource: Bible Study Fellowship, People of Promise: Kingdom Divided, Lesson 20
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