SALVATION IS NEEDED!

Salvation is a remarkable work of God (Jonah 2:9) that involves the forgiveness of sins and the granting of eternal life to a believing sinner as a gift of His grace (Eph. 2:8-9). Understanding the necessity of salvation begins with recognizing our condition as sinners, a reality affirmed by the scriptures that all people are born sinful (Gen. 6:5; Ps. 14:1-3; 51:5; Rom. 3:10-18).

In addition to our sinful nature, every individual is born spiritually dead and separated from God (Rom. 5:12; Eph. 2:1-3). This duality of sinful nature and spiritual death results in total depravity, indicating that we are incapable of pleasing God through any good deeds we may accomplish on our own (Isa. 64:6; Jer. 17:9; Mk. 7:20-23; I Cor. 2:14; Gal. 5:19-21).

Consequently, every sinner stands under the just condemnation of a God who is perfect in holiness, purity, and righteousness (Ezra 9:15; Ps. 22:3; Ps. 48:10; Isa. 6:3; Jer. 9:24; Hab. 1:13). Because He is just, God must judge sin (Ezek. 18:4; Acts 17:30-31; Rom. 6:23). Thus, the need for salvation becomes starkly apparent: it is only through God’s grace that we can be forgiven and granted new life.

WHAT IS SIN?

Sin is defined as any failure to conform to the holy character of God, as stated in Romans 3:23. Our sinful nature reveals itself through selfish thoughts and actions and rebellion against God's will and plan (John 3:19-20; Galatians 5:19-21). When a created being prioritizes its own will over the Creator's, it is considered a sin. This is rooted in the understanding that the Creator possesses authority over His creation, and His will must be fulfilled (Isaiah 14:12-15; Romans 1:18-32; 8:5-8; 9:19-21). Sin arises from a fundamental conflict between human desires and divine intentions.

THE PENELTY OF SIN.

God loves all people and desires for them to be with Him. However, He cannot tolerate sin or sinners in His presence due to His holiness and righteousness. Consequently, He must condemn and judge sin, as the penalty for sin is physical and spiritual death (Genesis 2:16-17; Ezekiel 18:4; Romans 6:23).

Physical death indicates separation from life in this world, while spiritual death signifies separation from God. Sinners cannot bear the weight of their sins and attain life, nor can they make themselves acceptable to God through any works of righteousness (Isaiah 64:6; Romans 8:7-8; Titus 3:5).

Therefore, God's righteous justice requires satisfaction in another manner. Driven by His love, mercy, and grace (1 John 4:8), God devised a plan to pay the price Himself. This divine act allows people to be made right before Him, welcoming them into His presence.

THE WORK OF CHRIST.

God sent His Son to unite with humankind to accomplish His divine plan (John 1:1-2, 14). This union was realized through the virgin birth of Jesus Christ, conceived by the Holy Spirit (Matthew 1:20-23). A central aspect of this plan was Jesus, the Christ, dying by crucifixion as a substitute for all sinners (Psalm 22:1, 11-18; Isaiah 53:3-12; Romans 5:6-8). Though He was without sin, He willingly took upon Himself the sins of humanity (2 Corinthians 5:21; 1 Peter 2:21-24).

In His final moments, Jesus expressed His profound sense of separation from God with the anguished cry, “Why have You forsaken me?” (Matthew 27:46). His declaration, “It is finished,” signified that the payment for sin had been fully accomplished (John 19:30). Three days later, His resurrection from the dead served as definitive proof that sin and death had been conquered, demonstrating that the redemption price was entirely paid (Romans 4:25; 1 Corinthians 15:3-5, 20-23).

Through His death, Jesus not only endured separation from God but also shed His blood, which constituted the payment for humanity's redemption (Ephesians 1:7). This act satisfied God’s righteous justice (1 John 2:1-2) and laid the foundation for sinners to be reconciled to God (2 Corinthians 5:18-19). In doing so, God revealed His mercy, allowing us to receive His forgiveness.

THE WORK OF THE HOLY SPIRIT

Christ's payment for sin provides the means for God to save sinners. This transformative process begins with the Holy Spirit's convicting work, instilling a consciousness of sin and fostering a genuine need for salvation (John 16:8-10). Once individuals become aware of their sinfulness, they are introduced to the gospel truth: Jesus Christ died to atone for their sins. It is through the Holy Spirit that they gain understanding and the ability to believe in this essential message, as noted in 1 Corinthians 2:11-12.

THE RESPONSIBILITY OF SINNERS

Sinners can attain redemption by believing that Jesus Christ died for their sins and was raised from the dead. This belief is rooted in trusting and relying on Christ rather than self-effort or any other means of salvation from sin. The faith that God requires for salvation centers on depending on the Savior to accomplish the work of saving rather than on human “doing.” The New Testament emphasizes “faith” or “belief” as God’s only requirement for salvation, with over one hundred verses reinforcing this message, including John 1:12, John 3:16, Acts 16:31, Romans 1:16-17, and Romans 10:9-14.

**Regeneration Gives New Life**

Upon accepting Christ as their Savior through faith, sinners receive forgiveness for all their sins and eternal life. This new life is spiritual and made possible through the regenerating work of the Holy Spirit. It signifies a new birth, transforming believers into children of God who are born again. This eternal life is given by grace through faith alone and is independent of any works of righteousness (John 3:17-18, Ephesians 2:4-9, and 1 John 5:13).

THE LORDSHIP OF JESUS

God, the all-powerful Creator and sovereign ruler of the universe, establishes Jesus Christ as the ultimate authority over believers. As the Head of the church, which is His body, Jesus deserves our allegiance and submission as members of His Kingdom (Ephesians 5:23-24 and Romans 12:1-2).

In the name "Lord Jesus Christ," the term "Lord" underscores His deity, while "Jesus" is the human name given to Him as Savior, as noted in Matthew 1:21. The title "Christ" refers to the Messiah, the Anointed One, chosen to be the exclusive Savior, as reflected in Acts 4:12.

Believing in the Lord Jesus Christ (Acts 16:31), confessing Him as Lord (Romans 10:9), and calling on His name (Romans 10:13) all emphasize the necessity of recognizing His deity. The concept of Jesus’ Lordship in a believer's life illustrates the transformative work of God that begins at the moment of salvation and continues throughout the believer's journey. By recognizing Christ's authority and allowing His influence to permeate their lives, believers experience ongoing transformation and spiritual growth.

THE BELIEVERS NEW LIFE

When sinners accept Christ as their Savior through faith, they experience a transformative moment in which God forgives all their sins and grants them the gift of eternal life (Eph. 1:7; Col. 1:13-14; 1 Jn. 5:13). This marks the beginning of a new spiritual life, made possible through the regenerating work of the Holy Spirit (Tit. 3:5). Often referred to as the new birth (Jn. 3:3-8), believers become born-again children of God (1 Jn. 3:1-2). Importantly, this eternal life is received by grace through faith alone, independent of any works of righteousness (Jn. 3:17-18, 36; 20:30-31; Eph. 2:4-9).

Beyond the gift of eternal life, salvation includes a host of additional blessings. Believers are justified—declared righteous by faith (Rom. 3:21-26; 4:1-8)—and are united with the body of Christ through the baptism of the Holy Spirit (Acts 1:4-5; 1 Cor. 12:13). They are also indwelt by the Holy Spirit (Jn. 14:16-17; Rom. 8:9-11), adopted into the family of God as sons and daughters (Eph. 1:3-5), and transferred from the kingdom of darkness into the kingdom of God (Col. 1:13). Each of these blessings enriches the believer’s identity and deepens their relationship with God.

SANCTIFICATION OF THE BELIEVER

When an individual becomes a child of God through faith, they undergo a transformational process marked by the reception of a new nature (2 Corinthians 5:17; 2 Peter 1:2-4). This new birth initiates progressive sanctification, where God actively works to bring about good works in the believer's life.

At the moment of new birth, believers also enter into positional sanctification. This means they are set apart to God in holiness and regarded as entirely acceptable to Him (1 Corinthians 1:30, 6:11; Ephesians 2:19; Hebrews 10:10, 14). For instance, even the Corinthians, who faced many behavioral issues, were called saints in Paul's letters (1 Corinthians 1:2). This illustrates that positional sanctification is a status conferred upon believers, regardless of their current behavior.

In addition to these initial stages, believers look forward to ultimate sanctification, which refers to the complete perfection in holiness they will experience when glorified in the presence of God (Romans 8:29-30; Ephesians 1:4; 5:27; 1 John 3:1-3; Jude 1:24).

In the present, believers are called to engage in a lifelong journey of sanctification by putting away sin and practicing righteousness (Romans 6:1-22, 12:1-2). God's plan for each believer includes participation in good works that reflect their new identity (Ephesians 2:10; Titus 3:8). The indwelling Holy Spirit empowers believers to develop Christ-like character and to perform deeds that honor God (Romans 8:2-4, 11-14; Galatians 5:22-25).

It is essential to recognize that the process of becoming more like Christ is ongoing and continues throughout a believer's life (Romans 8:28-30; Philippians 1:6). However, the narratives of many biblical characters illustrate that sanctification can occur at varying rates and is often accompanied by struggles against sin and failure (1 Corinthians 3:14-15; 5:3-5; 6:6-8; Hebrews 5:11-12; 11:32-34; 2 Peter 2:7-8; Revelation 2-3). This reality emphasizes the dynamic nature of faith and spiritual growth in Christ.

THE BELIEVER’S ASSURANCE AND ETERNAL SECURITY

Assurance of salvation is attainable through understanding the requirements outlined in the Word of God and recognizing that these requirements have already been fulfilled. The sole condition for salvation is faith in Jesus Christ as Savior. For example, John 3:36 asserts that believers have eternal life, and John 5:24 emphasizes that they will not face judgment but have transitioned from death to life. Present tense verbs in these passages indicate that eternal life is a current possession for those who believe.

The Apostle Paul reinforces this assurance when he instructs the Philippian jailer to "Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved" (Acts 16:31). Similarly, the Apostle John highlights that eternal life is a gift from God given through His Son. Those who have the Son already possess life, and those who place their faith in Him can confidently know they have eternal life (1 John 5:13). By understanding that God requires belief and that faith in Christ is sufficient, individuals can be assured that their salvation is both real and personally held.

Furthermore, eternal life is affirmed as a present possession for all believers in Christ, as clarified in John 3:36 and 5:24. Since eternity is everlasting, the life that believers possess is not temporary but permanent. This eternal life begins now and continues forever. Jesus assures us that those He grants eternal life will never perish, securely held in His hands alongside the Father's protective grasp. As stated in John 10:27-30, no one can snatch them from either hand, providing profound security for all believers.

Additionally, Romans 8 opens with the declaration that there is no condemnation for those in Christ Jesus—a status granted by the Spirit at the moment of salvation. The chapter ends with the comforting assurance that nothing can separate believers from the love of God. This truth reinforces the idea that believers are eternally secure. Therefore, salvation is not merely a future hope but a present and permanent possession for every believer!