Maybe you're new to the family of God. Or perhaps you are just curious about what I would like to share concerning salvation.
Either way it is my goal to present a study from scripture on "Salvation", that will edify and strengthen the believer. I hope you will find this study valuable.
- A definition of Salvation
- Yasha (yaw-shah) S# 3467 - to be delivered, save; to get help; to deliver; give victory; to preserve. It is worth noting that the name of our Saviour, Jesus, is derived from this root. (Mt. 1:21)
- Soteria (so-tay-ree-ah) S# 4991 - Deliverance, preservation, salvation.
- Promised
Isa 45:17
17 But Israel shall be saved in the LORD with an everlasting salvation: ye shall not be ashamed nor confounded world without end. (KJV)
Here in Isaiah, we find that the Lord promised an "everlasting salvation" to Israel. Not only did he promise "everlasting salvation" to Israel, but also to you and I. For salvation is God's love action.
John 3:16
16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. (KJV)
- God's Gift
Before I continue further in this study of "salvation" I have one question to ask. What do we need salvation from? The answer: Sin and Death.
Rom 6:23
23 For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. (KJV)
God's salvation to us in truely a gift.
Eph 2:8-9
8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
9 Not of works, lest any man should boast. (KJV)
Not only is salvation a "gift of God", but we are to boast, to rejoice in it.
- Possible for Everyone
This thing called "salvation: sounds "great, but is it possible for me? Yes, anyone can attain God's "salvation," and this is why:
Rom 10:13
13 For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. (KJV)
Call upon the very nature (His name) of God, who is merciful (Mic 7:18-19) and he will "save" us. We don't obtain salvation so we can be free from sin and death only to live for ourselves. No, but that we now live for Christ. (Gal 2:20)
Titus 2:11-12
11 For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men,
12 Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; (KJV)
God's mercy that has brought us salvation has appeared to everyone. Instructing us to turn from "ungodliness and wordly lusts" and to "live soberly, righteously and godly." When we acquire God's "salvation" it should be evident to all. If your character is the same now as it was before you received God's "salvation" something is terribly wrong.
2 Cor 13:5
5 Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know ye not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except ye be reprobates? (KJV)
- Only through Christ
There is only one way to God's "salvation" and that is through Jesus Christ. If anyone tells you otherwise, they are liars. (1 Jn 4:2-3)
Jesus is the only way!
John 14:6
6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. (KJV)
Acts 4:12
12 Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved. (KJV)
Our declaration to the world should be:
Acts 15:11
11 But we believe that through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ we shall be saved, even as they. (KJV)
- Only through Water Baptism
Baptism now saves us.
1 Peter 3:21
21 The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God,) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ: (KJV)
Acts 2:38
38 Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. (KJV)
John 3:5
5 Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.
(KJV)
Titus 3:5
5 Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; (KJV)
- Neglect of Salvation
After we have received "salvation" what would happen if we were to turn our backs on God, and go back to our old ways? Will we still have God's salvation? Or will we have lost it?
Heb 2:3
3 How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation; which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard him; (KJV)
Let scripture explain it further.
Heb 10:26-29
26 For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins,
27 But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries.
28 He that despised Moses' law died without mercy under two or three witnesses:
29 Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace? (KJV)
In these verses we see the end of all who have received the knowledge of the truth, but have chosen to leave it behind.
Heb 6:4-6
4 For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost,
5 And have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come,
6 If they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame. (KJV)
Again we see that "it is impossible for these who were once enlightened" that "if they shall fall away to renew them again unto repentance." There is no such thing as "once saved, always saved."
But there is hope for the backslider.
2 P 3:9
9 The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. (KJV)
Jer 3:22
22 Return, ye backsliding children, and I will heal your backslidings. Behold, we come unto thee; for thou art the LORD our God. (KJV)
If you are backsliden, I urge you to repent of your backsliding and return unto the Lord, for this is His desire.
In closing I'd like to encourage all with this last statement.
Php 4:1
1 Therefore, my brethren dearly beloved and longed for, my joy and crown, so stand fast in the Lord, my dearly beloved. (KJV)
2 Th 2:15
15 Therefore, brethren, stand fast, and hold the traditions which ye have been taught, whether by word, or our epistle. (KJV)
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