Salvation is deliverance from the penalty of sin. The Bible makes it abundantly clear, however, that there is only one plan of salvation. The most important thing to understand about the plan of salvation is that it is God’s plan, not humanity’s plan.
This is an introduction to the plan of salvation. Up to this point we have studied “Where Did Evil and Chaos Start?” and “Lucifer to Satan, How Did He Get There?”, so it is time that we look at the love of God and His remedy to the rebellion of our fallen world. This blog alone does not give this topic justice, therefore it is presented as an introduction for there will be many more blogs on this subject of vital importance.
1 John 5:11-12 11 And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. 12 He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life.
This passage tells us that God has given us eternal life and this life is in His Son, Jesus Christ. In other words, the way to possess eternal life is to possess God’s Son. The question is, how can a person have the Son of God? Before we answer this question, we must understand the why, the what, and our futility - then we will answer how.
Salvation – The Why
In God’s plan of salvation, first we must understand why we need to be saved. Simply put, we need to be saved because we have sinned, and sin separates us from God (Isaiah 59:2 ).The Bible declares that everyone has sinned (Ecclesiastes 7:20; Romans 3:23; 1 John 1:8).
God is holy and just, and his governance is in perfect love. Living in harmony with God is what he wanted his creation to do. But, we all know what happened in the Garden - Eve desired to "to have her eyes opened, to be as gods, and to know good and evil". This desire of the heart led Eve to take of the fruit and eat, and she gave to her husband who was with her and he also ate. This decision resulted in sin. Sin, plain and simple, is rebellion against God. And, ever since we all choose to actively do things that are wrong. Sin harms others, damages us, and, most importantly, dishonors God. The Bible tell us that God made it clear that our choices have consequences.
Mankind decided that they wanted their own form of governance, defining and discerning for himself what is good and what is evil. When they ate, they were not simply aware of evil; they experienced evil, to the extent that they became evil—sinners by nature. This action was sin and brought forth the consequence of death (Romans 6:23) and eternal separation from God (Revelation 20:11–15). Without God’s plan of salvation, eternal death is the destiny of every human being.
Salvation – The What
According to Romans 5:8, God demonstrated His love for us through the death of His Son. In God’s plan of salvation, God Himself is the only one who can provide for our salvation.
Why did Christ have to die for us? Because Scripture declares all men to be sinful. To “sin” means to transgress God's law (1 John 3:4) so we miss the mark, we fall short. The Bible declares “all have sinned and fall short of the glory (the perfect holiness) of God” (Rom. 3:23). In other words, our sin separates us from God who is perfect holiness (righteousness and justice) and God must therefore judge sinful man.
The truth is that we are utterly unable to save ourselves because of our sin and its consequences. God became a human being in the Person of Jesus Christ (John 1:1, 14). Jesus lived a sinless life (2 Corinthians 5:21; Hebrews 4:15; 1 John 3:5) and offered Himself as a perfect sacrifice on our behalf (1 Corinthians 15:3; Colossians 1:22; Hebrews 10:10). Since Jesus is God, His death was of infinite and eternal value. The death of Jesus Christ on the cross fully paid for the sins of the entire world (1 John 2:2). His resurrection from the dead demonstrated that His sacrifice was indeed sufficient and that salvation is now available for those who want to receive it.
The Futility of Our Works
Scripture also teaches that no amount of human goodness, human works, human morality, or religious activity can gain acceptance with God or get anyone into heaven. We all stand naked, helpless, and hopeless in ourselves.
The moral man, the religious man, and the immoral and non-religious are all in the same boat. They all fall short of God’s perfect righteousness. After discussing the immoral man, the moral man, and the religious man in Romans 1:18-3:8, the Apostle Paul declares that both Jews and Greeks are under sin, that “there is no one righteous, not even one” (Rom. 3:9-10). If there were any exception, he surely would have stated it here. Outside of Christ, “there is no one righteous, not even one”. So, no amount of good living will get us to heaven or give us eternal life. Added to this are the declarations of the following verses of Scripture:
Ephesians 2:8-98 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.
Titus 3:5-7 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; 6 Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour; 7 That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.
Romans 4:1-5 What shall we say then that Abraham our father, as pertaining to the flesh, hath found? 2 For if Abraham were justified by works, he hath whereof to glory; but not before God. 3 For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness. 4 Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt. 5 But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.
So, only God is perfect righteousness. This puts to rest any idea that we, or anyone else for that matter, can obtain salvation or merit through our own works or through the works of others.
Faith that Works
What about James? You say that James tells us “faith without works is dead” (James 2:14-26). So the real question is, What is the right understanding of works? It is clear that our works do not play any part in being saved, but this "work" that is mentioned is a manifestation of our faith.
The key point is that not just any faith will save. Genuine faith, saving faith, is characterized by good works. Likewise, works are only good works if they spring from faith. Faith and works are inseparable. Like two sides of a coin, one cannot exist without the other. Also like a coin, one side is the head and the other the tail. Faith comes first and then leads the way to corresponding works. As stated earlier, works is ultimately a manifestation of our faith. The Holy Spirit brings forth works that is evidenced by bearing “good fruit”. This change in our characters “put to death the old man” and brings forth “a new creature” who “images God”. This is further exhibits that our faith is not just an intellectual dead faith.
Salvation – The How
In Acts 16:31, a man asked the apostle Paul how to be saved. Paul’s response was, “Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ and you will be saved.” The way to follow God’s plan of salvation is to believe. That is the only requirement (John 3:16; Ephesians 2:8–9). God has provided for our salvation through Jesus Christ. All we must do is receive it, by faith, fully trusting in Jesus alone as Savior (John 14:6; Acts 4:12). That is God’s plan of salvation. That faith of course is evidenced by our "new creature" character which was described earlier in the blog.
Because of His love, mercy, and grace, He has not left us without hope and a solution. Below is more encouraging scripture:
Romans 5:8 But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.
Romans 1:4 And declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead:
Romans 4:25 Who was delivered for our offences, and was raised again for our justification.
2 Corinthians 5:21 For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.
1 Peter 3:18 For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit:
This is the good news of the Bible, the message of the gospel. It’s the message of the gift of God’s own Son who became man (the God-man), lived a sinless life, died on the cross for our sin, and rose from the grave proving both the fact He is God’s Son and the value of His death for us as our substitute. Jesus bridges the gap.
Salvation – Will You Receive It?
Because of what Jesus Christ accomplished for us on the cross, the Bible states, “He that has the Son has life” (1 Jn. 5:12). We can receive the Son, Jesus Christ, as our Savior by personal faith, by trusting in the person of Christ and His death for our sins. Peter tell us, “For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit: ( 1 Peter 3:18). More encouraging scripture:
John 1:12 But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:
John 3:16-18 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. 17 For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. 18 He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.
This means we must each come to God the same way:
1. as a sinner who recognizes his sinfulness,
2. realizes no human works can result in salvation, and
3. relies totally on Christ alone by faith alone for our salvation.
If You Want It – All You Have to do is Ask
If you would like to receive and trust Christ as your personal Savior, you may want to express your faith in Christ by a simple prayer acknowledging your sinfulness, accepting His forgiveness and putting your faith in Christ for your salvation.
Then, pray these words:
Dear God in heaven, I come to you in the name of Jesus. I acknowledge to You that I am a sinner, and I am sorry for my sins and the life that I have lived; I need your forgiveness.
I believe that your only begotten Son Jesus Christ shed His precious blood on the cross at Calvary and died for my sins, and I am now willing to turn from my sin.
You said in Your Holy Word, Romans 10:9 that if we confess the Lord our God and believe in our hearts that God raised Jesus from the dead, we shall be saved.
Right now I confess Jesus as the Lord of my soul. With my heart, I believe that God raised Jesus from the dead. This very moment I accept Jesus Christ as my own personal Savior and according to His Word, right now I am saved.
Thank you Jesus for your unlimited grace which has saved me from my sins. I thank you Jesus that your grace never leads to license, but rather it always leads to repentance. Therefore Lord Jesus transform my life so that I may bring glory and honor to you alone and not to myself.
Thank you Jesus for dying for me and giving me eternal life. Amen.