There are many facets to salvation, but there is not enough space here to tackle them all. So this article concentrates on understanding the way of salvation as taught by the Lord Jesus Himself, through a personal relationship with Him.



SALVATION IS NOT AUTOMATIC

Although it's true that Christ died to save us from the consequences of our sins, salvation isn't automatic. Nor is it universal. Only those who put their faith in Christ qualify.

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 ..... 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. (John 3:16, 18, KJV)

However, some folk don't like the idea of having to humble themselves by submitting to and relying on someone else. It offends their feelings of self-worth. They would rather be independent and earn their own salvation. And they're free to try to do this, if they wish. But it isn't God's desire that anyone should perish. He wants to save us all from the judgment that is coming (1 Timothy 2:4).

Then there are others who don't understand that they have a role to play in their salvation. They assume that as long as they acknowledge that the Lord Jesus is the Son of God and the Saviour of mankind, then this qualifies them for salvation. But the demons also acknowledge who Christ is, yet they're going to end up in hell.

Furthermore, merely believing that we're destined for heaven could never get us there. That would be like believing we're destined for London, yet not climbing on to an airplane or a train or whatever, so that we can travel to our destination. If we really intended to travel to London, we would commit ourselves to the journey by packing our bags and availing ourselves of the necessary transport. Similarly, we need to commit ourselves to the journey to eternal life with God. This involves making a definite decision, and then following it through with the necessary action. And God has decreed that the way to Him is not through religion, church membership, confirmation, baptism, obedience to laws and ordinances, self-effort, and so on. It is only through the person of Christ.

Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved. (Acts 4:12, KJV)

Christ doesn't save anyone by force. We have to voluntarily turn our backs on our old, independent lifestyles, and cast off any thoughts of ever reaching heaven through our own efforts. (Self-reliance and pride are the traits that estranged us from God in the first place.) Then we need to come to Christ in repentance, just as we are, warts and all, and ask Him to forgive us for our sins and to be our Saviour. It's no good trying to clean up our act first before we come to Him, because if we were capable of doing that we wouldn't have needed a Saviour.

Once we've surrendered ourselves to Him for salvation, the Lord Jesus will start changing our hearts so that we can become the people God wants us to be. Then we'll begin the most exciting journey of our lives. Our only regret will be that we waited so long.



SALVATION IS BY FAITH

For by grace ye are saved through faith ... (Ephesians 2:8, KJV).
... As it is written, the just shall live by faith (Romans 1:17, KJV).

Some people think that faith is the same thing as theoretic belief; but it isn't. A Frenchman named Charles Blondin pushed a wheelbarrow along a tightrope suspended 160 feet above the Niagara Falls. Then he asked the spectators if they believed he could carry a man across the falls on his back. They believed. So he asked for a volunteer. Belief was no longer enough. Real faith was necessary. Somebody had that faith, and Blondin carried him across the falls.

That man's faith in Blondin motivated him to put his life into Blondin's hands. And his faith was the catalyst that enabled Blondin to carry him across the falls. In the same way, it is our faith in Christ that will enable Him to save us. (Not that it is our faith that saves us; it is Christ.)

The volunteer didn't struggle or strive to make it across the falls in his own strength. He wasn't depending upon himself at all. He knew that if he tried to get to the other side through his own efforts, he would be a dead man. His faith was in Blondin, so he entrusted his life to him. The Bible tells us that we'll be dead men, eternally speaking, if we rely on our own works or efforts to get us to heaven. Only Christ can get us there. And only those who realize that they are utterly dependent upon Him will be saved, because they'll have become humble enough to allow Christ to have His way with them.

..... Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven. (Matthew 18:3, KJV)

CHRISTIANITY IS A PERSONAL RELATIONSHIP WITH CHRIST

God is faithful, by whom ye were called unto the fellowship of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord. (1 Corinthians 1:9, KJV).

Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him ..... (Hebrews 7:25, KJV)

Sin has corrupted our powers of reasoning and given us wrong attitudes. It's also made us prejudiced, and has blinded us to our own faults. So if we are to have the victory over sin we'll need the help of someone whose judgment hasn't been warped by sin. The Lord Jesus is that Someone, and that's why God has called us into a personal relationship with Him.

As we can see, Christianity isn't a religion. It's a fellowship with God through the Lord Jesus Christ, and it comes about by trusting in Him. He proved His love for us by laying His life down to save us from the consequences of our sins. Now He's committed to saving us from the power that sin has over us. He wants to teach us how to cope with life in a world crippled by sin. He overcame the world (John 16:33), and He calls us to come to Him so that He can make us overcomers too.

Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light. (Matthew 11:28-30, KJV)

In biblical times, farmers trained an inexperienced animal by yoking it to one that was more mature. The practised animal taught the younger one the art of pulling a heavy load with a minimum of effort. It was a common sight, and this is the picture that the Lord Jesus had in mind. He wants to teach us how to cope with the burdens of life, so that they won't weigh us down.

However, pride keeps us stubbornly struggling along. Some of us have to reach breaking point before we're prepared to give up our battle of independence. But once we've yoked ourselves to Christ, we discover how foolish we've been. To our surprise, we find that we've lost nothing and have gained everything. Fellowship with Him enables us to know the meaning of true fulfillment. He's the best companion anyone could wish for, and as He walks with us through life, He teaches us His ways. Soon our relationship takes on an intimacy that blossoms into an absolute devotion to the One who not only died for us, but who now lives for us too.

After a while we come to realize the secret of His ability in coping with adversity. It's the practice of acceptance, sometimes called "dying to self" (Luke 9:23). So we try to stop pulling in the other direction. And as we struggle to give up our old, destructive habits and submit to His ways, He gives us the grace that we need to do this. Sometimes we slip and stumble, but He never fails us. Then, to our amazement and overwhelming gratitude, we find that we're starting to develop His inner strength and serenity.

That's what the Christian life is all about. It's a daily walk yoked to Christ our Saviour. He is our dearest friend, our constant companion, and the One who always understands. He's already travelled the road that we're walking now, and He teaches us to cope with life's burdens in a way that gives us inner peace.

Faithful is he that calleth you, who also will do it. (1 Thessalonians 5.24, KJV).

CONCLUSION

It is impossible to find salvation merely through involvement in religious activities. That is not the way that God in His wisdom has provided for us. And Christ gives the following warning to those who believe that their religious works will guarantee their salvation:

Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity. (Matthew 7:22-23, KJV)

Although they had thought that their religious activities warranted their salvation, Christ will say that He never knew them. What He is implying here is that it is not enough to devote our lives to religious works, even if we do them in His name. What He wants is for us to actually commit ourselves to a personal relationship with Him, where our level of intimacy is such that His ongoing influence in our lives will begin to change us.

But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord. (2 Corinthians 3:18, KJV)

Paul, who is a wonderful example of a committed Christian, explains his relationship with Christ in these words:

..... The life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me. (Galations 2:20, KJV)

So now also Christ shall be magnified in my body, whether it be by life, or by death. For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. (Philippians 1:20-21, KJV)

The Bible likens the relationship between Christ and those who are His to that of a groom and His bride. (Revelation 19:7, Ephesians 5:23-30). In other words they have become one, bonded in love, trust and faithfulness.



ADDENDUM

Although salvation is by grace, through faith in Christ alone, the Bible teaches us that we need Christian fellowship. And the Christian life is very much easier when we have the support of other believers, who share in our sorrows and joys.

If you have only just committed your life to Christ and are not already in a church that teaches straight out of the Bible, it is strongly recommended that you find one.

You are most welcome to contact the writer, who will be glad to hear from you and will assist you in every way possible. You will find me at:

response@bibtruth.com

WARNING

Mormons need to bear in mind that the Jesus Christ taught by the LDS is not the Christ of the Bible. He is a fictitious character with a different origin and different attributes, specifically designed to fit in with Joseph Smith's law of eternal progression.

The following links will take you to articles on the Mormon Jesus, and on salvation from a different aspect:

The LDS Jesus Christ is Not the Saviour of the Bible

What is Biblical Salvation?



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