2 Corinthians 4:6| Romans 1:16 | 1 Corinthians 12:3
Introduction:
What is salvation and what does salvation mean to you?
Salvation is of God and belongs to Him – Jonah 2:9, Acts 4:12. It came as a result of His love for us. It is the work of God in which He forgives sin and gives eternal life to a believing sinner as a free gift of His grace – Ephesians 2:8-9.
It is deliverance from sin and its consequences. A gift of freedom from sins that our Lord Jesus made possible by taking the punishment for our sins on the cross of Calvary.
The Bible makes it clear that salvation is by Grace through faith in Jesus Christ and not of works of any kind and comes only through Jesus – John 14:6.
Forgiveness is needed because we were all born sinners – Psalm 51:5, and a new life is needed because we were all born spiritually dead, separated from God – Romans 5:12, Ephesians 2:1-3. Having a sinful nature and being spiritually dead results in us being totally depraved; meaning that we are unable to please God by our good deeds – Mark 7:20-23 (NIV), 1 Corinthians 2:14.
The Bible says that we have all sinned and fallen short of the glory of God – Romans 3:23. Sin is any lack of conformity to the holy character of God. The sinful nature is expressed in selfish thoughts and actions and rebellion against the will and plan of God – John 3:19-20, Galatians 5:19-21.
God loves everyone and desires us all to be with Him, but He cannot tolerate sin and sinners in His presence because of His holiness and righteousness. He condemns and judges sin. The penalty for sin is death, both physical and spiritual – Genesis 2:16-17, Ezekiel 18:4, Romans 6:23. Physical death is separation from life in this world; spiritual death is separation from God – 2 Corinthians 5:21.
God sent His Son Jesus to die for us, and to be saved, we all must ask for forgiveness of our sins and be willing to turn away from them and accept Jesus Christ as our Lord and Saviour – Romans 10:9-10.
We need to believe in Him, and confess our sins, for Jesus to forgive and restore us back to the Father – Colossians 1:12-13.
Conclusion
Jesus brought redemption and subsequently salvation to all – Romans 5:11-15. Salvation includes a relationship with and adoption into the family of God. Jesus’ primary mission is to provide salvation for all people. To inherit eternal life, we must receive the Lord Jesus Christ, as our personal Lord and Saviour and experience the redemption that comes through His shed blood.
Grace, faith and belief play a significant part in our salvation and to receive eternal salvation, we must have a change of heart and work it out with fear and trembling – Philippians 2:12.
Let’s always be grateful to God Almighty for our salvation and remember we are all saved by Grace through faith. Amen.
Discussion:
- Explain Salvation, Redemption and Adoption in your own words.
- How is Jesus’ statement that He came to seek and to save the lost, an encouragement to all believers to be involved in evangelism? Matthew 1:21, John 10:10.
- Why is it essential for each of us to personally receive the Lord Jesus Christ as Saviour? John 6:47, John 3:16.
- Further to the discussion at our Bible study 3 weeks ago, What is your take on once saved, forever saved? Discuss with references to Bible passages.
Prayer