What is Salvation?

What is Salvation?... hero image

From a theological perspective, the word "salvation" comes from a Greek word "soteria" and when it is coupled with the word "logos" which means "doctrine" you have the study of the doctrine of salvation which is recognized in theological circles as "Soteriology". In the Bible there are many discussions about the holiness and love of God, as well as the sinfulness of every man. These extremes between God and man have a great distance between them and God says that that distance is infinite.

God knew this ahead of time and planned for man's salvation before the foundations of the earth. In fact before God created anything he knew that Satan would fall, that his followers would fall, and that he would convince mankind to fall. God was not caught unaware, for he new (foreknew) everything and made a plan to redeem fallen man. God made his plan of salvation known since the very beginning, and he made it so simple that even a child could understand and receive the transforming power of God's promise and the Holy Spirit. Yet God's plan of salvation is so profound that the most intelligent would not be able to find it except by coming God's way, which is by coming with the faith of a child.

The core message of God's plan of salvation centers around the the message of a mediator, a go-between, someone who could stand in the middle and connect fallen sinful man with a perfect and holy God. In the Old Testament there was a man named Job who realized that he was a sinner and that God was absolutely holy. He felt this great distance and he said "God is not a man like me that I might answer him, that we might confront one another in court. If only there were someone to arbitrate between us, to lay his hand upon us both". (Job 9:32, 33).

This is exactly why Jesus Christ came, he became the only mediator between God and man (1 Timothy 2:5), the only one who could stand in the gap and touch them both and bring them together. He did this by becoming man's substitute and bearing the penalty for man's sin (Hebrews 2:14-17). Jesus became a man, a qualified representative of the human race through his mother Mary, and put himself on the altar of the cross, bore the judgment and penalty of God and became a blood sacrifice. He did this once and for all, that all mankind could be saved, if they would come to faith in Jesus Christ as their substitute who died for them. If someone would choose not to come they would have to bear the punishment and wrath of God themselves to pay for their own sins (Romans 6:23). This became a reality when Jesus died, was buried, and rose again from the dead on the morning of the third day, ascending into heaven and being exalted to the right hand of God. Salvation becomes a reality when a person repents and comes to Jesus through faith, he becomes justified, he receives the Holy Spirit and is regenerated and born again, he becomes adopted as a son of God, his sins are cleansed and he is sanctified forever, given the assurance of heaven, and the promise that Jesus will be with him not only in this age but in the age to come.

Devotional Answer

Salvation was born within the greatest love-story of all time. It involves the daring rescue of mankind by man's Creator, who must leave Heaven and enter the strife and terror of earth to pay the ultimate price to save mankind from eternal destruction. Mankind is blind to their need so they judge the Rescuer as evil, and fight Him to the death. But this was the plan that the prophets had foretold; God must come and be killed by man, to save man, whom He desperately loves. What a story salvation is! As it unfolds and is unveiled through God's book the Bible, it has every thrilling twist and turn one could imagine.

But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed. Isaiah 53:5

God is absolutely holy and absolutely loving. So holy that no one could stand before him without instant self-condemning awareness of every wrong thing they have ever done. But God is also so loving that no one could stand in His presence without wanting with all their being to be like Him, loved by Him and and want to be with Him forever and always. God must eliminate our guilt to be with us.

This loving and just God created man and woman in His spiritual likeness, with the ability to be loving and good. But they misused their God-given freewill and rebelled becoming sinful and self-serving, guilty and separated from that blissful fellowship. They and their offspring were doomed to a life blinded by unending cravings, anger, grief and warring self-will because satisfaction can only found in fellowship with God. As a rose cut off from the stem, man and woman would now start life off beautiful and vibrant, but then slowly wither and die. This is mankind's state.

The holiness of God demands punishment for this rebellion and the terrible results produced. But the love of God absolutely must rescue man from this consequence. What is God to do with a seemingly impossible contradiction? If He judges man he violates his own love. If He loves man and ignores His sin, He violates His eternal Holiness. Can you dear friend watch someone you love continually violate someone else you love? We feel the need for justice as well throughout our days on much smaller occasions. We can hardly be insulted on the freeway without feeling violated and wanting to lash out.

God is ultimately loving and ultimately just. And the object of His love has turned to evil. God concludes that He Himself must bear his own punishment and die in order to save mankind. This He accomplished when the Son of God received our penalty and satisfied the Father's justice by dying on a Roman cross. Now He offers us the great exchange; our sin for His righteousness and a new beginning, with the seeds of a new nature growing again in us. This is salvation. The greatest deal in the history of mankind. We are saved by accepting this grand and high-priced solution. This is the Gospel, the good news. Decisively, with loving intentions from eternity, Jesus Christ died for our sins that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.

"Consequently, just as one trespass resulted in condemnation for all people, so also one righteous act resulted in justification and life for all people. For just as through the disobedience of the one man the many were made sinners, so also through the obedience of the one man the many will be made righteous." Romans 5:18,19

"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here! All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting people’s sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation. We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God. God made him who had no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God." 2 Corinthians 5:17-21


Prayer:

Dear Father, dear God...could this story of redemption be possibly true? It sounds so much like a fairytale. A great hero rescuing the damsel in distress. But why does my heart leap at the thought of your love coming to rescue me in such a way? Why do such stories of deliverance through the self-sacrifice of another move us to tears in our deepest emotions? Dear Lord I want to believe the good news. Help me believe. Jesus, you came to earth, please come to me now and show me the truth. I accept you as my Lord and Savior. I want your salvation with all my heart. Forgive me of my sins. Make me a new person! I am Yours forever.


Related Articles:

Theological Implications of the BRG Bible’s Color-Coding System: A Comparative Analysis

The BRG Bible, also known as the Blue Red Green Bible, introduces a unique color-coding system designed to aid readers in understanding and interpreting the text. This innovative approach sets it apart from traditional Bible translations and other vi...

Exploring the Good News Bible (GW): Historical Aspects, Comparative Analysis, Impact on Bible Study, and Theological Distinctives

The Good News Bible (GW), also known as the Good News Translation (GNT) in the United States, is a notable example of modern Bible translations designed to make the scriptures accessible to a wide audience. This post will explore the specific aspects...

How do we understand the concept of eternal life and the afterlife?

Understanding the concept of eternal life and the afterlife is a deep and profound topic. Here are some key insights from the Bible that can help us grasp this concept: Eternal Life as a Gift: The Bible teaches that eternal life is a gift from God, m...

Exploring the Differences Between The Living Bible (TLB) and the New Living Translation (NLT): Impact of Paraphrases on Bible Study

The Living Bible (TLB) and the New Living Translation (NLT) are two prominent English translations of the Bible that have made significant contributions to the accessibility and comprehension of Scripture. While both versions aim to present the Bible...

Exploring the Jewish Publication Society’s JPS Tanakh (JUB): Word Usage and Comparison to Literal and Dynamic Equivalence Translations

The Jewish Publication Society's Tanakh (JUB), first published in 1962 and updated in 2004, is a significant English translation of the Hebrew Bible. It reflects the Jewish tradition and perspective on the Scriptures, differing from other translation...

The Tree of Life Version (TLV): Specific Aspects, Comparison to Other Messianic Jewish Translations, Impact on Jewish-Christian Dialogue, and Theological Distinctives

The Tree of Life Version (TLV) is a unique translation of the Bible that reflects the Jewish roots of the Christian faith. It was created by the Messianic Jewish Family Bible Society and aims to bridge the gap between Jewish and Christian communities...

How do we understand the concept of the Trinity?

The concept of the Trinity is a foundational belief in Christian theology, seeking to understand the nature of God as revealed in the Bible. While the Trinity is a profound mystery that surpasses human comprehension, several key aspects can help in g...

An In-Depth Examination of the New American Standard Bible (NASB): Key Aspects, Comparisons with Other Literal Translations, Impact on Bible Study, and Differences Between Editions

The New American Standard Bible (NASB) is a prominent English translation of the Bible known for its rigorous adherence to literal translation principles. First published in 1963, the NASB has undergone several revisions, reflecting advances in bibli...

What is Prayer? post related image

What is Prayer?

"If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him? " Matthew 7:11The reality of prayer for the Christian is that he is calling upon an inf...

How do we cultivate a deeper relationship with God through prayer and meditation?

Cultivating a deeper relationship with God through prayer and meditation is a lifelong journey of seeking His presence and growing in intimacy with Him. Here are some key practices that can help in this endeavor: Set Aside Regular Time: Dedicate spec...

A Detailed Historical Analysis of the American Standard Version (ASV): Comparison to the King James Version, Influence on Later Translations, and Evaluation of Strengths and Weaknesses

The American Standard Version (ASV), first published in 1901, represents a pivotal moment in the history of English Bible translations. Designed as an update and improvement upon the King James Version (KJV), the ASV aimed to offer a more accurate an...

Why Do Christians Celebrate Christmas? post related image

Why Do Christians Celebrate Christmas?

Christmas is one of the most widely celebrated holidays in the world, bringing together people of all backgrounds to commemorate the birth of Jesus Christ. But why exactly do Christians celebrate Christmas? Let’s explore the origins, biblical basis...

The Lexham English Bible (LEB): Transparency Features and Comparison to Other Textual Accuracy Emphasizing Translations

The Lexham English Bible (LEB) is a modern translation that emphasizes transparency and textual accuracy in its approach to translating the Bible. Produced by Logos Bible Software, the LEB was first published in 2012. It aims to provide readers with ...

Understanding the New International Reader’s Version (NIRV): Simplified Language Examples and Comparison with Other Easy-to-Read Bible Translations

The New International Reader's Version (NIRV) is a notable Bible translation designed specifically for readers who seek a more accessible and simplified version of the Scriptures. First published in 1995 as an adaptation of the New International Vers...

A Detailed Historical Analysis of Language Updates in the KJ21: Comparison with Other Versions

The King James 21st Century Version (KJ21) represents an effort to modernize the language of the classic King James Version (KJV) while preserving its traditional style and accuracy. First published in 1994, the KJ21 aimed to update archaic expressio...

The Darby Bible: A Detailed Historical Analysis

The Darby Bible, also known as the Darby Translation or the Darby Version, is a distinctive English translation of the Bible by John Nelson Darby, a key figure in the development of the Plymouth Brethren movement. Known for its unique translation phi...

What are the key lessons and themes in the book of Proverbs?

The book of Proverbs is a rich source of wisdom literature in the Bible, offering valuable lessons and insights for practical living. Here are some key lessons and themes found within its pages: The Fear of the Lord: The book of Proverbs repeatedly e...

The New Life Version (NLV): Simplified Language and Comparisons with Other Easy-to-Read Bible Translations

The New Life Version (NLV) is an English Bible translation known for its emphasis on simplicity and clarity. Designed to make the Bible accessible to readers of all ages and reading levels, the NLV uses straightforward language and a simplified appro...


Read The Bible

About

Welcome to Free Bible: Unearthing the Past, Illuminating the Present! Step into a world where ancient history and biblical narratives intertwine, inviting you to explore the rich tapestry of human civilization.

Discover the captivating stories of forgotten empires, delve into the customs and cultures of our ancestors, and witness the remarkable findings unearthed by dedicated archaeologists.

Immerse yourself in a treasure trove of knowledge, where the past comes alive and illuminates our understanding of the present.

Join us on this extraordinary journey through time, where curiosity is rewarded and ancient mysteries await your exploration.

Recent posts