WHAT IS SALVATION?
- A definition of Salvation
- Yasha (yaw-shah) - 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) - 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)