Salvation is one of the central themes in the Bible. Still, many are confused as to how to be saved. In fact, throughout the history of humanity, especially after the fall of man (Genesis 3), people have been trying different ways to reach God. But God, right after the fall of man, gave a promise that He will deal with Satan through Christ’s victory over death (Gen. 3:15). All of God’s activities after the fall of man are girded towards providing Salvation for the entire human race.
Let us trace God’s excellent way to provide great favor for man.
John 1:1-3 says, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was in the beginning with God. 3 All things came into being through Him, and apart from Him nothing came into being that has come into being.”
John 1:14 says, “And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we saw His glory, glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth.”
John 3:16 says, “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life.”
John 14: 1-6 says, “Do not let your heart be troubled; believe in God, believe also in Me. 2 In My Father’s house are many dwelling places; if it were not so, I would have told you; for I go to prepare a place for you. 3 If I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself, that where I am, there you may be also. 4 And you know the way where I am going.” 5 Thomas *said to Him, “Lord, we do not know where You are going, how do we know the way?” 6 Jesus *said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me.”
John 20:30-31 says, “Therefore many other signs Jesus also performed in the presence of the disciples, which are not written in this book; 31 but these have been written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing you may have life in His name.”
God called Paul;
Acts 9:15 says, ‘But the Lord said to him, “Go, for he (Saul/Paul) is a chosen instrument of Mine, to bear My name before the Gentiles and kings and the sons of Israel; 16 for I will show him how much he must suffer for My name’s sake.”‘
Paul told the Ephesian church;
8 For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; 9 not as a result of works, so that no one may boast. Ephesians 2:8-9
Observations:
Positives and negatives
- Being saved or Salvation is by grace (Positive)
Grace is an extraordinary effect produced by God’s favor, ability, power, enabling
Grace is an experience or state resulting from God’s favor state of grace, favored position (Romans 5.2)
2. Being saved or Salvation is through faith (Positive)
Faith is to be persuaded or come to trust; to believe in the good news about Jesus Christ and to become a follower – ‘to be a believer, to be a Christian, to have the Christian faith.’
3. Being saved or Salvation is the gift of God (Positive)
The gift here refers to a Sacrificial gift or offering
4. Being saved or Salvation is not of yourselves (Negative)
Not is a marker of emphatic negation – ‘by no means, certainly not.
5. Being saved or Salvation is not a result of works (Negative)
In Paul’s writings (ἔργα νόμου), works demanded by and agreeing with the law-in which can be categorized as good works
6. Reason – so that -no one may boast
Boast is to glory (whether with reason or without) of one’s capabilities
Therefore, Paul is telling our modern-day church;
Being saved has an exceptional effect produced by God’s favor, ability, power, and enabling. It is an experience or state resulting from God’s Kindness. Being saved is to be persuaded to trust, to believe in the good news of Jesus Christ, and to become a follower, to be a believer, or to have the Christian conviction. And this is a sacrificial offering of God through Jesus Christ alone. Salvation is certainly not, by no means, coming from ourselves or not even the result of works demanded by or agreeing with the law according to man, which might be right in man’s perspective. So that no man may glory or attribute Salvation based on his efforts.
