What is Salvation?

Whether you call it salvation or redemption, it comes down to three things:

1.       Being freed from my sin debt and from the power of sin in my life.

2.       Being restored to a relationship with my Creator who loves me.

3.       Being saved from an eternity of torment.

Paul explains that we are saved by grace but faith is our part in the process. Jesus' sacrifice, an act of grace is available to every person. However, only those with the faith to accept gift will be saved.

TWO PERSPECTIVES

According to the Bible, salvation was made possible by the sacrifice of Jesus on the cross at Calvary. Most religions that call themselves "Christian" attribute some level of importance to Jesus' sacrifice, however there are two general perspectives on what Jesus accomplished on the cross. For this conversation, I will refer to them as the "DO" and "DONE" perspectives, and explain them for you.

The DO Perspective -- Not Biblical

This perspective is less about what Jesus did for me and more about what I must do to be saved.

Jesus paid some amount of sin debt on the cross, but He did NOT cover all sins past, present and future.

• I am responsible for my sin when I face God in the final judgement.

• I will answer for how I lived my life.

• I cannot be 100% certain of my eternal destiny until after the final judgement.

• I must do something to complete the process of salvation – like doing good works, attending church faithfully and participating in activities like confession.

The DONE Perspective -- Biblical

This perspective assumes that Jesus did everything that was required to provide my salvation. The only thing left for me to do is to accept His gift. 

• Jesus paid 100% of my sin debt on the cross. He covered my past, present and future sins. When Jesus said, “It is Finished” He meant it.

• When I face God at final judgement, I will not be judged for my sin because it was marked “Paid in Full” at the cross.

• I will answer for how I lived my life after I was redeemed. What did I do with the gift I was given?

• My judgement will not affect my eternal destination as that was decided when I made the decision to accept Jesus’ work on my behalf.  

BE WARNED

If the path you are following matches the DO Perspective and requires you to DO anything to be saved, you have in effect said that you have a better plan for salvation than God's plan, you have rejected Jesus' sacrifice on your behalf.  You have chosen your works to be your "god" and rejected your Creator.  You can be 100% certain that your eternal destination is one of torment separated from God.

WHAT ABOUT WORKS

Works to earn your salvation are an offense to God.

Works done out of gratitude for your salvation, enabled by the power of the Holy Spirit, are received as an offering of Worship by God.