Salvation by Grace through
Faith in Christ

The work of Jesus Christ as Savior is the prominent theme in the Bible.  He is the promised seed of woman who will conquer Satan (Gen. 3:15).  He is the promised Servant of Yahweh who would bear the sins of the whole world (Isa. 53:4-6; Jn. 1:24). As the Savior Jesus Christ died on the cross and suffered the judgment of the sin of the whole world (I Cor. 15:3-4; II Cor. 5:19-21; I Pet. 1:18-19; I Jn. 2:2; Rev. 1:5).

The atoning substitutionary death of Jesus Christ on the cross is the absolute guarantee of the believer’s salvation (Rom. 8:34).  The all-sufficient, sacrificial blood of Jesus Christ has been shed, and it is by that blood God has been propitiated (I Jn. 2:2).  The divine penalty has been born by Christ (I Pet. 2:24; 3:18).

The resurrection of Jesus Christ is God’s seal upon the death of Jesus that guarantees the believer’s resurrection and eternal life (Jn. 3:16; 10:28).  The resurrection of Jesus proves that His substitutionary work on the cross is infinitely perfect in its all sufficiency.

The offer of salvation is to all who will repent and believe on Jesus Christ. "It is a trustworthy statement, deserving full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, among whom I am foremost of all" (1 Timothy 1:15). It is His desire that all individuals trust in Christ and be saved.  "Who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth" (1 Timothy 2:4). Salvation is not universal, and it is not automatic.  All religions do not lead to the same place.  Salvation comes only by trust in Jesus Christ. “For there is one God, and one mediator also between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave Himself as a ransom for all” (1 Timothy 2:5-6a).  “And there is salvation in no one else; for there is no other name under heaven that has been given among men by which we must be saved” (Acts 4:12).

Only the individual who calls upon the name of Jesus will be saved (Acts 2:21).  “For whoever will call upon the name of The Lord will be saved” (Rom. 10:13).

Salvation comes to us by grace through faith in Jesus Christ.  “We believe that we are saved through the grace of the Lord Jesus…” (Acts 15:11).  “Even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved)” (Eph. 2:5).  And then to make his point emphatically clear the apostle Paul wrote, "For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, so that no one may boast" (Ephesians 2:8-9).

God saves us, not in virtue of our works, but in virtue of the atoning work of Jesus Christ on behalf of the sinner (II Tim. 1:9).  The Bible is emphatically clear beyond any doubt that every person does not deserve or merit, and cannot win salvation.  Salvation depends on the grace of God alone. It is God’s free gift to men and women all over the world.  It is given in mercy out of love, and is totally underserved. Although salvation is free as the absolute gift of God, an individual receives it by faith.  “For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God” (Ephesians 2:8.  No, faith is not a work.  Faith is not something you psych yourself up to.  Faith means accepting Jesus Christ at His word.  “They said, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved” (Acts 16:31).  Salvation is God’s free gift to you and received as you would any other gift with empty open hands.  Will you believe on Jesus Christ and receive His free gift to you right now?  "For with the heart a person believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses, resulting in salvation" (Romans 10:10).

Selah!

Message by Wil Pounds (c) 2006

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