Salvation

It is a word we hear a lot in Christian circles, but do we really know what salvation means?

Websters 1828 dictionary defines salvation this way:

SALVA'TION, noun [Latin salvo, to save.]

1.  The act of saving; preservation from destruction, danger or great calamity.

2.  Appropriately in theology, the redemption of man from the bondage of sin and liability to eternal death, and the conferring on him everlasting happiness. This is the great salvation

But to speak of what salvation means I must first tell you about Adam and Eve. There is a consequence that falls upon mankind which is in the form of a penalty which has been passed on to us from Adam and Eve.    In Genesis chapters 2-3 it tells of an idyllic place which was created for mankind which was called “The Garden of Eden”.  This phrase "Garden of Eden" has recently been interpreted to be more closely related to an Aramaic root word meaning "fruitful, well-watered”." *

Depiction of "The Garden of Eden" by Adi Holzer  2012

God placed mankind in a "fruitful, well watered"* garden and talked with him in the cool (breezes) of the day.  Genesis doesn't specifically say that God walked with Adam and Eve, but it does say that God walked in the garden and called out to His creation.

God provided a garden which was able to sustain life, however, man chose a different path. Rather than listen to the voice of the Lord, they (Adam and Eve) chose to listen to the deceiver, who placed doubt in their minds that somehow God was withholding truth that they could be like God and decide for themselves what was best for their life. This was the lie that would corrupt mankind.

Ephesians 2:1-3 (NKJV)

¹ And you He made alive, who were dead in trespasses and sins,  ² in which you once walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit who now works in the sons of disobedience,  ³ among whom also we all once conducted ourselves in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, just as the others.

The penalty for Adam and Eve’s decision was separation from God and His provision. This decision meant spiritual death for them and they were ejected from the Garden of Eden.  This is the inherited penalty we all are born with.

Jesus, by dying on the cross, actually paid for this inherited penalty and restored humanity back to wholeness and favor with God once again.  When we stand in the position of God’s favor, it is a restored place of being “fruitful, and well watered”* , it is also a place where we have everything we need at our fingertips, all that we need to do is ask.  

Romans 5:1-2 (NKJV)

¹ Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ,  ² through whom also we have access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.

There was a high price to be paid for our salvation, and that price was death, which could only be paid by God Himself.  Now if a death sentence were the required penalty, how could we pay it?  None of us would ever be in a place to proclaim freedom from sin or live a life of victory because we would either be dead, or forever locked away in a prison cell on death row awaiting final sentence.

Salvation is a free gift, we are free and clear of any penalty of sin because of the sacrifice of Jesus.  Salvation is nothing we can earn by our own effort, it is provided freely by the mercy of God if we only believe.

There are other words which further describe our salvation, here are just a few:

Atonement

The Bible's central message is atonement. From the first stories in Genesis to the last visions of Revelation it is everywhere apparent that God seeks to reconcile his people to himself and that he has provided a way to do so.  Matt. 20:28, Matt. 26:28 Theopedia Online – definition of Atonement

Propitiation, Jesus became the sacrifice for our sin.

"Propitiation means the turning away of wrath by an offering. In relation to soteriology (the study of salvation), propitiation means placating or satisfying the wrath of God by the atoning sacrifice of Christ."  1 John 2:2; 4:10

Charles C. Ryrie (1999-01-11). Basic Theology: A Popular Systematic Guide to Understanding Biblical Truth (Kindle Locations 5503-5504). Moody Publishers.

Sanctification

Sanctification, or in its verbal form, sanctify, literally means "to set apart" for special use or purpose, that is, to make holy or sacred. Therefore, sanctification refers to the state or process of being set apart, i.e. made holy. In systematic theology, the term often carries a technical meaning that differs from the biblical word group.  Sanctification is regularly equated with the Christian life. Romans 6:22 From Theopedia Online – definition of sanctification

Justification

 Justification is the doctrine that God pardons, accepts, and declares a sinner to be "just" on the basis of Christ's righteousness (Rom 3:24-26; 4:25; 5:15-21) which results in God's peace (Rom 5:1), His Spirit (Rom 8:4), and salvation. Justification is by grace through faith in Jesus Christ apart from all works and merit of the sinner (Rom 1:18-3:28). From Theopedia Online– definition of justification.

Jesus Christ did not die to bring us salvation, Jesus Christ died to BECOME our salvation.  It is the penalty of our sin He fully bore upon Himself.  Salvation is not just an act of benevolence, salvation is a person.  Christ Jesus took the punishment of our penalty upon Himself that we might live and not die.  Salvation is more than just a benevolent gift of love, it is the restoration of our position as sons and daughters of the King.

Ephesians 2:4-7 (NKJV)

⁴ But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us,  ⁵ even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved),  ⁶ and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus,  ⁷ that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.

Salvation has been called many things by many people, but at the heart of salvation is Jesus himself.  Salvation would not exist apart from Jesus.  And there is no other name given whereby we must be saved.  Salvation is the impartation of Jesus to awaken us unto the power and presence of God in our lives.  We were dead in trespass and sin…Jesus imparts life and wholeness.  Jesus makes our spirit ALIVE unto God.

Ephesians 5:14 (NKJV)

¹⁴ Therefore He says:

“Awake, you who sleep,

Arise from the dead,

And Christ will give you light.”

There are many aspects to salvation…

I hope this short journey looking at salvation was helpful to you.  I pray that you may come to a deeper place with Jesus where His presence may encompass every aspect of your daily life, and His presence becomes your fullness of Joy.

If you are searching for deeper meaning in life, or if you are desiring to be closer to God’s presence, then begin by praying this simple prayer with me…

Father, I need you.  You have provided a way for me to be forgiven through the sacrifice of your Son dying on the cross.  I receive His sacrifice as my own, and your forgiveness I fully receive.  Wash me and cleanse me of all of my sin.  I will now stand tall as one of your children.  Speak to me and teach me through your word as I read and study the bible on a daily basis to begin to know you more.  Be with me and strengthen me by bringing other Christians into my life to help me to grow.  Thank you Father for loving me, and for your great salvation.  Amen

Stephen Barnett

God is good all the time―all the time God is good!

THANK YOU FOR SAVING ME

Words and Music by Martin Smith

                                     Thank you for saving me, what can I say?

 You are my everything, I will sing your praise.

 You shed your blood for me, what can I say?

 You took my sin and shame,

 A sinner called by name.

Chorus:

 Great is the Lord,

 Great is the Lord,

 For we know your truth has set us free,

 You've set your hope in me.

 Mercy and grace are mine, forgiven is my sin,

 Jesus my only hope, the Savior of the world.

 "Great is the Lord" we cry,

 God let your kingdom come,

 Your word has let me see,

                                     Thank you for saving me!

©1993 Curious? Music UK – administered in the US and Canada by EMI Christian Music Publishing

The music and lyrics above are copyrighted by the respective artists and are utilized here for educational purposes only and not for profit.

*Cohen, Chaim (2011). "Eden". In Berlin, Adele; Grossman, Maxine. The Oxford Dictionary of the Jewish Religion. Oxford University Press. ISBN 9780199730049.