The Path of Salvation

What is sin and salvation?

Dictionary.com defines salvation as the act of saving or protecting from risk, harm, or destruction. God offers to save all who will accept Him and repent of their sins. He has opened up His arms and offered to protect us. Protect us from what? Protect us from being judged for our sins. If someone breaks the law in your local city and the person is brought to justice, that person must suffer the consequences of breaking the law. Just as there are laws in society, God has given us moral laws, that if broken will result in an eternity in hell.

When we break God’s laws, that is called sin. Where are God’s laws? God’s law is written in the bible. The ten commandments are an example of God’s laws. Exodus 20:1-17 lists all 10.

1. You shall not have other Gods before Me.
2. You shall not make any idols to worship.
3. You shall not take God’s name in vain.
4. Remember the sabbath to keep it holy.
5. Honor your father and mother.
6. You shall not murder
7. You shall not commit adultery.
8. You shall not steal.
9. You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor.
10. You shall not covet what belongs to your neighbor.

When we are exposed to the laws in the bible, we must acknowledge that we have broken the law. Romans 3:20 says that through the law comes the knowledge of sin. I wouldn’t have known I sinned unless I knew what the law was.

When we break God’s law, that is an act of rebellion against Him. But sin goes further than breaking the law. It starts in the heart. In Matthew 5, Jesus reminded the people of the law not to commit murder, and then He said that anyone who is angry with his brother shall be liable. If that person goes even farther by saying, “you fool”, he is guilty to go into the fiery hell. He also reminded them of the command not to commit adultery. And then He stated that if a man looks at a woman to lust for her he has committed adultery in his heart. Jesus made it clear that sin isn’t just found in our actions, but in our heart and thoughts.

Rebellion against God sometimes manifests itself in refusing to acknowledge that He exists.

Romans 1:18-20 says:

“For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in righteousness,because that which is known about God is evident within them; for God made it evident to them. For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature have clearly been seen, being understood through what has been made, so that they are without excuse.”

God’s power and character can be seen in His creation. This passage says that no one has a good excuse to suppress the truth or refuse to acknowledge God because all we have to do is look around at the world, the animals, the plants, the people, the universe, and see that there is a God.

God has given us a conscience, so that we know the difference between right and wrong. We know when we have done something wrong because we feel guilt.

Romans 2:15 says:

“In that they show the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience bearing witness, and their thoughts alternately accusing or else defending them.”

So, the good people go to heaven and the bad people go to hell….right? Wrong.

Everyone has broken the law. Romans 3:23 says that all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. Everyone has broken the law and fallen short. People may do good things, but the good will never out weight the sin that has already been committed in actions and in the heart.

What is the punishment for sinning? Romans 6:23 says that the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Death refers to eternal death in hell. Just as a judge in a court room would be considered corrupt if he let a criminal go free, God is holy and He must punish sin. But He provided a way of escape for us. He demanded a payment for the sin and provided it through Jesus. Romans 5:8 says, “But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.”

Why did Jesus have to die? Couldn’t God have just forgiven sin without the death of Jesus?

Restoration has to be made. If a family member was killed, you would want the murderer to pay for what he or she did. Just as we all understand that it is important to have justice on earth, God won’t allow sin to go unpunished. But He will provide payment on our behalf. The sacrifice of Jesus is the payment.

Romans 5:9,10 says, “Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from the wrath of God through Him, for if while we were yet enemies, we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life.”

How can someone be saved?

Salvation boils down to faith and repentance. Faith is believing that Jesus Christ died for your sins and that He rose again. Repentance is turning away from sin and turning towards God in obedience.

Romans 10:9 says, “If you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead you shall be saved.”

Mark 1:14,15 says, “And after John had been taken into custody, Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of God, and saying, “The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel.”

Is there anyone who is so bad that this doesn’t apply to him or her? No

Romans 10: 13 says, “Whoever will call upon the name of the Lord will be saved.”

Do you believe? If you do, then call upon the name of the Lord. Confess your belief and ask for forgiveness of your sin. Turn away from your sin and begin to obey God.