Salvation means wholeness. When a person is saved, they are delivered and preserved from destruction. No human can save themselves or others from the state of death, destruction, or the evil surrounding us. Even an exceptional “do-gooder” cannot create a new heart or a perfect, sinless nature worthy of eternal life in the presence of a Holy God.
Since we cannot save ourselves, salvation is a free gift from God to those who believe in Jesus Christ.
Scripture states:
John 3:16 – "For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life."
The Fall of Adam & Eve
In the beginning, Adam and Eve turned against God, causing a tragic transformation in their lives that was passed down through generations. They, along with all of creation, passed from life to death due to their disobedience.
The sin they committed in the Garden of Eden was seeking the knowledge of good and evil—to be like God. The source of this temptation was the devil (Lucifer, Satan), a fallen angel of God.
God’s command:
Genesis 3:3 – "But of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, God hath said, Ye shall not eat of it, neither shall ye touch it, lest ye die."
Satan’s deception:
Genesis 3:4-5 – "And the serpent said unto the woman, Ye shall not surely die: For God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil."
As soon as they disobeyed, sin entered humanity, corrupting their spiritual and physical nature. Their perfect fellowship with God was broken, and death—both spiritual and physical—became a reality for all humankind.
Through this act, Adam and Eve handed over their God-given dominion of the world to Satan:
2 Corinthians 4:4 – "In whom the god (devil) of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them."
God’s Promise of Redemption
Despite humanity’s fall, God promised to send a Redeemer to restore what was lost.
Genesis 3:14-15 – "And the LORD God said unto the serpent... I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel."
God sent His Son, Jesus Christ, to take the penalty of sin by shedding His innocent blood on the cross—the righteous for the unrighteous—to bring us back into fellowship with God and grant us eternal life.
When we ask Jesus for salvation, He gives us a new nature, His Holy Spirit, and seals us until the day of complete redemption.
Romans 8:11 – "But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you."
What Does Redemption Mean?
Redemption means we were rescued or bought back with a price—the blood of Christ. He paid for our sins so we can be reconciled with God.
Receiving God’s Holy Spirit is what it means to be born again:
John 3:5-7 – "Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water [natural birth] and of the Spirit [spiritual rebirth], he cannot enter into the kingdom of God."
How Do We Receive Salvation?
Salvation is only found in Jesus Christ. He is God’s perfect sacrifice, who took the penalty of our sin, was crucified, and rose again.
To be saved, we must:
- Believe in the gospel message of Christ (Romans 10:9).
- Acknowledge our need for salvation (repentance)—a change of mind from our old ways to God’s way.
- Call upon the name of Jesus Christ in faith.
Romans 10:9 – "That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved."
Salvation is by grace alone, through faith—not by works:
Ephesians 2:8 – "For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God."
Key Scriptures on Salvation
- John 3:3 – "Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God."
- John 10:9 – "I am the door; by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved."
- Acts 2:21 – "Whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved."
- 1 Corinthians 15:22 – "For as in Adam all die, so also in Christ shall all be made alive."
- Ephesians 1:13 – "After that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise."
A Simple Prayer of Faith for Salvation
If you desire to receive salvation, you can pray this simple prayer in faith:
"God, I believe that You sent Your Son, Jesus Christ, to die on the cross for all humanity and to redeem the world from sin. Lord Jesus, save me and give me the Holy Spirit with Your promise of eternal life. God, You are now my Heavenly Father, and I ask You to continue leading me into all of Your truth. Thank You, Father—I am now saved according to Your Word, and I trust in Your faithfulness. In Jesus' name, Amen."
Conclusion
At the moment a person accepts Christ, they are completely justified before God, as if they never sinned. They are born again into a new spiritual life and sealed with the Holy Spirit.
To grow in faith, a great place to start is by reading the Gospel of John, which explains Jesus' identity, mission, and love for the world.
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