Defining the term “Salvation”

As Christians we believe we are “Saved”. We believe that through Christ, we have received Salvation. But do we really understand what Salvation is? What are we saved from? Is the “Salvation” we receive, permanent? Are “Christians”, as some state, “once saved, always saved”?

Defining Salvation and understanding this key concept in Christianity is important in understanding our Creator, God Almighty, as well as His Word.

We are born to this world and continue in the path of Adam, as sinful beings and are under the control of Sin from our youth. “Sin” is breaking or not obeying God’s Commandments / Laws (1John 3:4). Everyone who sins, comes under the curse of God’s Law(Deut 11:26-28), which is Death (James 1:15).

Contrary to popular belief, God’s Law is not the curse. The curse came upon all who broke God’s Law, which includes every soul on earth. This is the curse of the Law that Christ took upon himself (Gal 3:13). He saved us from the Penalty of breaking God’s Law. He saved us from the Penalty of Sin, which is Death.

The name in which our Messiah was addressed as, on earth was “Yeshua”.  He was a Hebrew, born amongst Hebrews, who spoke Hebrew. His name was “Yeshua” which means “Salvation” in Hebrew. And this name was given to Him, as His mission was to save people from “Sin” (Mat 1:21).

A “Christian” is someone who emulates “Christ”. A true “Christian” cannot be a “Sinner”(one who dwells in Sin). We have all been “Sinners”. But we have all left our old selves behind when we accepted Yeshua as our Messiah. We cannot be partakers of Sin anymore.

Does this mean we cannot Sin after starting our walk with God? Certainly not. We will fall short one time or the other. Some will sin more than others. And that is why we have His Grace. Grace is a free gift given to us, not so that we can keep on living our own lives the way we see fit, but so we can obey Him and not be cursed with death when we fall short (Rom 6:15,16). It is not a free pass to “sin”(Sin is breaking God’s Law).

A true Christian cannot be constantly and willfully sinning. Such a person is taking the blood sacrifice made by Yeshua lightly (Heb 10:26-31).

So what then of Salvation? A person who accepts God and receives Salvation from Death, can also as easily let go of it by going back to their old ways (Heb 6:4-6, 2Pet 2:20-22). Some say or think that they do not “Sin”, as “Sin” in their mind is not what the Scripture defines it to be. The Scriptures are clear. “Sin” is breaking or not obeying God’s Commandments / Laws (1John 3:4).

The doctrine of “Once saved, always saved” is baseless when using Scripture in proper context. Telling people “come as you are, God will accept you” is not entirely correct. God does give every sinner a chance to become a child of His. But the sinner needs to change his or her ways. They cannot come to God and still dwell in their earlier sinful life. In other words, you can come to God as you are. But you must change your ways, after you come to Him. If a sinner comes to “Salvation” and then returns to the earlier sinful life, how can that person be “Saved”? Salvation is part of a Righteous Life, just as Death is part of a Sinful Life (Rom 6:1,2).

We have learned that Sin leads to death. So what leads to life? It is God’s Word that leads to Life Everlasting (John 5:24, 14:23,24). God has called us to live righteous lives (1John 3:6-10). Righteousness is the opposite of Sin, which means Righteousness = Keeping God’s Law, as Sin = Breaking God’s Law (1John 3:4).

At the end of time, at the judgement seat of God, each of us will have to stand and give account to what we have said and done. All of us will be judged according to our works (Rev 20:11,12). Not according to our Faith. The Righteous judge, will decide whether each of us are worthy of Life or Death. Our Salvation will be completed only on that day, when we enter His Kingdom. Until that day, let us strive to obey God to our best ability with the Grace we receive through Yeshua.