[Article written by Matt Nevins. Originally published in his email newsletter “The Lamp.”]
The topic of salvation is one of the greatest lessons one can learn and teach. We need to learn concerning the status of our souls, what might be done to change that status, and the destination of our souls for eternity. This is a serious subject and not to be taken lightly. Surveying what the Scriptures teach on the subject of sin and salvation will be a good start to understand where we stand and where we ought to be standing.
All have sinned
There is certainly at least one characteristic that is shared by all who are alive today, and that is sin. The apostle Paul plainly wrote to the Romans, “all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God” (Rom. 3:23). Man sins on his own terms, and of his own freewill (Jms. 1:14-15). The poor choice that is made to sin, is a choice that causes the separation of man from God (Is. 59:2). Therefore every individual has been separated from God and has a need for reconciliation.
Sin leads to death
The end result of sin is death, “For the wages of sin is death” (Rom. 6:23). Death is simply identifying a separation; whether it is a separation of body and spirit or of man and God (Gen. 5:5, 3:3). Sin leads to an eternal separation from God if nothing is done to remove sin. In Luke 16:19-31, Jesus teaches by a parable what is beyond this life in eternity. The two characters in contrast are Lazarus and a rich man. Lazarus resided with Abraham in Paradise while the rich man resided in hell when each man died (vv. 23-25). Lazarus received comfort while the rich man was in agony. This caused the rich man to plead to Abraham for comfort, that Lazarus would simply dip his finger in some water. However, residency in eternity will be permanent due to the gulf that is fixed between these two places that prevents anyone leaving one place to go to the other (vs. 26). In the end, we are responsible for our eternal residence.
Sacrifice for remission of sin
The purpose for the life of Jesus on this earth was to save sinners (1 Tim. 1:15). Because all have sinned (Rom. 3:23), all are in need of salvation. With sin being present in man’s life, purification is needed to mend the relationship that was severed between man and God. Therefore, God has provided a sacrifice that is able to save man from his sins. Jesus said in John 3:12-21 that just as Moses rose up a serpent for those who were being bitten and perishing by fiery serpents upon instruction from God, He would also be raised up in like manner for those perishing of sin in accordance with God’s design. Jesus who was without sin (Heb. 4:15) was able to offer Himself as a perfect sacrifice for the purpose of removing sin (Heb 9:11-14). The sacrifice has been made, but one must enter into God’s covenant to have the benefits and blessings found in Christ.
Receiving the remission of sin
Paul began the book of Ephesians with thanksgiving to God for choosing to have a chosen group of people to be blameless and holy before Him (Eph. 1:3-4). We have already noted that sin separates us from God, making a need for purification which is provided through Christ (2 Cor. 5:18-19). God provided for the sacrifice, but we must enter into God’s covenant to have reconciliation. Paul said to a servant of God is one who is freed from sin (Rom. 6:22). The question is how are we able to be freed from sin? The answer is through baptism. Baptism unifies a person with Christ in order to crucify our old self, bury him, and arise to walk in newness of life (Rom. 6:3-5). The end result is freedom from sin (Rom. 6:7). Baptism is when we are able to have the remission of sin, washing it away (Acts 2:38, 22:16). If we choose not to be baptized, we are still in sin and separated from God.
The salvation of our souls is a very important topic to discuss and understand. Sin will only lead to eternal condemnation (Rom. 6:23). However God has extended His grace and mercy toward us in making a means to have salvation (Tit. 3:4-7). We must recognize what we have done, and desire to make a change. Salvation is only through Christ (Acts 4:12); therefore we must believe Christ (Jn. 8:24), repent of our sins (Luke 13:5), confess Jesus as Lord (Rom. 10:9-10), and be baptized for salvation (1 Pet. 3:21). What God asks for each individual is not difficult. God does not wish for any to perish, but will repay according to our deeds (2 Thss. 1:9-12). Will you obey the Creator and Lord of our souls?
