Salvation

Grace

Next, let us move on to grace. Another problem with people’s logic about salvation is that they think that we have free will. I will discuss predestination in detail another time, but for now I will just focus on how it relates to salvation. If we think there is free will, then that means we have a free choice to be saved and follow God. However, the problem with that theory is it puts a cap or limit on God’s power. God already knows if you are going to follow Him before you decide to do it. People think that choosing God is like voting for a leader in government. If fact, it the complete opposite. God is already the leader, you just don’t realize it. Salvation is admitting that God has been the leader for all eternity.

Ephesians 2:8-9 – for by grace ye are having been saved, through faith, and this not of you – of God the gift, not of works, that no one may boast; (YLT)

Titus 3:5 – (not by works that [are] in righteousness that we did but according to His kindness,) He did save us, through a bathing of regeneration, and a renewing of the Holy Spirit, (YLT)

These verses talk about the grace of God. It is by God’s grace and kindness that He makes salivation available to us. Salvation is not a free choice, but a submission of the truth.

Faith

Faith is the believe in something that does not rest on logical proof or material evidence. Despite all the logic and evidence I have given so far, you still must have some faith in God and His gift of salvation. Take a look at these verses:

Galations 3:24 – so that the law became our child-conductor – to Christ, that be faith we may be declared righteous, (YLT)

Acts 16:30-31 – and having brought them forth, said, ‘Sirs, what must I do – that I may be saved?’ and they said, ‘Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved – thou and thy house;’ (YLT)

Romans 3:26-28 – for the shewing forth of His righteousness in the present time, for His being righteous, and declaring him righteous who [is] of the faith of Jesus. Where then [is] the boasting? it was excluded; by what law? of works? no, but by a law of faith: therefore do we reckon a man to be declared righteous by faith, apart from works of law. (YLT)

Romans 10:9-10 – that if thou mayest confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and mayest believe in thy heart that God did raise him out of the dead, thou shalt be saved, for with the heart doth [one] believe to righteousness, and with the mouth is confession made to salvation (YLT)

Simply put, these verses state that if we have faith that Jesus Christ is God, creator and ruler of all things, we will be saved from the lake of fire. This means that you love God, and have the INTENTION of obeying God 100% of the time. Intention is different from actually accomplishing this. God knows that you are sinful, and that you will continue to disobey him, but it is the INTENTION that God wants. I know this is a hard concept for people to understand, so let me use a few analogies.

For example, if someone has an addiction (drugs, alcohol, etc.), the first step to recovery is ADMITING that he or she has a problem. It is the same way with God. If you admit you are sinful and there is a problem, God can then step in to help you become less sinful and help you with your problem. Removing sin and becoming a better person is a big part of salvation.

Another example is marriage. When two people get married, they are making a commitment with the INTENTION of loving each other 100%. We all know that no marriage is perfect, because we are sinful, but that doesn’t mean we should avoid getting married. Both parties in the marriage want to get married because they have FAITH that the other person loves them. Again, this is the same way with God. To be saved, we must have faith that God loves us, and in return we love Him. The Bible even compares Christ to a bridegroom and his people to the bride:

Revelation 19:7 - Let us rejoice and be glad and give him glory! For the wedding of the Lamb has come, and his bride has made herself ready. (NIV)

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