How Is One Saved In Christianity
It is a central tenet of Christianity that salvation is available to all through belief in Jesus Christ. Christian scriptures tell us that Jesus is the son of God and that through Him we can be reconciled to the Father. The Bible states that “Whoever believes in the son has eternal life, but whoever rejects the son will not see life, but the wrath of God remains on them” (John 3:36). Accordingly, salvation is only possible through faith in Jesus as one’s personal Lord and Saviour.
But what does this mean in practice and how does one become a Christian? According to the Bible, salvation is obtained when a person turns from their sin and acknowledges God’s will for their life. This involves confessing their sin and accepting Jesus as Lord and Saviour. This process of turning around is sometimes referred to as being ‘born again’ by some denominations, although not all believers accept this terminology. It is important to note that salvation does not depend on personal merit or on performing good deeds, but instead, it is a free gift from God.
Expert theologians such as St Augustine and St Thomas Aquinas have created complex theological systems to explain the nature of salvation. For Augustine, it was all about the grace of God, and he proposed the `doctrine of predestination’. According to this doctrine, God chooses certain individuals to receive salvation even before they believe in Him; this idea is known as ‘prevenient grace’. Aquinas followed a slightly different line, believing in `free will’. He thought individuals could choose to accept God’s grace or reject it.
John Calvin of the Protestant Reformed Church of the 16th century, popularized the idea of predestination, while Martin Luther, who was also a key figure in the Protestant Reformation, had a different view on the matter. Luther believed that faith and not works was the sole criterion for salvation. He claimed that, as long as a person had faith, they would be saved, regardless of their past sins. This is known as ‘justification by faith’ and forms the basis of Protestant Christianity.
In today’s modern world, it is important to try and understand the complexities of Christian belief in order to truly understand how one is saved. There are different theological perspectives, but ultimately, the Bible can be seen as a source of hope and assurance in the face of death and uncertainty. No-one can explain all the intricacies of salvation, but it is possible to grasp the general concept that salvation is only possible through faith in Jesus Christ and confession of our sins.
Hardships of Being Saved
Being a Christian is difficult. Although the Bible teaches that salvation is only available through faith in Jesus, it also stresses that a believer needs to live according to God’s standards; this includes being obedient to His commands and understanding His will. As such, choosing to follow Jesus can be taxing and full of suffering. In fact, in the Gospel of Mark, Jesus tells us that “anyone who wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me.”
Living a christian life involves hard work and dedication. It requires an understanding of Jesus’ teachings, a commitment to prayer and Bible study, and a willingness to make sacrifices for the sake of the Kingdom. These sacrifices could be anything from abstaining from certain pleasures and behaviors, donating money to missionary work, or dedicating time to outreach activities. In short, salvation is not a one-time event but rather a lifelong journey of growth and change.
Moreover, being a Christian can be challenging in different environments. For example, in countries with a majority of non-believers, it can be difficult to keep one’s faith, as it is easier to succumb to pressure from society or succumb to the temptations of the world. Similarly, in some areas of the world it can be dangerous to be a Christian, and many believers have been persecuted for their faith.
The cost of salvation can be high, but it is a price many are willing to pay. As Jesus himself said in Matthew 16:25: “For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will find it.”
Rejection of Salvation
It is possible to reject salvation and thus, reject God’s love and forgiveness. The Bible warns us against this and it is clear that this will have consequences. According to scripture, those who refuse to repent and accept God’s offer of salvation will be judged by Him. This means that, at the end of their lives, they will face an eternity of separation from God in hell.
This does not mean that God does not love them. In fact, He loves them so much that He is willing to go to great lengths to bring them to salvation. Nonetheless, a person must choose to accept or reject it. As Paul the Apostle wrote in Romans 1:20: “For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that people are without excuse.”
Therefore, every person should make their own informed decision about salvation. It is impossible to force someone to accept God’s gift of salvation and it is not something that can be taken lightly. It should be taken seriously, with a clear understanding of the consequences of rejecting it.
Works and Salvation
A frequent topic of debate amongst theologians is whether good works can contribute to one’s salvation. This has long been a controversial subject, as some believe that salvation is only obtained through faith, while others believe that good works are necessary if one wishes to secure their place in heaven.
Despite the disagreements, most would agree that good works are in fact a necessary step in order to progress in one’s spiritual journey. Even though salvation is quickly achieved through faith, good works are still important to demonstrate our commitment to God and as an expression of our gratitude. The Bible reminds us that “we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do” (Ephesians 2:10).
Moreover, good works are important for the benefit of the community. Through actions such as volunteering and helping others, we can bring the light of God’s love to a dark and broken world. As Christians, we can contribute to a more just and equitable society, and thus, make a real difference.
The Assurance of Salvation
Despite the long and winding road to salvation, it is a source of great comfort to know we are secure in the knowledge that salvation is available to those who believe in Jesus. The Bible reminds us to “put your hope in the Lord, for with the Lord is unfailing love and with him is full redemption” (Psalm 130:7).
Those who have accepted Jesus as Saviour can be assured of their place in heaven, as Jesus has promised to be with them and lead them back to the Father. As scripture tells us “Come now, let us settle the matter,” says the Lord. “Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool” (Isaiah 1:18).
Salvation is a beautiful gift, offering the opportunity for a restored and deeper relationship with the Father. God offers this gift freely and it is up to us to accept and walk the path of salvation, no matter how uncomfortable it might feel.
Consequences of Salvation
When we accept God’s gift of salvation, it is not only an individual event but also a communal event. As evidenced in the Bible, when we accept God’s grace and love, it has a ripple effect. Our family, friends, and even our enemies can all benefit from our faith, as they are exposed to God’s love and may even come to accept Him too.
Moreover, accepting salvation leads to a transformation in our lives. When we accept Jesus as our Lord and Saviour, our perspectives, values, and priorities radically change. We now focus more on pleasing God, loving our neighbor, and living according to His will. These transformations can be difficult to adjust to but they are necessary if we are to grow spiritually.
Finally, when one receives God’s gift of salvation, they are expected to take it seriously. There is no room for complacency; we need to remain vigilant, as even after we have been saved, our lives can still be influenced by sin and temptation. God calls us to continue to strive for holiness, humility, and obedience if we want to stay in His good graces.
Advocating for Others Salvation
The Bible encourages us to share the good news of salvation with others, so that they too may experience the beauty of redemption. Jesus gave us the example of sharing God’s love and teaching others to follow Him. As He said in the book of Matthew, “Go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit” (Matthew 28:19).
Advocating for others salvation can sometimes be difficult and may cause us to feel uncomfortable. We may not always know how to approach the subject and we may fear that we are not properly equipped to lead someone to faith. Nonetheless, it is important to remember that our job is simply to be an ambassador for the Lord, making sure to share the good news and the love of Jesus to all we meet.
As such, it is essential to always be prepared. We should read the Bible diligently, understand the key teachings of Christianity, and acquire knowledge that can help us as we share the gospel to others. Paul the Apostle encourages us to “always be prepared to give an answer when asked to give the reason for the hope that we have in Christ” (1 Peter 3:15).
Growing in Salvation
Once we have accepted Jesus as our Saviour, it is important to continue to foster the first love we felt for Him. Our walk with Jesus should not be stagnant and it is important to ensure that we keep our faith fresh and alive. This is where prayer, fellowship, and study come in. Praying to God allows us to open our hearts to Him, fellowship helps us to join in community with like-minded believers, and Bible study gives us an in-depth understanding of the scriptures.
Practicing these habits gives us the opportunity to deepen our relationship with God and to increase our knowledge and understanding of Him. Ultimately, as our relationship with God grows stronger, so too does our faith and our desire to walk in His will. This is when we start to notice the blessings that come with being a child of God and the true joy of being saved.
