Simple Salvation Message

In discussing how a person must be saved, some say there is no God, no life after death, and all belief systems are nonsense. However, God says that He has written eternity in the hearts of humanity. Because of that, everyone knows there is more to it than this life. He says we also know in our hearts that He will judge our lives.

Others give various answers. The most common is, “To get to heaven, I must be a good person.” If pressed, most of those who say this will define “good” by the things they don’t do rather than the good they do. A few might claim church attendance, or giving to charity. Some say that they are kind to others.

One person recently told me she was saved because she believed what her religious organization told her. The main part is the idea that Jesus was a created being who died that she might be able to “exercise” faith. The explanation of exercising faith is that Jesus died so she could do all the right things to gain eternal life. Those who believe this way are continually unsure that they have done enough good to make the grade. All in all, most people fear death and do not want to talk about it.

The Bible has much to say about these and other belief systems. It says enough about doing good to eliminate anyone who says it doesn’t matter how we live. However, God’s Word says more about the way of salvation being by grace not doing good deeds. 

For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. (Ephesians 2:8–9)

It looks like these verses contradict the idea of doing good. However, they do not. The gift of eternal life is just that — a gift, offered freely by God who paid the penalty for sin. All condemnation was put on Him. Those who believe this have eternal life — and this life actually answers the questions about doing good. This life is powerful and it changes the lifestyle of those who have it.

Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned. And these signs will accompany those who believe. . . . (Mark 16:16–17)

Mark agrees with Paul and James and other New Testament writers. He says that whoever believes is marked by something new that goes along with their faith. He calls it signs. John calls it the love of God. Paul calls it obedience that comes from Jesus who lives in our hearts. James calls the accompanying sign “good works” — not works to earn salvation but to prove that we have it.

Doing good saves no one. In the eyes of the world, and by how humanity measures goodness, there are many good people. However, God measures goodness by Jesus Christ, the only sinless one. To be good in the eyes of God, we must be sinless. Who can claim that? No honest person. Instead, we need His goodness, not our own.

And because of (what God has done) you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, righteousness and sanctification and redemption. . . . (1 Corinthians 1:30)

Note carefully that the goodness that God wants from us is found in His Son. When His Son lives in us, then we have that goodness. This is not our own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.

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God, Your plan of salvation is utterly amazing. No one could or would make this up. It condemns sin, yet saves sinners. We have no merit, but in Jesus Christ we are saints. You designed a way for people to be saved yet no one can say, “Look what I did.”

I am blessed as You remind me again that my salvation is all grounded in what You do, not what I do. You might use me like a hand inside a glove, but it is You that moves and lives and gives my life meaning, purpose and the ability to do Your will. Thank You again for saving me.