Most likely you have ever heard of this, “You sited there, God is talking to you, calling you and deep down your heart you know this is not the way you live your life.” Well, aren’t we all suspects of that? especially when they hit you with “when the trumpet sounds and Jesus comes today, where will your name be recorded in the Book of Life.” Chills I tell you – back when I was pretty young – and with no choice – maybe you chose the safe place – march to the front, recite the Salvation prayer and imagine an angel or rather your name magically disappearing from the Book of Death unto the Book of Life. Did You ever promise yourself not to do any bad deed? I did, never to tell lies in my life ever again, guess what? Absolutely, still lied apparently in high school to get out of tough situations, can not imagine my self being punished.

The Foundational Christian Doctrine, Salvation

“You are now saved” Isn’t it wonderful to hear those words especially coming from a Priest, Bishop, Preacher or Pastor. Salvation is “soteria,” derived from “sotar,” meaning savior. The more common meaning is to be saved by God from the consequences of our sin. Apparently the one which hits our head is being saved from going to hell, a more fruitful future ahead of us.

Did you know, salvation encompasses deliverance, safety, preservation, soundness, restoration, and healing. From these multiple aspects we clearly start to see the comprehensive work of God. If on that day you truly accepted Jesus Christ as your Lord of Savior, here are some core concepts you probably didn’t realize then:

1. Redemption: Being bought back from sin’s slavery. Christ’s blood is the “currency” of this purchase, restoring humanity’s original position in God’s presence.
2. Justification: Legal act of God that forgives sins and declares a person righteous in God’s eyes
3. Sanctification: The process of becoming more like Jesus Christ, and is a journey of personal effort, commitment, and sacrifice. Sanctification involves transforming one’s natural thoughts, emotions, and desires to be more like God.
4. Glorification: The completion, the consummation, the perfection, and the full realization of salvation.
5. Forgiveness: Dealing with the consequences of sin. God casts sins into the “sea of forgetfulness.”
6. Regeneration: Receiving a new, God-like nature.
7. Faith: The belief that people are saved by grace through faith in Jesus Christ, and not by their own efforts or works
8. Preservation: God’s promise to give eternal life and power to remain in his love ensures that believers are saved forever
9. Repentance: Change of mind and action that involves turning away from sin, having faith in Christ, ceasing to rely on one’s own wisdom but submitting to God’s wisdom.
10. Conviction: Conviction is a moment when the Holy Spirit reveals a person’s sins and leads them to repentance.
11. Propitiation: The act of appeasing God’s wrath through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ on the cross
12. Reconciliation: Restoring the broken relationship between God and humanity caused by sin. God’s holiness cannot coexist with sin.

How Does Salvation Come to Be

Luckily, we both know the Bible has Books in both the Old and New Testaments. We read of how sin came into being in the Book of Genesis when Adam disobeyed God by eating the forbidden fruit. Traditional doctrine of original sin holds that Adam passed his sin and guilt on to his descendants and penalty for sin is death, both physical and spiritual. So does that mean when we were born we automatically had imputed Sin?

In the Old Testament, forgiveness would be dependent on repentance and animal sacrifice by laying their hands on its head, and the animal would die for their sins. The meat was burned in a fire and would not eat the meat nor the priest ate it.

In the New Testament,  God forgives us through the Death of Christ. Jesus becomes the Lamb of God – the Blood of Jesus Christ – where He partakes the sin of man on the cross. God poured His wrath on sin – and not Christ – since He has no dealing with sin, by pouring His Justice on the cross, He diverted His love for man.

The nature of a man not born again is that he is sinful. After salvation man starts experiencing a new nature that is of God. This new nature causes believers to feel remorse or guilty when they sin, as they are acting against their new nature.

Consequences of Sin

The wages of sin is death, we all think of the physical death and yes, the physical death where your soul and spirit leaves the body.

There is also the spiritual death where you are disconnected from God in the spirit and moving in flesh and soul, mostly guarded by reason and emotions. Does this apply to smart persons who we never see their spiritual presence? just being curious.

Eternal Death where one is separated from God permanently. In short you died both physically and spiritually.

The Three Tenses

Past Tense – You were saved

Christ died on the cross and saved us.

Present Tense – You are being saved

Transforming one’s natural thoughts, emotions, and desires to be more like God.

Future Tense – You will be saved

The completion and full realization of salvation. Glorification being the final phase of salvation.

Conclusion

Through Salvation we clearly see God’s love being revealed to us. Let’s not forget God’s grace and holiness (which includes both justice and righteousness). Because God is just, He must judge sin. Because God is love, He provided a way for humanity to be reconciled to Him. Restoration of capacity for fellowship with God. Through the genuine belief in Jesus Christ as Lord, which leads to a consecrated life and the fruit of the Spirit.

You know we can’t fully conclude without the prayer of salvation, Click Here to make the Prayer. Salvation is God’s free gift to humanity, offered through the sacrifice of His Son, Jesus Christ