Salvation

In a world that we lived in, there are many religions that exist. If we try to evaluate each of these religion, two distinctive categories will be distinguished. Either they were those who works to be saved, or they were saved and bears fruit. Let me ask ourselves this question. Are we working to be saved or are we in the latter part?

Before we answer the question, let's go to the Word of God – the Bible, and what does God says about our salvation. Ephesians 2:8-9 “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast.” Note, it says not of selves or works but it is the gift of God – that a man may not boast. It does mean that we can't earn salvation because it is a free gift from God. Suppose, there will be a competition to jump to the heavens and if someone could touch the sky then he will be in heaven. No one can do that, because we are limited to some extent. Allegorically, we can do all good works, and tries to obey the law but unfortunately these will not lead us to salvation. Why? “Know that a man is not justified by observing the law, but by faith in Jesus Christ. So we, too, have put our faith in Christ Jesus that we may be justified by faith in Christ and not by observing the law, because by observing the law no one will be justified (Galatians 2:16).” God demands us to be holy and perfect. And unfortunately, we are not.

Romans 10:9 - “That if you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.” Salvation is simply believed and be saved. Though this principle is very simple, still it is very confusing. People still tries to do their best to be saved while others who already knew how to be saved abuses this principle. In the preceding verses of Ephesians 2: 8 – 9 that says it is by grace through faith we are saved comes “For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them (Ephesians 2:10).” Salvation is not from ours, it is the gift of God. If we believed in God and still continue in sin, we must to doubt our salvation. Because even Satan believes in God (James 2:19).

I remember the love story of my friend who confesses that she once betrayed his boyfriend. She got another boyfriend though she already got one. But when her boyfriend knew what she have done. This guy still accepts her and loves her more. Because of this, she realized how stupid she was. The badness she uses to show was exchanged not by angered but loved. So she confesses to him and repent not to do it again. Today, there relationship goes stronger and the girl learned that her boyfriend truly loves her and in return she also loved him back.

Friends, the death of Jesus Christ who is the King of kings and the Lord of lords dies on the cross for our sins and our salvation. Have faith in Him and put all your trust to Him alone. Our salvation is priceless it costs the very life of God. If we put our faith and trust to Him and repent and surrender our we will be saved. And the evidence that we are saved is a changed life.

Galatians 5 : 22 – 26

“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. Against such things there is no law.

Those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the sinful nature with its passions and desires. Since we live by the Spirit, let us keep in step with the Spirit. Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying each other.”