What Salvation Means
Our Power of Twelve ladies group
has the word ‘salvation’ (Isaiah 12:2) for the month so this week I have been
asking the Lord to give me some insight into what that word means to the
believer and why salvation is a key part of being a Christ Follower, a
Christian, a believer and why salvation should be on the hearts and minds of
all people on earth.
Merriam Webster defines salvation
as follows:
·
deliverance
from the power and effects of sin
·
the agent or means that effects salvation
·
liberation
from ignorance or illusion
·
preservation
from destruction or failure
·
deliverance
from danger or difficulty
I love that the number one definition of salvation is deliverance from the power and effects of sin! But liberation and preservation are of equal value to mankind.
Through Jesus Christ, the sins of
the world are wiped clean. Jesus said in
Mark 8:35;
“For
whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for
me and for the gospel will save it.”
Throughout the Bible, from Genesis to Revelation, from the time of creation until the end of time, people needed, still need, and will need salvation. Salvation from themselves. Salvation from others. Salvation from earthly life. We need to be saved. We want to be saved. Every single person, at one time or another, during their life on earth, have cried out to be saved by someone or something. Many look for another human being to be their savior only to find that person cannot save them, especially when death is lurking nearby.
The scriptures speak of a “strong tower”, a “refuge”, a “fortress”. These are places where a person can go when they have fear of something or need protection from something or someone. When a tornado, hurricane or horrific storm comes, people seek shelter from the storm in strong, reliable structures that can withstand the power of the storm. People want to live, so people find the strongest place they can find shelter from the storm.
The other definitions of salvation include the words; “deliverance”, “liberation”, “preservation”.What encouraging words to the person living in fear and what a blessing for those who find it! All human beings want to be delivered from hopelessness, anger, hate, and fear. They want to be liberated from oppression, cruelty, lies, and addiction. They want preservation from health issues, envy, jealousy, greed, and death. All people are offered salvation from the sins and grief of this deadly world. Jesus said all we need to do is come to Him. He said to follow Him and His teachings while here on earth, recorded in the word of God.
Jesus
says in Matthew 11:30; “For my yoke is
easy and my burden is light.” We
all know the weight of life and living can be overwhelmingly heavy. Sometimes it is just too much to bear but
Jesus offers to lighten the load by coming along side of us with His Spirit of
peace and love. In Matthew 11:28 He
said, “Come to me, all you who are weary and
burdened, and I will give you rest.” Be sure to notice the word “all”! The invitation to come to Him for his
salvation, His protection, His deliverance, His liberation is for all human
beings. The only action required on our
part is to come to Him, to seek Him, to look for Him and to look at Him.
People
have to admit the need and want to be saved. They have to admit they cannot
find salvation, deliverance, liberation, or protection on their own. All have to admit the messes they have made
for themselves. People have to be
willing to admit the terrible things they have done to others and the hurt and
grief caused by these decisions and actions.
All people have said and done things that have caused tears. All people have put their own selfish desires
before the needs of others who are suffering.
As little children we have to be taught to share, give, and love. Without these positive characteristics we are
just like animals and live a life of kill or be killed. We live a life focused only on ourselves and
what gives us pleasure and could care less about others. We live an empty existence without hope,
peace, or love. We die and become dust.
Human
beings are born with a desire to live and to be protected from the perils of
living on earth. Human beings have a
soul and a spirit even if they do not admit it to themselves. Human beings need a savior. Jesus Christ, God Himself, The Great I AM,
Creator of the Universe, Wonderful Counselor, Prince of Peace, King of Kings,
Lamb of God, came to walk on earth, was killed by the priests and the people
because of His teachings of deliverance, protection, liberation, and salvation. He taught love, peace, generosity, and
selflessness. He sacrificed His body,
His life for everyone. He gave all human
beings salvation from the sins of this world by means of His sacrifice on the
cross. He was pure. He never sinned. He died for you and me so that we could have
salvation from life, ourselves, and others.
He was the sacrifice needed to save the people of this world because
human beings are sinful, selfish creatures.
To ask
for salvation is to ask to be saved.
When is the last time you asked yourself or someone if they are
saved? Saved from what? Saved from themselves? Saved from a miserable life? Saved from cancer or the ravages of
disease? Saved from death?
Biblical
prophecy in Revelation 7:10 tells us that at the end of time for this physical
earth, a great multitude of human beings “from every nation, tribe, people and
language”, will be standing before the throne of God and before the Jesus the Sacrificial Lamb,
and they will cry out; “Salvation belongs to our God, who sits on the throne,
and to the Lamb.”
John 14:6
(NIV)
Jesus
answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father
except through me.”
No fortress on earth will save you
in the end. Jesus is the only way to salvation.
There is no other way. It is always a choice to believe or not that you can
and will be saved after that last breath.
