WHAT IS SALVATION?

The next few blog posts will focus on what it means to be saved. A study of prophecy is meaningless to one who has no hope for the future. It is heavy on my heart that the scripture is clear in declaring that relatively few people will come to possess saving faith.

Matthew 7:13–14 “Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.”

One can’t help but wonder why so few since God has so freely, lovingly and sacrificially provided the gift of salvation for any and all who will accept it.

Ephesians 2:8–9 “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.”

Romans 10:13 “For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.”

There are, of course, many who just refuse to acknowledge that there is a God, a Creator, a Supreme Authority that is sovereign over the universe as we know it. Scripture also tells us that these people are not being honest with themselves. The Lord has planted the seed of truth in the being of every person.

Romans 1:19–21 “Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them. For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse: Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened.”

In context with the passage in Matthew 7, however, we know that false teachers are responsible for leading many into deception. It seems that a principal common factor in such teachings is an emphasis on “works.”

Matthew 7:21–23 “Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.”

I think this is such a popular tactic of the enemy for many reasons. It takes advantage of man’s independent spirit and his desire to owe no one anything. It thrives in cultures that position man as a lowly creation that must earn the privilege to attain the highest level. It feeds off the sinner’s guilt and his/her desire to atone for their own sin. It sidesteps yielding to the authority of God; we want to think that we are in control.

As noted in the previous series of blogs, Satan loves to deceive using partial truths. It is true that works and salvation go hand-in-hand; works evidence one’s salvation, but they do not provide salvation. My purpose is to take a look at what the scripture says about salvation so that you can be assured of your eternal future and equipped to identify false teaching.

It is not my intention to consider every verse in scripture regarding salvation. I will focus on those that, in my opinion, are effective in identifying false teaching. Again, I am writing from the heart with no specific outline in place, so please bear with me as I prayerfully seek to present the truth clearly.