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Salvation is one of the most interesting subjects in the pages of Holy Scripture. Those who carefully pursue this subject realize that there
are many different salvations taught in the Bible. This fact often causes complications by confusing those who casually consider the subject.
In both the Old and New Testaments, the meaning of salvation is virtually the same and has reference to deliverance and safety. The
definition has to be vague in concept, expressing a general idea that is applicable to many different situations. It will be the objective of
this study to distinguish between the different salvations and to better understand God's work of grace in our lives.
As Moses led the Jews to the shores of the Red Sea, there seemed to be no way of escape. "And Moses said unto the people, Fear ye
not, stand still, and see the salvation of the Lord, which he will shew to you today: for the Egyptians whom ye have seen today, ye shall
see them again no more forever" (Ex. 14:13). It is obvious that they were not about to be caught up into heaven, but the salvation they
experienced was a deliverance from the Egyptians.
In the Book of Psalms David often expressed his concern for those who sought to do him ,harm or take his life. What he needed and
sought was salvation. He prayed, "0 Lord my God, in thee do I put my trust: save me from all them that persecute me, and deliver me..."
(Ps. 7:1). The salvation sought by David was simply to be delivered from his enemies and to be given safety from them.
In the New Testament there are many similar passages. Peter preached that men should save themselves. "And with many other
words did he testify and exhort, saying, Save yourselves from this untoward generation" (Acts 2:40). They could not save themselves
from the penalty of sin, but they could deliver themselves from the fellowship of crooked and perverse people.
As Paul wrote to the younger preacher Timothy, he said, "Take heed to Thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing
this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee" (1 Tim. 4:16).Paul was not saying that Timothy could save himself and others
for heaven but that he could save them from the errors they would otherwise fall into.
There are other similar illustrations that can be given, such as Jonah's being saved from the belly of the whale Jonah 2:9), Israel's
being saved from its enemies (Ex. 14:13), people who were saved by their memories (l Cor. 15:2)and women in childbearing (l Tim. 2:15).
It should be clear that all these instances deal with salvation in life here and now, not in eternity. These "salvations" which have been
listed have nothing to do with eternal life and heaven. They may be gained in a variety of ways but are not to be confused with salvation
by grace. Salvation which comes by grace is far more important than any of those previously mentioned, for it is of eternal duration and
cannot be gained by our efforts. This simple rule will help us in making this distinction: if we can do something in order to gain the salvation
being considered, then it will occur here in this world. The salvation which is eternal and by which mortals are saved from sin's
penalty comes only by the grace of God. Failure to "rightly divide" the Scriptures (2 Tim. 2:15) and to understand this fact has resulted
in the mistaken idea that people are saved to enjoy heaven by a combination of divine actions and human endeavors. Please remember
that the work we perform in the field of this life will be reaped in the same field. We sow here and reap here, but only the grace of God
ensures that sinners will reach heaven.
The concept of salvation by grace embodies the idea that it is free and unmerited. Not realizing this truth, some believe that God gave
His Son to die for sins and that Jesus offers salvation to those who will accept Him and His work in their behalf. Others suppose that
God has certain requirements, such as baptism or belief or being a member of a certain church, and that a person who meets the criteria
will be saved. Such ideas suggest that Jesus died to pay for the sins of people and yet they are unsaved until they do something to secure
salvation. If such beliefs are true, then the actions of sinful mortals achieve what a perfect God could not achieve and the actions of man
become elevated above the actions of God. If man in any measure affects or accomplishes his salvation, it of necessity becomes a salvation
of works, not grace. I testify to you that salvation from sin is not by man's work but by the grace of God. Such salvation is eternal in
duration and is completely the work of God. Paul preached the gospel of the grace of God (Acts 20:24), so consider these Scriptures which
were inspired by God: "...Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own
purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began ..." (2 Tim. 1:9); "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" (Eph. 2:8-9); "Even so then at this present time
also there is a remnant according to the election of grace. And if by grace, then it is no more of works: otherwise grace is no more grace.
But if it be of works, then it is no more of grace: otherwise work is no more work" (Rom. 11:5-6); and "Moreover the law entered, that
the offence might abound. But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound ..." (Rom. 5:20). Peter also trusted in grace saying, "But
we believe that through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ we shall be saved..." (Acts 15:11).It should be clear from these verses and others
that salvation from sin does not come by man's works, deeds, thoughts, or words; it is dependent entirely upon God's work in our behalf.
God is sufficient for the task and His work is complete, therefore He does not need any action by man. God is still eternally saving fallen
and ruined sinners wholly by His sovereign free grace.
Salvation by grace is the only real hope that sinners have. The reason is simply that all have sinned (Rom. 3:23) and the "wages of
sin is death" (Rom. 6:23). When Adam sinned, he died as God said he would (Gen. 2:17). At first he died to the fellowship of God and
was separated from Him; later came physical death. As the descendants of Adam, all humanity fell under this same death sentence. Paul wrote,
"Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned"
(Rom. 5:12). Man is dead (separated) and therefore cannot bring himself into fellowship with God. Those physically dead have no ability
to function in the physical realm, and those spiritually dead have no ability to function in the spiritual realm. Spiritual death means
that people are dead in sins. Paul said, "And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins ... Even when we were dead in
sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved)... " (Eph. 2:1, 5). Because man is dead in sin, he is unable to save
himself, so God quickens him into spiritual life which is salvation by grace. The grass cannot lift itself up to the higher life of the cow,
the cow cannot lift itself up to the higher life of the man, and man cannot lift himself up to the higher life of God. God must reach down
and lift up man and this work of grace brings salvation to the sinner.
Having established that God saved us by grace, let us look at some of the components which make up this gracious state. First Paul tells
us that before the foundation of the world God chose a people to be His special possession (Eph. 1:4). He made that choice so that the
purpose of grace might be established (Rom. 9: 11). Second, God predestinated those whom He chose out of Adam's family to be made
part of His family (Eph. 1:5). The indispensable hub of this wheel is Christ. We were chosen in Jesus, predestinated to be adopted by
Him, and redeemed by the death of Christ on the cross of Calvary (Eph. 1:7). Then in God's good time, the Holy Spirit enters us, the
objects of grace, and we are born again John 3:7). Having been quickened into divine life, we are brought to a saving knowledge of
Jesus Christ. All this is done that it might bring glory to Him (Eph. 1:6), and all the glory belongs rightfully to God.
Having been saved by grace and by grace alone, "...we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God
hath before ordained that we should walk in them" (Eph. 2: 10). The Bible teaches about grace that God might receive the glory due His
name. Let us glorify God through the declaration of these truths and by our "good works" bring further glory to our Saviour. Let us love
this God of grace and live for Him each day. This is the very least we can do for Him who saved us eternally by His amazing grace.
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