Things That Save Us
Listed for your consideration, in no particular order, are some of the things to which the Bible attributes our salvation.
The grace of God. “But we believe that we are saved through the grace of the Lord Jesus, in the same way as they also are” (Acts 15:11). “…that being justified by His grace we might be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life” (Titus 3:7).
The blood of Jesus. “Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from the wrath of God through Him” (Romans 5:9).
The gospel. “For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek” (Romans 1:16). “Therefore putting aside all filthiness and all that remains of wickedness, in humility receive the word implanted, which is able to save your souls” (James 1:21).
Belief. “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you shall be saved, you and your household” (Acts 16:31).
Faith. “For by grace you have been saved through faith” (Ephesians 2:8).
Repentance. “Repent therefore and return, that your sins may be wiped away, in order that times of refreshing may come from the presence of the Lord” (Acts 3:19).
Confession. “…that if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you shall be saved” (Romans 10:9).
Obedience. “And having been made perfect, He became to all those who obey Him the source of eternal salvation” (Hebrews 5:9).
Baptism. “And corresponding to that, baptism now saves you—not the removal of dirt from the flesh, but an appeal to God for a good conscience—through the resurrection of Jesus Christ” (1 Peter 3:21)
Hope. “For in hope we have been saved, but hope that is seen is not hope; for why does one also hope for what he sees?” (Romans 8:24).
Works. “What use is it, my brethren, if a man says he has faith, but he has no works? Can that faith save him?…You see that a man is justified by works, and not by faith alone” (James 2:14,24).
Endurance. “And you will be hated by all on account of My name, but it is the one who has endured to the end who will be saved” (Matthew 10:22).
Observations
Harmony. None of these things are mutually exclusive; they all go together. Obedience doesn’t nullify grace. Faith doesn’t exclude works.
Essentiality. The items on this list are not assigned degrees of importance. It’s a grave mistake to emphasize one while dismissing another. If God says that a thing plays a part in our salvation, then that makes it indispensable. Christ’s blood does not save one who disbelieves. Baptism is not a substitute for repentance. Works cannot save apart from the gospel.
Provision. Some of these things (like grace, Jesus’ blood, or the gospel) are provisions on God’s part. Since man’s sin against God is the whole problem, it follows that only God can open the way to reconciliation.
Responsibility. Other things on the list are man’s response to God’s offer of pardon. They cannot make us deserving of redemption, but they are the conditions on which God says it is obtained. They should impress on us both our responsibility toward our Creator and our dependence on Him.
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