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Salvation Begins w/the Word of God
By Lloyd W. Cary
What’s Salvation?
We hear much talk about “salvation.” But what is salvation? How do we obtain it? The word salvation comes from the Greek word “soteria” [pronounced so-tay-ree’-ah] and simply means “to salvage” or save, whether from bondage, danger, or death. But usually, when we use the word salvation we are referring to being saved from our sins (Acts 4:12). What Are We Saved From? We read in Romans 6:23 that “the wages of sin”—the thing we earn from breaking God’s law—“is death” because “there is none righteous, no, not one” (Romans 3:10). Sin is—and here is the Bible definition!—the transgression, or the breaking, of God’s law, the Ten Commandments (1 John 3:4). “Salvation” is the process of saving us from the death penalty of sin. Jesus stepped in and “took the hit” for us—that is, He paid the death penalty in our place, in our stead. How could He do this? Since He is the Creator of the worlds (Hebrews 1:2) and of all mankind itself, His one great life was worth far more than all the lives of all men put together. “Grace” simply means “undeserved” pardon. We cannot “earn” salvation, but there are requirements for obtaining it. When we come to realize what Jesus has done for us and accept His selfless sacrifice in our stead and repent—give up our sins—and are baptized, then Jesus’ sacrifice is applied to us and we are forgiven of our sins. At Christ’s Second Coming we will be changed or born into His Kingdom. This is salvation. Salvation w/o God’s Word | |
Salvation cannot be obtained without God’s Word, the Bible. Salvation begins with the Word of God! It tells us Who and What God is and what we need to DO. There is NO book in the universe that can compare to the power God’s Word. You CANNOT neglect your Bible and stay in fellowship with the Lord. The Bible means everything to the serious-minded Believer.
Many scoff because they are scared of the Bible. The Bible frightens many people because it demands an answer and correct choices. |
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“For the WORD OF GOD is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart” (Hebrews 4:12). Apart from God’s Holy Word, we would have only the thoughts and opinions of fallible men and their traditions. We learn from various Scriptures the Bible is more than just a book. God’s Word is alive! It is alive because Christ is alive. The Bible is the very mind of Jesus Christ in print! The Bible is the Gospel “seed” that can grow into a new spiritual life. This happens by the power of God’s Holy Spirit, which God gives us at Baptism (Acts 2:38). Whether or not the seed lives or dies in you is dependent upon you. But I Don’t Believe The Bible When a person tells me they don’t believe the Bible is God’s Word, I realize that our conversation is nearly over because we have nothing in common in that area. We are thinking on two different wave lengths. To search for salvation apart from God’s Word is futile. That’s like telling a doctor you want to be healed without medicine or telling a mechanic to fix your car without tools. You CANNOT love God and reject the Bible. In 2 Timothy 3:16 we are told, “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness.” You simply cannot be saved without believing the Bible is God’s inspired Holy Word. If you reject God’s Word, you are rejecting the God who gave it. There are many people who call themselves Christians but their faith is NOT based upon the Word of God. Their faith may be based upon custom, ideas of men, or a false religion. Your faith MUST be based upon the Word of God and the truths it teaches concerning Christ and salvation. If a man or woman will NOT accept the written Word, neither will he accept Jesus the living Word! Inseparable While it is good for us to get into the Word, it is MUCH BETTER to get the Word into us! Other books are given for our information, but the Bible is given for our transformation. As we read, pray and study the Word of God, the Spirit of Christ will reveal to us the true meaning of His Word. Our salvation and the Word of God are inseparable. Do you accept the Bible as God’s Word? You must examine and read the Bible and make this decision for yourself. That is your responsibility. No one else can do it for you. Sincerely pray and ask God to open your understanding. Let God’s Holy Word speak to your heart and mind. Go to your Bible regularly, open it prayerfully, read it expectantly, live it joyfully. We strongly recommend that you send for our free booklet “How To Study Your Bible” to get you started. | |