The first two chapters of Genesis describe the creation of mankind. These chapters reveal that in the beginning God and man enjoyed a harmonious relationship wherein man trusted God and God trusted man. In the 3rd chapter of Genesis we read that mankind listened to the deceptive voice of a serpent and willfully disobeyed God and did something that God said would cause their death. This type of willful disobedience is known throughout scripture as sin. When mankind sinned against God the harmonious relationship they enjoyed with God was broken. Sin and death were now part of the makeup of the human condition. Genesis chapter 6 teaches that the nature of mankind became more and more wicked. Apostle Paul picks up this theme in the 1st chapter of Romans. He teaches us how that because mankind chooses to “suppress the truth by their wickedness” and ignore creation’s revelation of God’s “invisible qualities,” the human condition is becoming increasingly wicked. Selfishness, depravity, immorality and the like are dominant traits of the current human condition. And, without something to pay for mankind’s sin, eternal death and separation from God is mankind’s destination.
It was always the will of God to be in relationship with mankind. After all, God created mankind “in His own image” (Genesis 1:27) for His glory (Isaiah 43:7). So God chose to fulfill His own law and offer a sacrifice for the sins of mankind. But God chose to offer one sacrifice to cover ALL sin – those committed in the past, present and those that will be committed in the future. Romans 3:25-26 informs us that God presented Jesus Christ “as a sacrifice of atonement” or reparation for the sins of man. The shedding of Jesus’ blood, which mankind receives by faith, washes away our sin (Revelations 1:5). By doing this God demonstrates that He is righteous enough to execute His own law but loving enough to provide His own sacrifice. John 3:16 establishes the fact that this was a demonstration of the love of God.
Salvation is the act of being rescued or delivered from sin and restored to relationship with God. It is God’s redemptive work to bring mankind back from the position his sin placed him in. Sin in the life of mankind is first a condition. Without God’s salvation we are separated from fellowship with Him (Isaiah 59:2) and doomed to eternal damnation and separation. Secondly, sin is a practice. It is a constant battle and fight for all humans. As Apostle Paul expressed in Romans 7:14-21, even when we want to do good, sin is present with us, pulling us toward that which is against God. But God’s work of salvation first saves the believer from the penalty and condition of sin. The sacrifice of Jesus paid the penalty of sin. God no longer views the believer as sinful and unrighteous but instead we are seen as righteous through the work of Jesus. Secondly, God’s work of salvation provides the Holy Spirit to take residence in the believer. Through his work in the believer the power of sin is broken. No longer will the believer be powerless to the pull of sin. And finally, God’s work of salvation gives the believer the promise that we will one day be rescued from the very presence of sin and ushered into the eternal presence of our God.
Salvation is a gift – a free gift. In order to receive this free gift of salvation one must first “believe on the Lord Jesus Christ” (Acts 16:31). Believe that Jesus was sacrificed for our sins and that He did rise from the dead. Also, one must confess with the mouth their belief in Jesus. Romans 10:9 teaches that this simple act of faith is all that is required to be saved. But a whole-hearted belief in this truth includes believing that a savior is needed because of one’s sinful state. It also involves a changing of the mind about the sins in one’s life (repentance) wherein the believer turns away from sin and toward God. When this act of faith is done the Holy Spirit enters the heart and begins the work of cleaning up the heart and life (sanctification) and conforming the believer into the likeness of Jesus Christ.