What Every Christian Should Know About Salvation

Christ also, having been offered once to bear the sins of many, will appear a second time for salvation without reference to sin, to those who eagerly await Him.

–Hebrews 9:28

If you’re in the mood to start an argument, especially among men of a certain age, just say, “The best way to get to _____ is by going _____.” You can even state the best route to get to your own house, and someone will have an alternative. They’ll say, “If you go down two blind alleys, take a left at the courthouse, and drive across the golf green, you can save 7.5 seconds.”

We recoil at the idea that there is only one way to get somewhere, yet exclusivity is at the heart of the Christian faith. We’ve been examining the ten pillars of historic Christianity, and this week, we’re studying the seventh pillar: salvation.

The Bible uses the word “salvation” in three distinct ways:

1. The past aspect of salvation: justification. If you are a Christian, you have been saved from the penalty of sin. The moment you trusted in Christ for salvation, you were justified, which means God declared you not guilty. Romans 5:1 says, “Having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.” Notice this verse is past tense–you have been justified.
2. The present aspect of salvation: sanctification. If you are a Christian, you are being saved from the power of sin. The Holy Spirit helps you gain victory over sin and become more like Christ, a process we call sanctification. Romans 6:22 says, “Having been freed from sin and enslaved to God, you derive your benefit, resulting in sanctification.” Sin has no more power over your life than you allow it to have.
3. The future aspect of salvation: glorification. If you are a Christian, you will be saved from the presence of sin. One day, God is going to give you a brand-new body that is free from sin. Aren’t you looking forward to getting rid of your sin-filled body? Philippians 3:20–21 says, “We eagerly wait for a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ; who will transform the body of our humble state into conformity with the body of His glory.” When you receive your glorified body, you will be forever free from the presence of sin.

Though there are multiple aspects of salvation, there are not multiple ways to be saved. There is only one way: through Jesus Christ alone.

Today’s devotion is adapted from “What Every Christian Should Know About Salvation” by Dr. Robert Jeffress, 2022.

Scripture quotations taken from the (NASB®) New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. All rights reserved. www.lockman.org.