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Salvatiion
April 7
Salvation
sōtēria
Because of the importance of this form of sōtēr (Savior),
which we examined yesterday, let’s ponder its significance in
light of our day. What exactly is salvation?
Sōtēria (G4991; e.g., Rom_1:16; Rom_10:9-10; Eph_1:13;
Heb_5:9; etc.) means safety, deliverance, and preservation from
danger or destruction.
To hear the “gospel” preached in many churches today, however,
even evangelical ones, you would never know they were talking
about salvation.
Deliverance from destruction? Fewer and fewer preachers mention
such an “offensive” concept. Today’s “gospel” says, “Just come
to Jesus and He will take care of all your problems,” or “He
will make you a better ballplayer,” or “He will give you
everything you want.”
The Word of God, however, clearly reveals how sinful man is and
how great God is. It clearly explains that God, solely through
His grace, mercy, and love reached down to save a dead race, a
race that hated Him.
As Lam_3:22 declares: “It is of the Lord’s mercies that we are
not consumed, because his compassions fail not.” Why would
Jeremiah use the word consumed? Because God is “consuming fire”
(Deu_4:24; Deu_9:3; Heb_12:29). Salvation is deliverance and
safety from the judgment and wrath of God (cf. Rom_1:18).
So, in contrast to the definition of salvation offered by
today’s “new theology,” which is, “liberation from the
oppression of this world’s structures” (whatever that means), I
would offer this one, which I believe is soundly based on the
Word of God:
Salvation is the sole act of God whereby He by His mercy and
grace eternally redeems His elect believers and delivers them
from their sin and the resultant spiritual death through the
once-for-all redeeming work of Jesus Christ on the cross.
Any other doctrine than this should be cursed. As Paul told the
Galatians (Gal_1:8-9): “Though we, or an angel from heaven,
preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have
preached unto you, let him be accursed. As we said before, so
say I now again, if any man preach any other gospel unto you
than that ye have received, let him be accursed.”
Indeed, we are today hearing false gospels everywhere, and
every one of them should be exposed and cursed for what it is.
Salvation is not about self-esteem, it is not about the
so-called seeker’s needs, and it is not about sentimentality.
It’s about sin and the Savior.
Scriptures for Study: What does Rom_10:9-10 declare about
salvation? What should our attitude be toward the true Gospel
(Rom_1:16)?
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