Salvation: March 8, 2011

TODAYS WORD FOR TUESDAY MARCH 8, 2011

SALVATION

DEFINITION:

The act of saving or protecting from harm; risk or loss; the state of being saved or protected; deliverance from the power and penalty of sin.

SCRIPTURE:

“How shall we escape if we neglect so great a salvation?” Hebrews 2:3

“Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and you will be saved.” Acts 16:3

KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE:

Many non-believers do not understand us when we talk about salvation. They do not understand the biblical meaning of the word and cannot relate it to their personal lives. They often just think that if they are in some sort of a “harm” situation they can look for relief (salvation) from that harm. For the believer, salvation is the process that one goes through to be saved from paying the penalty for the sins we have committed.

Salvation is the gift of God that He has given to us through His Son Jesus. This salvation is available to everyone. Our hearts are broken that so very few people today feel any need for God and the salvation that He has offered everyone. Many people here in America today feel this way because for several generations now we have taken off our agenda the need for having God in our lives. This has been done through our schools and by the decision makers in our government and judicial system.

In our family, salvation is what is most important above all else which is the case in the families of all believers. One of the greatest thrills we have had in life, if not the greatest, is when our children and now our grandchildren tell us that they have accepted Jesus as their Savior. By taking Jesus into their hearts they accepted God’s gift of salvation.

Jesus began His ministry on earth with the marvelous message: “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” (Matthew 4:17) He never gave us an option. His message was simple and clear --- “REPENT.”

It is also written in Acts 16:30 that the Philippians jailer, who was in great fear when God caused an earthquake to open the prison doors of the jail for Paul and Silas to escape, asked Paul and Silas, “Sirs, what can I do to be saved?” The answer was given clearly and simply: “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and you shall be saved, you and your household.” This is SALVATION!

Salvation is more than great, but it says in the scripture above that it is “SO GREAT.” Salvation in Jesus Christ is so great because:

• It was from God and through His Son Jesus Christ. John 3:16 reads, “For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have everlasting life.”
• It comes at a great cost. 1 John 3:16 reads, “Jesus Christ laid down His life for us.”
• It is complete and for all time. 1 Peter 3:18 reads, “For Christ died for our sins once and for all.”
• It is the only way to God and eternal life. John 14:6 reads, Jesus answered, “I am the way, the truth and the life. No man comes to the Father except through Me.”


Salvation is the eternal life that God has given us. The Philippian jailer never asked what he could do to be “LOST.” He knew that answer: You do not have to do anything to be lost because we are all born sinners and are condemned because of our sins to eternal damnation. The only way to receive eternal life in heaven is the SALVATION that God has offered us to accept through His Son Jesus.

LEARNING:

Our memory verse for this week is found in 1 Chronicles 28:20:

And David said to his son Solomon, “Be strong and of good courage, and do it, for the Lord God, my God, will be with you. He will not leave you nor forsake you, until you have finished all the work for the service of the house of the Lord.”

PRAYER:

Thank You Almighty God for the “GREAT SALVATION” that You have provided for me through Your Son, Jesus. Give me the strength today to live my life honoring You in all that I do and say. Help me to share “my great salvation” with others.