Periodically (and sometimes regularly) I hear Christians express that the Biblical doctrine of salvation is confusing to them, especially the relationship between faith & works – “Wait, so are we saved by faith alone, or is there something we need to do? If all we have to do is believe, then does it matter how we live as long as we have been “saved?” Can we lose our salvation? How do we know that we have truly believed? Etc.” I wish here to gather up some statements about salvation (with supporting Scriptures), along with qualifying statements, that will hopefully bring clarity to some reader. We cannot overemphasize how important it is for our soteriology (doctrine of salvation) to be crystal clear – It is the foundation, the bedrock of all that we believe. So, here we go…      

1. Salvation/forgiveness of sins is totally, 100% a gift from God. It is not in any way, shape or form earned by any actions that we do. It is totally based on the merits and works of Jesus Christ. It is by grace alone. 

Ephesians 2:8-9 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.

2. The merits of Jesus Christ are applied to us by repentance and faith in Jesus Christ. Both repentance and faith are internal realities, or spiritual experiences – a change of heart and mind. No outward actions are required. 

Mark 1:15 The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel. 

3. No “religious” activities are required for salvation (repeating the sinner’s prayer, being baptized, partaking of the Lord’s supper, going to church, reading the Bible, praying, evangelizing, etc.). However, a regenerated heart will cheerfully seek after these things to one degree or another. The activities are born out of a heart of worship and love, as opposed to a checklist someone forces themselves to follow.

Acts 16:31 And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.

Mark 16:16 He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.     

4. A change in lifestyle is not required for salvation. However, a change in life is inevitable if someone has experienced true salvation. 

2 Corinthians 5:17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.

5. We are not in any way shape or form saved by our works, but works (good fruit) assure us that we have been saved, along with the inward witness of the Holy Spirit.

Matthew 7:20-21 Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them. Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. 

6. Someone can have all of the outward signs of salvation, but not have not experienced genuine regeneration.

Matthew 7:22-23 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?  And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity. 

7. Being born into a Christian home does not in any way, shape or form guarantee salvation.

John 1:12-13 But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.

8. If someone has truly been born again, they will never and can never become un-regenerated (un-born-again). The gift of eternal life is a gift, and it is eternal.

Hebrews 10:10,14 By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all…For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified.

9. Ultimately, salvation is based on Election- God’s choosing us, as opposed to us choosing God. If God be for us, who can be against us? The ultimate power that brought us to Christ is the same power which will keep us in Christ.   

Romans 8:29-30 For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren. Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified.

Philippians 1:6 Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:

10. A true Christian will not be sinless, but he will sin less. There should be a hatred of sin and love for righteousness. A true Christian can sin, but does not want to sin. There should be a war inside during temptation, and guilt after sinning. 

1 John 1:6 If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth:

11. A true Christian can sin; even have a besetting sin, and perhaps even be out of fellowship for a while, but he will always return to Christ. The only way we can have confidence that we have been truly saved is if we are currently in a state of repentance and faith in Christ- however little strength we may have. 

1 John 2:19 They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would no doubt have continued with us: but they went out, that they might be made manifest that they were not all of us.

12. We cannot (and should not) ever make a final judgment about whether someone else is saved or not. God is the ultimate determiner of salvation.

In Conclusion, if we acknowledge our need for forgiveness from God, and our hope of forgiveness is resting in Christ, and in Him alone, we have no need to fear the judgment of God (Hell). If we are trying to earn anything from God on the basis of our efforts, we are sadly mistaken – our works will never be good enough. 

I hope you have the sweet assurance of salvation in your life! 

1 John 5:11-13 And this is the record, that God hath given to us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. He that hath the Son hath life; and he that hath not the Son of God hath not life. These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.

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