Jesus Saves

“Salvation is God’s righteousness at work in us when we say yes to His plan. Saying yes is how we demonstrate faith. We get saved by grace through faith, but we also live by grace through faith’’. Unknown

Ever heard the saying: Jesus saves? It’s a fairly popular one. Have you read it somewhere or heard a Christian say they are saved, and not fully understand the depths of this statement? Is that person your partner? Perhaps a family member or close friend? You aren’t alone if you don’t understand what it means. It wasn’t until this phrase took me by complete surprise the day my Husband said those words to me. Aka born again. I was new to this statement about 6 years ago. Shortly after getting married my Husband told me he was saved. I looked at him with such confusion. What does that mean ? I did’t even know any other Christians who were “born again”. I’ve heard of born again virgins, but not born again Christian. Why claim to be saved? It slightly sounded self righteous in a way to me.. What makes them so highly favored in Gods eyes. What are they saved from?

My Husband was radically changed, and soon I began to question going through with a divorce. We were probably a month into our marriage and I felt betrayed. I felt blind sided, and I wasn’t having it. I began to see Rocky grow in the direction of faith within our "spiritual" journey, but I just didn’t understand this level of commitment. The statement through me off. Along with the changes that came. I treated this situation as if he was struggling with an addiction, according to my Mom at the time. I was totally fine with believing in God, and His son Jesus but I didn’t get the concept to live life for Him.

I thought Jesus died for our sins. He forgives us because He loves us all. Simply put -this was my idea of the Gospel. For most of my life I figured I deserved a place in heaven. That I was a good person, that Jesus knew my heart and even if I sin my sins aren’t many, and I’m not hurting anyone or doing acts of evil nor anything of that nature. I measured my sins according to my moral standards not Gods.

Eventually I came around to growing slowly in my faith. In time, I began to attend church with Rocky. I once held onto certain perceptions throughout the first few years of growing in my faith. Ultimately I began to see these perceptions were errors. I even heard Pastors preach that if you accepted Jesus in your heart, and said the sinners prayer you would be saved. Usually this statement was followed up with “welcome to the family”. I even got baptized with this belief, because at the time I genuinely thought I was saved. This is called “easy believism”. Before I continue, I want to focus on the basics because above all else, these fundamental basics are crucial when writing on this topic.

Who is Jesus?

Every religion in the world views Jesus as a good Teacher, and or Prophet. Although Jesus was both a good Teacher and Prophet those descriptions do not capture who Jesus is, and why He saves. Jesus Christ is the central figure of Christianity. Jesus is God in human form. (John 1;1,14)

What does it mean to be born again ?

The classic passage from the Bible that answers this question in the Gospel of John (3:1-21) Jesus is talking to Nicodemus, a Pharisee(religious leader). Nicodemus had come to Jesus at night with some questions. As Jesus talked with Nicodemus, He said, “I tell you the truth, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again.’ ‘How can a man be born when he is old?’ Nicodemus asked. ‘Surely he cannot enter a second time into his mother’s womb to be born!’ Jesus answered, ‘I tell you the truth, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless he is born of water and the Spirit. Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit. You should not be surprised at my saying, “You must be born again”’” (John 3:3-7).

The phrase "born again" literally means "born from above." Nicodemus needed a change of his heart—a spiritual transformation.

Why does a person need to saved?

The apostle Paul in Ephesians 2:1 says, "And you He made alive, who were dead in trespasses and sins". "For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God" (Romans 3:23). Sinners are spiritually “dead" when they receive spiritual life through faith in Christ, the Bible likens it to a rebirth.

I know this all may seem intense, if you have read this far that’s a great sign you’re not as resistance as I once was :)

It’s never easy to read or listen on the topic of sin. I recoiled at the slightest mentioning of sin. It convicts us and doesn’t leave us feeling so loved does it? But it should amplify Gods grace all the more - in the verse: “All have sinned and fall short”. I now understand this hard truth is the piece of the Gospel I ignored for 35 years of my life. So I share this blog with love, care, and truth.

Who does Jesus save?

Salvation is ultimately a gift from God through what Jesus has done on the cross. (Romans 6:23) We are saved because God is so gracious, and merciful He sent us a way. Jesus is the Only way. Many religions mention Jesus but fail to accept Him as Lord and Savior.

Even I held onto belief in Jesus, but I failed to hold him as my Savior. In the gospel we see a picture of Gods love in that He has offered humanity a simple way for eternal life. This act of grace took on a whole new meaning the day I received the gospel, and accepted Jesus as my personal Lord and Savior. It takes the simplicity of faith to accept the gift of salvation, however we often times are too prideful to admit our need. The first step was when I recognized Gods love in the form of His grace. A grace I did not deserve. A grace I fully took for granted. At one point we must recognize our helplessness. Salvation has been made available to all people by Gods grace in Christ.

Salvation is not based on works:

I’ll be honest and share that I use to think our salvation was mainly based on works, especially as a former Catholic. I believed having been baptized as an infant meant perhaps that there was no need to be saved. Initially when Rocky told me he was going to get baptized I thought it was pointless because he already was. I didn’t know a thing about believers baptism. I now understand water baptism is a proclamation. It is an outward demonstration of the inward transformation that takes place when we receive Jesus as our Lord and Savior. Scripture says we are to “ repent and be baptized"( Act 2: 38) thus signifying a new life. I also once figured that sacraments attributed to my salvation. The more I read the bible the more I began to see that salvation is not a works-based system.

Many verses in the Bible teach that salvation is through faith alone, not faith plus works. Ephesians 2:8–9, for example, is clearly worded “It is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast.”

The word grace, which refers to God’s blessings on the undeserving.

(Other passages that clearly teach salvation through faith alone include Acts 16:31; Romans 3:28; 4:5; 5:1; Galatians 2:16; 3:24; Ephesians 1:13; and Philippians 3:9).

“Real saving faith is demonstrated by good works. Works are not the cause of salvation; works are the evidence of salvation. Faith in Christ always results in good works. Obedience to God is the mark of true saving faith”. Via Gotquestions.com

What must I do to be saved?

In Jesus words - “I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance” Luke 5:32 The focus of Jesus Christ’s mission was to call sinners to repentance: His call of absolute surrender goes out to all people: “But unless you repent, you too will all perish.” Luke 13:5

The topic of repentance can be uncomfortable. It exposes our sin, and it rebukes us. I use to pull back, and avoid any conversation or sermon pertaining to sin/and repentance. I was full of pride, and disregarded Gods moral standards. Scriptures says, “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.”James 4:6 God wants to offer everyone the chance to be saved from sin, and its result—death. “For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord”. Romans 6:23

The word repentance in the Bible literally means “the act of changing one’s mind.” True biblical repentance goes beyond remorse, regret, or feeling bad about one’s sin. It involves turning away from sin. True repentance involve awareness of one’s own guilt, and helplessness. When we see the reality of the gospel paired with Gods unmerited grace, our heart change, little by little, each and every time we repent.

Why is repentance so hard?

If you’ve repented of something, or are currently struggling with doing so, you’ll know first hand how hard it is. Repentance involves recognizing God is the one who requires us to repent. There are many ways in which we have a hard time in turning from our sins. Whether it's due to pride, opposing Gods authority, leaning into familiar comforts, or desiring to be in control, like playing "god" in having sovereignty (especially seen in new age practices). Repentance involves a change of mind coupled with a change of action for good.

Newness of life

“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!”

2 Corinthians 5:17

“Old things have passed away” The “old” refers to everything that is part of our old nature— pride, love of sin, our former opinions, and habits. Now looking outwardly toward Christ instead of inwardly toward self.

“The new has come” Old, things are replaced with new things. Those born again delight in the things of God. Our purposes, desires, and understandings change. We see the world differently. The Bible suddenly holds so much more value, and beauty which we never saw before. A new reverence to read and study the word becomes an essential part of life.

What about the Christian who continues to sin?

There is a difference between continuing to sin and continuing to live in sin. No one reaches sinless perfection in this life, but the redeemed Christian is being sanctified day by day, sinning less and hating it more each time they fail. Yes, we still sin, most times unwillingly, and less frequently as we mature. In recognizing sin separates us from God: the major difference is that the new creation is no longer a slave to sin, as we formerly were. We are now freed from sin, and it no longer has a hold over us as it once did.

“If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.

If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar, and his word is not in us”. 1 John 1:8-10

"For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus”. Romans 3 :23-25

I want to end off by sharing a quote I came across that was written by Sara Weir : On The beauty of Repentance. This quote really bridges both blogs : Jesus Saves, and God is love. You can not express Gods love without Jesus sacrifice, and we can not express salvation in Christ without Gods love.

“Jesus, In putting on His own creation – humanity – He proves there to be no other way to relate to God then through humility, love, obedience, and faith (Phil. 2:1-11). In living perfectly, He shows us a life dependent on His Father, a life lived by faith in His goodness, kindness, faithfulness, mercy, and steadfast love (John 8:27-30, the fact that He went to the Cross!). In dying, He bears the sin and shame of man – the very things that separate us from God (Col. 2:13-15). He endures the wrath, the penalty reserved for us, because of His great love for His Father and for us (John 15:12-13). In overcoming sin and death’s hold on His beloved creation, He rises with a victory and inheritance that He gladly gives to those who look to Him and believe He’s the only Way”.