SEVEN BIBLE DESCRIPTIONS OF SALVATION
This is the doctrine of Holy
Scripture - Salvation is the work of God alone, a gracious work of God wrought
for and in chosen sinners, without their aid or assistance, through the
mediatorial work of the Lord Jesus Christ and the gracious, irresistible
operations of the Holy Spirit. Here are seven Bible descriptions of salvation.
I ask only that you read them carefully and honestly, comparing Scripture with
Scripture. If you will do so, you will see clearly that “Salvation is of the Lord!”
1.
“Thy
Salvation” -- "I have waited for thy salvation, O LORD" (Gen. 49:18). Salvation belongs to God. It is his prerogative and his
work alone. He gives it and withholds it according to his own sovereign will.
2.
“Eternal
Salvation” -- "And being made
perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him" (Heb. 5:9). Salvation
is an eternal work of the eternal God. It was devised and secured,
predestinated and purposed, and, in the mind of God, it was performed,
finished, and perfected in the covenant of grace before the world began. Read
your Bible and you will see that this is so (Rom. 8:29-30; Rev. 13:8).
3.
“Common
Salvation” -- "Beloved, when I gave
all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me
to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the
faith which was once delivered unto the saints" (Jude 3). When Jude speaks
of “the
common salvation,” he is not telling us than God’s salvation is an ordinary
thing. He is simply telling us that all God’s elect receive, experience, and
possess the same salvation. The blessings and benefits of grace belong equally
and fully to all who are in Christ (Eph. 1:3).
4.
“Your
Own Salvation”
-- "Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have
always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence,
work out your own salvation with fear and trembling." (Phil. 2:12). I
like that! If you are saved, the salvation you have is “your own salvation.” God devised it for you. Christ purchased it
for you. The Holy Spirit brought it to you and wrought it in you. It is yours
forever! If you trust the Lord Jesus Christ, all that is included in that word
“salvation” is your personal property
and possession forever! It belongs to you by the gift of the grace of God!
5.
“So
Great Salvation” -- "How shall we escape,
if we neglect so great salvation; which at the first began to be spoken by the
Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard him” (Heb. 2:3). It comes from
the great God, through the merits of our great Substitute, by the power of
God’s great, Holy Spirit, to great sinners, and brings the great bounty of
great grace!
6.
“Everlasting
Salvation”
-- "But Israel shall be saved in the
LORD with an everlasting salvation: ye shall not be ashamed nor confounded
world without end” (Isa. 45:17). God’s salvation is eternal both ways. It
is from everlasting to everlasting.
7.
“Salvation
To Our God” -- "After this I beheld,
and, lo, a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and
kindreds, and people, and tongues, stood before the throne, and before the
Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands; And cried with a loud
voice, saying, Salvation to our God which sitteth upon the throne, and unto the
Lamb” (Rev.
7:9-12). That salvation which belongs to God and comes from God shall return to
God in everlasting praise.
AMEN.