What is salvation?
The only way people will not be judged and punished by God is if they can be rescued. This is called “salvation”. What do people need to be rescued from? All people need to be rescued from God’s punishment and from their own sin. We are all sinners (Rom. 3:23), which means we are enemies of God. This is why we all deserve to be punished by God.
Where does salvation come from?
The only way for us to be saved from God’s punishment and from our sin is if God rescues us. We cannot save ourselves because we are sinful and unable to come to Him with our own efforts (Rom. 3:10-12). Because God is loving and kind, He has made a way for sinners to be saved (Rom. 5:8). It is important to understand that salvation comes from God alone (Psalm 3:8).
What is the new birth?
How do sinful people who are unable to save themselves get rescued? Because they are “dead in their sins” (Eph. 2:1), they must receive the new birth (John 3:3). The new birth is God the Holy Spirit making you alive spiritually. When the Holy Spirit does this you are able to repent from your sin and believe in Jesus Christ for salvation. The new birth is having your sin washed away and being made new on the inside (Titus 3:5).
What is Repentance and Faith?
To repent means we turn away from your sin and turn to God (Acts 3:19). When we repent it is by God’s help that we realize that we are sinful and need forgiveness. So the Holy Spirit helps us turn from it and go to God for forgiveness. How do we receive this forgiveness? It comes through faith. Faith is trusting in all that the Lord Jesus Christ has done for us. Faith is only in the Lord Jesus Christ because only He can save sinners (Acts 4:12).
What are Good Works?
Good works are those things that God wants us to do. Good works do not save us (Eph. 2:9), but if you are saved you will want to do good works. The only works that save a sinner are the works of Jesus Christ. Because of His works, those who are forgiven obey Him because they love Him (John 14:15).
