There is no Bible doctrine more important than salvation, for this concerns one’s spiritual condition, the state of one’s relationship with God and the eternal destiny of one’s soul. This is not a matter that can be taken lightly, nor should we just assume that what others have told us is Biblically accurate. There is only one place that we can turn to learn all there is to know about salvation and how we can be saved from sin!
First, the Bible teaches that Christ has all authority in the matter of salvation. In the Great Commission, Jesus told His disciples that “all authority” had been given to Him, and then He told them what they needed to preach so that people could be saved (Matt. 28:18-20). His all-authoritative Word (in the Bible) is the only source we have today to know everything that God expects of us in order to be saved. Jesus is truly “the author of eternal salvation” (Heb. 5:9). Preachers, friends, family members and even our own feelings are not the authority when it comes to salvation.
Second, the Bible teaches that one is only saved by the grace of God. We must ever be mindful that it is truly God’s grace that saves us (Eph. 2:5, 8), and it was “according to the riches of His grace” that He sent Jesus to die for us, so that we could be saved “through His blood” (Eph. 1:7). His grace is available to all (Tit. 2:11), but salvation is not by grace alone. We only have “access” to His grace by a proper response to His Word (Rom. 5:1-2).
Third, the Bible teaches that one can only be saved by God’s grace through obedience to His will. Jesus is “the author of eternal salvation,” and the verse goes on to say, “to all who obey Him” (Heb. 5:9). When we “keep His commandments” and “do whatever” He tells us to do, we demonstrate our love for Him (John 14:15; 15:14). Jesus issued a very clear warning, “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven” (Matt. 7:21). Our entrance into heaven is dependent upon doing God’s will!
The salvation of your soul is so very important! There is nothing more crucial than knowing for absolute Biblical certainty (and not just a feeling that you have) that you have followed God’s plan precisely as He has revealed it in His Word. Take a moment, and for your own benefit, answer these questions.
Are you saved? Yes No I don’t know
If yes, how were you saved? __________________________________________________________________________________________
Have you ever been baptized? Yes No
If yes, for what reason(s) were you baptized? _____________________________________________________________________________