Over the last several Sundays we’ve explored the doctrine of salvation, focusing on certain key terms: new birth, justification, redemption, reconciliation, and (on Aug. 2) adoption.

I don’t mean to imply that these are the only Bible themes that help us understand what it means to be saved.   As Jeremy Treat points out in his book, The Atonement:  An Introduction (see ch. 3), we could also examine glorifi­ca­tion, propitiation, victory, removal of shame, new coven­ant, revelation, return from exile, healing, temple, forgive­ness, immortality, shalom, and more!

Salvation is a multi-faceted reality; it’s wonderfully complex and intricate—like a tapestry woven from an array of beautiful threads.  God has done a stunning thing by rescuing rebel sinners like me!

I want to highlight two features of salvation we pick up from these Bible themes.  First, salvation is a gift of God’s grace.  It’s not earned or deserved by anyone.  We don’t contribute anything … except our sin, our need!  All who’ve been born again were born “not of blood nor of the will of the flesh nor of the will of man, but of God” (John 1:13).  “By grace you have been saved through faith.  And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast” (Eph. 2:8-9).  By grace, as a gift!

Second, salvation is not portrayed with the kind of imagery that would prompt one to imagine the possibility that it could be reversed—being “de-saved.”  God is a good Father, and he does not un-adopt children he has embraced.  Those who’ve been born again are not somehow subsequently “un-re-born.” Justification is imputed to repentant sinners, and this acquittal is not later retracted.  And so on.   The saving love of God in Christ is stable; all who trust in Jesus for salvation are held securely in his eternal love!  “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me.  I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand” (John 10:27-28). 

Give thanks to our Great and Loving God for his amazing grace!