What does the Bible really say about salvation?

In today's world, people are forever trying to figure out how to get right with God. Prognosticators, those who claim to be "prophets," and those who claim to know the exact date of the Second Coming of Jesus Christ are popping up all over the place.

Television, radio and Internet pieces all say we are in or fast approaching the "end-time." So much so that many people are reeling to figure it all out. The Bible points to many answers as to the times we are living in, the times mankind lived in in the past and what to expect in the future. Although it's not entirely clear as to when Jesus will return and what will happen exactly before that day, however, the Bible does give us a clear-cut vision: He is coming back.
What do we do to prepare and how do we find assurance that we get right with the Lord upon the return of the Savior, Jesus Christ? How does one become "saved?" What is salvation and how do we achieve it?

The Bible tells us us that there is only one way to achieve salvation. In fact, it's so clear it often baffles many people who read verse after verse and still miss what Scripture says we must do to be saved. Let's look at a few verses that deal exactly with what we need to do.

Romans 3:23 - "all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God".

You may be thinking: 'That verse says I am not worthy!' You are right. Human beings were born into sin and are not, by God's standards, good enough to enter into His presence. You may be wondering how that can be. After all, if we don't kill others, steal from them, lie to others and we try to keep the Ten Commandments we should be good enough for God, correct? Not so. Let's look at another verse.

Ephesians 2:8 & 9 - "For by grace you have been saved through faith, and this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not the result of works, so that no one may boast".

God wants us to have faith in Him. In the Old Testament, God called upon His people, (The Jews) to have faith by keeping His laws. (The Laws of Moses) Those laws had to do with worshipping God, how to treat other people and called for people to keep their eyes on God. He set forth these laws because God had some very special things in store for the Jewish people. God chose them to be fathers of many nations, leaders and teachers. However, He wanted them to be pure in His eyes-- worthy of His glory.

God also spoke to prophets in conjunction with these laws and wanted His people to know that the second, and perhaps the most important, reason for having faith by keeping the law was the coming of Jesus Christ, who would deliver them and the world from sin.

This is what God meant by "grace." What Jesus Christ did on the cross was a very powerful thing. To some, it's a myth. To other's the crucifixion is a confusing event. God makes it very clear as to "why" Jesus had to die and be risen.

When we wrap our arms around this, it's actually very clear as to who God is and who we as human beings are. Let's examine it.
God created mankind. That truth tells us that we are NOT on the same level as God. Although He made us in His image--with the ability to think, make choices, reproduce, etc., He didn't create us as pure as He is and because of the sin Adam and Eve committed in the Garden of Eden, mankind falls short of God's glory.

Other Bible verses tell us that the penalty for sin is death. What does that mean to us? Under Old Testament Jewish law it meant just that. Sinners were stoned, hanged and crucified for committing acts that rulers considered sins. Today, of course, although earthly punishments may be handed down upon us, we are certainly not subject so death-by-stoning for telling a lie. But we are, in fact, subject to spiritual death, which means an eternity away from God. So if you first grasp that concept, it's natural to think that if the penalty for sin results in spending eternity away from God, then there will be no men or women in Heaven because all would be serving their eternal punishments for their sins. Not true, however, sins still cannot go unpunished. If they did, God would not be a just God. This is why Jesus died. God needed a way to make sure he remained just and punish mankind for his sins, while at the same time make us worthy of His glory in Heaven. So God became flesh in the form of Jesus Christ. And Jesus, who is just that--God in the flesh-- took our place on the cross, because the Bible says the penalty for sin is death.

Romans 6:23 - "For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord".

Because God loves us and wants us to be in His glory--on Earth--and in the afterlife, He did the only thing that would suffice in order for that to be possible. Instead of punishing all sinners, one-by-one, He sent Jesus to die once in our place. The death of Jesus Christ paid the price of all sin--past, present and future.

God did not stop there. Although Jesus died on the cross as the Bible tells us, he also rose again on the third day. He defeated death. Jesus is alive. Scripture tells He ascended into Heaven and is now sitting on the throne, preparing places for all who believe in Him and is getting ready to come back to Earth for His bride-- the church body. Christ is also alive here on Earth now and by the Holy Spirit, lives in the hearts of all who believe in Him.

The way to assure salvation is, therefore, simple and involves three steps:
1. Admit you are a sinner and fall short of the glory of God.
2. Believe that Jesus Christ died to pay the eternal price for those sins--past, present and future so you do not have to.
3. Commit to live your life according to God's will here on Earth and to live according to His purpose and His plan for your life.

You were not created by accident! God has a wonderful plan for your life and He created each and every one of us with a purpose in mind.
Is being a Christian an easy and carefree life? No. Sometimes we stumble but we fall into the soft and graceful arms of Jesus. And just because we receive the gift of salvation, does not mean we as Christians have a free pass to live according to what WE want out of life. It means that we have the wonderful gift of the Holy Spirit in us to help us keep our hearts and our minds on God, in the same way the Old Testament Jews had the laws of the old covenant. Not to confuse the issue-- the old "laws" are not "done away with." We still are commanded to love one another, not treat each other badly and live a life that's pleasing to God. However in Christ Jesus, who added many other commandments as well, we have many freedoms and the chance to constantly be in the presence of God through His Spirit. Jesus made that possible with His new covenant, a one of the Holy Spirit and love.

John 3:16 - "For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him may not perish but may have eternal life".

Salvation is free gift from God. We can choose to accept that gift or refuse it. We are also free to believe in any religion we choose, but our Bible, the true Word of God, tells us that what Jesus Christ did on the cross is the only logical solution for one to enter into His glory. There is no other way. It may sound a bit intimidating at first, but remember, there is NO sin too big for Jesus to forgive and he wants you to take all of your sins--no matter how big or small you think they are, because it's all sin to Him-- and dump them at the foot of the cross. And by doing so Jesus will make your sins as white as snow.

Remember these last verses from among the many that the Bible teaches about salvation.

Revelation 3:20 - "Listen! I am standing at the door, knocking; if you hear my voice and open the door, I will come in to you and eat with you, and you with me".

Romans 10:9 - "If you confess with your lips that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved".

If you still have questions, there are many wonderful books about who Jesus is, most notably, More Than a Carpenter by Josh McDowell. McDowell, was an non-believer in God, until he answered Him and started exploring just who this "Jesus" was. By doing so he had no choice but to accept that Jesus Christ is exactly who He claimed to be and lived, died and rose again exactly how the prophets said He would and for what purpose.
Editor's note: There are about 400 Biblical prophecies about the Messiah. Jesus Christ fulfilled every single one of them.