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Jesus Christ brought the highest revelation of God and taught a perfect standard of human conduct; but, above all, we find in him God's perfect remedy for sin. He came "to save his people from their sins" (Matt. 1:21). The beloved apostle says, "Ye know that he was manifested to take away our sins," and, "Whosoever abideth in him sinneth not" (1 John 8: 5, 6). Thus the perfect moral restoration of man to the original condition of holiness and purity is accomplished. He "gave himself for us, that he might REDEEM us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works" (Tit. 2: 14). But what does this term "salvation" signify? Its literal meaning is deliverance; hence in its spiritual usage it signifies deliverance from sin. Let the Word of God define its meaning: "Thou shalt call his name Jesus; for he shall save his people from their sins" (Matt. 1:21). "Ye know that he was manifested to take away our sins" (1 John 8: 5). "For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil" (verse 8). He "gave himself for our sins, that he might deliver us from this present evil world" (Gal. 1:4). The Word of God is so very plain that we marvel that so many people misunderstand its teaching on this point. It is the happy privilege of every guilty soul to receive, at this very hour, a free and perfect deliverance from all sin. "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness" (1 John 1:9, 7). Yea, he hath "loved us, and washed us from our sins in his own blood" (Rev. 1: 5). Now, while all Christians believe that the blood of Christ was shed for sin, still in many cases this provision for sin is not connected vitally with the individual believer, thus making the work of actual deliverance from all sin a present accomplished fact. If the actual results of salvation are not accomplished in the heart and life, then it is because the person is not yet saved. Many people who are still continuing to do the works of sin claim to be Christians, declaring that they are "saved by faith" or are "sinners saved by grace." Now, how can a person be saved by faith or by grace while at the same time he is not saved at ally' Salvation is received by faith, but a definite result is obtained, for we "receive the end of our faith, even THE SALVATION OF OUR SOULS" (1 Pet. 1:9). Of what use is a mere profession of religion unless one has a real experience in the soul? But when the person really has salvation, then testifies boldly to the fact, it has the desired effect; as Paul says, "That the communication of thy faith may become effectual, by the acknowledging of every good thing which is in you in Christ Jesus" (Phile. 6). Notice how the apostle Paul also connects salvation with its results in the individual heart and life: "For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God, and of our Savior Jesus Christ; who gave himself for us, that he might REDEEM us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works" (Tit. 2: 11-14). |
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