True Salvation

Just what is true salvation? Does it mean having your name on a church "roll" or doing good deeds? Does it mean talking about the goodness of God or reading the bible everyday? All of these things are good, but is this all that salvation is about?

Many today, have a distorted view of what it means to be truly converted. So many have fallen for the deceptions of the enemy (satan), and believe true salvation is simply saying a recited "sinner's prayer", being an active member of a church, doing good deeds and reading their bible. It doesn't matter that their lifestyle hasn't changed; as long as these steps have been followed, they are "saved" in their minds.

So many attend church simply out of tradition or to make themselves feel good. Some attend to network or socialize. Others see attending church as some exchange with God for the way they live their lives. As if God will overlook their lifestyle the other six days out of the week because they "did Him a favor" by spending an hour at a church service. They pay their tithes and are faithful members yet their lives are a contradiction to His will and His way. Our children have even fallen prey to this distorted view. Their meaning of salvation is simply learning bible verses, wearing "Jesus" t-shirts and doing missionary work in far off countries, when they in fact need to be ministered to. This is indeed a sad state of affairs, but many church-goers today have no desire to change. They are more concerned with how they look to everyone else, forgetting that it is how they look to God that matters most.

We can attend church seven days a week, read the bible three times a day, be the most giving person in our community, travel to far off places giving away bibles and feeding the poor, but these things do not add up to salvation. These are all good qualities, but they are not enough.

We can only be drawn to God by His spirit (John 6:44), and once this takes place, we are given opportunity to surrender (Revelation 3:20). If we surrender our heart to God through confession and true repentance, the Spirit of God takes up residence in our lives. We are then given the help we need in order to live according to God's will. We no longer have to live by the rule of our flesh (our human desires); we can be led by the Spirit of God. Amazingly, we are given the same Spirit that rose Christ from the dead (Romans 8)! This is a God-thing! No man can earn this, because our goodness pales in comparison to the holiness of our Creator.

We are saved by God's grace through our faith in Him. It is a gift of God. It is not from works, because this would give us reason to boast (Ephesians 2:8). Once Christ has entered into your life, you will no longer be the same. It is inevitable! There is simply no way that the Almighty God will place His Spirit within you and you remain the same. There will be things that once was of interest to you that will no longer matter. There will be people that you used to love to be around that you will no longer connect with (Amos 3:3). Your whole outlook on life will be different; your priorities will change.

God renews your mind like only He can do. He will replace your heart of unforgiveness and selfishness with a heart of love. A love that is genuine and not based on conditions. He will keep your mind at peace even in the midst of chaos (Isaiah 26:3). He will give you a sincere desire to please Him. God gives you these things; you cannot work to get them.

True salvation is a surrendered life, a converted life. There is a renewing of the mind. We are no longer our own. Our will is replaced with God's will. Faith and works go hand in hand. A true child of God will show forth "fruit" so "works" will come natural (Galatians 5:22).

True salvation is a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. He is not only our Lord and Savior, but He becomes a friend, a comforter, a teacher, a doctor and so much more.

Reader, do not be deceived. There is a way that seems right, but is it the way of Christ? One sure way to find out is to hold your lifestyle up to the light of the word of God. If you have a sincere heart, God will show you where you need to change (Matthew 5:6). Trust Him to do it today.