Definitions

1. What is salvation' Salvation is deliverance from the penalty, pollution, and power of sin. It is eternally more important than being saved from fire, social embarrassment, illness, poverty, or loneliness.

2. What is sin? Sin is any thought, word, or deed that either violates or falls short of complete conformity to God’s holy laws (Rom. 3:23).

3. What has God done about it? He became a member of the human race in the person of Jesus Christ, lived sinlessly to fulfill God’s righteous demands, died on the cross to bear the penalty for our sins, and rose from the grave to break the power of death and defeat Satan. The Bible states, “God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us” (Rom. 5:8).

4. For whom did Christ die? Christ died for people who have nothing to offer Him but brokenness and need. He died for people who have fallen far short of their original purpose to know Him, to glorify Him, and enjoy Him forever (Jn. 1:1-12; 3:16-19).

5. How do we receive salvation? Salvation is freely given to all who believe in Jesus. Neither zealous commitment to good works nor careful observance of religious ritual play a part in obtaining salvation. Salvation is not found in our efforts but in trusting what God has done for us. All He requires is that we personally place our trust in Christ. All who sincerely want to be saved and who accept the invitation to believe in Christ will never be turned away. Jesus said, “He who believes in Me has everlasting life” (Jn. 6:47).

Adapted from the booklet What We Believe (Q0405), copyright 1996 RBC Ministries, Grand Rapids, MI 49555-0001, quoted in Our Daily Bread, June-August, 1997