Salvation isn’t based on what we do. It’s based on what Jesus Christ already did on the cross. Jesus paid the debt we owed—from our sins—making it possible to enter into relationship with God again.

“God presented Christ as a sacrifice of atonement (a substitute payment) through the shedding of his blood—to be received by faith.” - Romans 3:25

Notice we only need to receive his gift “by faith.” Salvation is living in right relationship with God. Sin is the disrupter and divider. Since Christ has dealt with our sin problem, we can move forward with confidence. Our role isn’t to work hard to be saved, nor should we keep intentionally sinning. We choose to live in a relationship of surrendering to God and trusting in his forgiveness through Jesus Christ. In one verse earlier, Paul reiterated that this payment is “free.”

All are justified freely by his grace through the redemption (payment) that came by Christ Jesus.” - Romans 3:24     

Repentance, belief, trust, and obedience are the actions that initialize our relationship to God. 

“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.” - 1 John 1:9

“If you declare with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” - Romans 10:9, 13 (quoting Joel 2:32)

“Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.” - Acts 2:38-39

Christianity believes Jesus is the exclusive way of salvation because he is the only one who paid our legal debt; justice has been served through Jesus’ payment. He is the only one who “came from the Father” and could lead us back into the Father’s presence. Because he is fully God, he gives us access to a relationship with God, and because he is fully human, he can legally represent us with his sacrificial payment.

Jesus said, ‘I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.’” - John 14:6

“Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.” - Acts 4:12

WHAT IF I’M JUST NOT SURE? 

If you still struggle with guilt or doubt, here are a few things to consider:

First, there is a difference between facts and feelings. The facts are that God already demonstrated his love and forgiveness for you (Romans 5:8). The facts are that God already said in his Scriptures that he paid for your sins and you are forgiven. Your feelings are conflicted as you learn to live under the conviction of God’s truths and the grace of his love.

Second, confession is a powerful spiritual practice. When we confess our sins to a spiritual sister or brother, we expose what is shameful and secretive and break its power over us. Then, in a healing community that is oriented around the truth, they can pronounce forgiveness, which sets you free from condemnation and guilt. Jesus gave his church the ministry of declaring truth and pronouncing forgiveness. (See James 5:16; Matthew 18:15-20)

Third, God isn’t demanding perfection. He is asking for surrender. In both the Old Testament Jewish community and the New Testament communities, God made provisions for our mistakes. He already knew we would not live up to our ideals perfectly. Just because you struggle to break free from old sin patterns, attitudes, or addictions doesn’t mean you’ve lost your salvation or that God has lost patience with you. The answer isn’t to get discouraged, doubt, or give up. Keep receiving his loving kindness and relying on his power to transform you. Fill your life with God’s Word, prayer, and spiritual community, and he will certainly continue to transform your life.

CONCLUSION:

Those who have sincerely committed themselves to following Jesus and walking in his ways have nothing to fear. My good deeds could never keep me out of hell; my bad deeds cannot keep me out of heaven. Salvation is living in a relationship with Jesus. God is a patient Father and wants to rebuild us. Let’s end by listening to these two beautiful promises,

“I have loved you with an everlasting love; I have drawn you with unfailing kindness. I will build you up again.” - Jeremiah 31:3-4

“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.” - John 3:16-17

Tags: faith, jesus, sin, trust, grace, salvation, belief, repentance, justification, obedience, assurance, confess