Scripture stresses that fallen human beings are cut off from God on account of their sin. All need to be saved, if they are to enter into a new relationship with God as their Creator and Redeemer. Salvation is not the result of human achievement, privilege or wisdom, but depends totally upon the graciousness of a loving God, supremely expressed in the cross of Jesus Christ. People must respond in repentance and faith if they are to benefit from God's offer of salvation in Christ.
The necessity of salvation
The universal rule of sin in human nature
Isaiah 64:6; Romans 3:19–23, Romans 5:12–18, Romans 7:24; Ephesians 2:3
Sin cuts humanity off from God
Isaiah 59:1–2 See also Genesis 3:22–24; Ephesians 2:1–5, Ephesians 4:18
Surely the arm of the LORD is not too short to save, nor His ear too dull to hear. But your iniquities have built barriers between you and your God, and your sins have hidden His face from you, so that He does not hear.
Sin enslaves humanity to evil
Jeremiah 13:23; Hosea 5:4; Zechariah 7:11–12; Romans 7:14–20; 2 Peter 2:13–19
Salvation is grounded in the love of God
Salvation is not based on human achievement
Romans 3:28; Ephesians 2:8–9 See also Acts 15:7–11; Romans 4:1–3, Romans 5:1–2; Galatians 2:16, Galatians 2:21; 2 Timothy 1:9
For we maintain that a man is justified by faith apart from works of the law.
For it is by grace you have been saved through faith, and this not from yourselves; it is the gift of God, not by works, so that no one can boast.
Salvation is grounded in God's love for his people
Ephesians 2:4–5 See also Deuteronomy 7:1–8; John 3:16–17; Romans 5:8; 2 Thessalonians 2:16; 1 John 4:9–19
But because of His great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in our trespasses. It is by grace you have been saved!
Salvation is grounded in God's grace
Romans 3:22–24 See also John 1:16; Acts 15:11; Romans 5:15–17; 2 Corinthians 6:1–2; Ephesians 1:5–8, Ephesians 2:4–10; 1 Timothy 1:14–15; Titus 2:11, Titus 3:4–7; Hebrews 2:9
And this righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no distinction, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and are justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus.
Salvation and the work of Jesus Christ
Salvation is grounded in the work of Jesus Christ
Acts 5:30–31; 1 Timothy 1:15 See also John 4:42; Acts 4:10–12; Romans 5:9–10; Philippians 3:20–21; 2 Timothy 1:9–10; Titus 3:5–7; Hebrews 7:24–25; 1 John 4:14
The God of our fathers raised up Jesus, whom you had killed by hanging Him on a tree. God exalted Him to His right hand as Prince and Savior, in order to grant repentance and forgiveness of sins to Israel.
This is a trustworthy saying, worthy of full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the worst.
Jesus Christ's death was totally sufficient for salvation
1 Peter 3:18 See also John 17:1–4; Acts 4:10–12; Galatians 1:3–4; Ephesians 1:5–10; 1 Timothy 2:5–6; 2 Timothy 1:9–10; Hebrews 10:10; 1 John 4:9–10; Revelation 7:9–10
For Christ also suffered for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. He was put to death in the body but made alive in the Spirit,
Salvation demands a human decision
John 3:36; Acts 3:19 See also Mark 1:15; Luke 8:50; John 3:17–18; Acts 2:37–39; Hebrews 12:25; 1 Peter 2:4–8; 1 John 5:10
Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life. Whoever rejects the Son will not see life. Instead, the wrath of God remains on him.”
Repent, then, and turn back, so that your sins may be wiped away,
Related themes
Dictionary of Bible Themes © 1999 Martin Manser, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0, via Bible Aquifer. Formatted for this site, with Scripture from the Berean Standard Bible.