By Christopher Wall

Salvation is “preservation or deliverance from harm, ruin, or loss.” You and I were born in a state of ruin. The Bible makes this very clear in passages like Psalm 51:5, which states, “Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity, and in sin did my mother conceive me.” Or Ephesians 2:1 “

Chris Wall

And you were dead in the trespasses and sins.” These verses are but a small sampling of what Scripture teaches, as a whole, on the reality of our sinfulness and our deadness to it.

Some have a view of salvation that they illustrate as like a person drowning, having a lifesaver thrown out to them, and grabbing hold of it, thereby being rescued (saved). However, considering the above-mentioned biblical data, I do not see this as the correct way of viewing salvation.

To use the above-mentioned illustration, salvation is like you being dead at the bottom of the sea, covered in seaweed, and the Holy Spirit gloriously, miraculously bringing you to life. You were not reaching out for help; remember, you were dead.

The salvation of a soul can be described only as a miracle. It is utterly unmerited on the part of the sinner (God’s grace) and yet applied to the one who believes.

Believes what? You rightly ask. They believe what the Bible teaches. That you are a sinner who is incapable of saving yourself; they believe that, just as Jesus said, He is the Way, the Truth, and the Life, and no one comes to the Father except through Him (John 14:6). Jesus is not a savior; He is THE Savior. Jesus is not a way; He is THE Way.

Salvation is so wonderful because it is the perfect work of the Triune Godhead played out in real-time in the hearts of men. Salvation is not something we can perform in and of ourselves; it is solely the gracious gift of God.

I invite you to consider where you stand concerning this great salvation today. Do you know Christ as Lord and Savior? Are you trusting His life, death, and resurrection as your only hope for righteousness before God? Trust Him today and experience this wonderful gift of salvation!

Chris Wall is the pastor of Mesquite Baptist Church located at 742 W. Pioneer Blvd. Suite A.

Additional resources can be found on their website “MesquiteBaptistChurchNV.com,” Facebook “Mesquite Baptist Church NV” and YouTube “@Mesquite Baptist Church NV”