Salvation In Christ

Garry Martin

             Matthew wrote, telling his readers that Jesus was the Son of God — And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased” (Matthew 3:17). When Jesus was baptized by John the baptizer — after Jesus came up out of the water, God identified to the world about His relationship with Jesus, “This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.”

            Jesus is the only way of salvation (2Timothy 2:10) and it is through Him we come to know God (John 14:6-7). After a person obeys the gospel (Mark 16:16; Romans 6:17-18), they must continue to keep His commandments—

And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments. He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. But whoso keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected: hereby know we that we are in him. He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked (1John 2:3-6).

            A person may admit that Jesus is the Savior of the world. It is one thing to admit that Jesus is the Savior (Matthew 1:21) and it is another thing to know Jesus as the way of salvation. I may tell you I know who is president of the United States. I know who the president is; however, I do not know him personally. A person may know a hundred people by name, yet not know them in a personal way. By the same token, just being familiar with Jesus and knowing some verses in the Bible that tell us Jesus is the “Son of God” (John 3:16) is not all one must do for their sins to be forgiven.

            Jesus taught, “If ye love me, keep my commandments” (John 14:15). Jesus also told the Jews that they needed to do more than just follow along listening to Him,

Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity (Matthew 7:21-23).

            In conclusion: Jesus said, “And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say?” (Luke 6:46). The only way to know Jesus and to have salvation through Him is to do what He tells us to do. This is plainly spelled out in these passages: John 8:24; Luke 13:3; Matthew 10:32; Mark 16:16; Acts 2:38.