Earn Salvation?
No one can earn Salvation. For it is a free gift that one can obtain without money or price (Isaiah 55:1; John 4:14; 2 Corinthians 9:15; 1 John 5:11). The Bible declares, “For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 6:23). This “free gift” (Romans 5:15) no one deserves.
While it is free to human beings, it was bought by the blood of God’s Son. “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life” (John 3:16). The gift of everlasting life, which Adam and Eve lost by their sin (Romans 5:12), will be given back to all who are willing to accept it and prepare themselves for it by dedicating their souls to God and His service (Romans 2:7; 6:22; Revelation 21:4; 22:2, 3).
We are saved by grace through faith, which is “the gift of God” (Ephesians 2:8), when we accept the sacrificial death of God’s Son on our behalf. It is through the act of trusting ourselves to Him that we are saved, not that faith is the means of our salvation, but simply the channel (Romans 4:3). Salvation is not of works (Galatians 2:16; Romans 4:4). Therefore, no man will ever be able to boast of himself, “I have earned salvation.” One purpose of the plan of salvation is to show in the ages of eternity the riches of God’s grace (Ephesians 1:7).
Daily Relationship with Christ
Christ is the “resurrection, and the life” (John 11:25). He is the Creator of life, who grants eternal life to all who place their trust in Him (John 6:40). God’s gift of everlasting life is not only given through Christ, but it is in Christ, its an abiding source, and can be received only through a daily relationship with Him, who is “our life” (Colossians 3:4).
First the believer receives instant justification which is forgiveness of all past sins by faith (Romans 5:1). Then, he walks daily with Christ through the study of His Word and prayer that God’s character may be reflected in his life (2 Corinthians 3:18). This daily process is called Sanctification. And it is a long-life experience.
Works to earn salvation are not a cause, but rather an effect of salvation (Romans 3:31). The service and obedience that the justified and reborn believer is able to give to the Lord are not because of his own goodness but are the fruit of the Holy Spirit, whom God has sent to dwell in him (Galatians 5:22,23). The fruit of the Spirit is not the natural product of human nature, but of a power wholly outside of man. All what the believer needs to do is to allow the Spirit of God to work within him (Philippians 2:13) and daily abides in Christ (John 15:4).
In His service,
BibleAsk Team
