Tag: Salvation

Courage to speak the truth

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JEFF TURNER

The idea of sharing one’s faith can make people feel eager, while others feel uneasy or even afraid. These reactions are not unusual. The New Testament speaks to these feelings and addresses them directly. In Romans 1, Paul says he is not ashamed of the gospel.

While some believers would agree with Paul, they also admit that speaking about their faith can make them nervous. There is an important difference between feeling anxious and feeling ashamed. Anxiety can come from the difficulty of the message itself. When speaking to someone who is trying to feel good about their life, the message of the gospel brings a hard truth. It tells them that they are sinful and stand guilty before God, facing judgment. This is not an easy way to begin a conversation, and it can make anyone feel uneasy.

When talking about salvation, there must be an understanding of what a person is being saved from. It is not about finding meaning or purpose. It is about rescue from eternal judgment because of sin. .

One helpful way to begin may be to focus first on that good news. A simple opening, such as telling someone that you have something important and good to share, can make the first step easier. From there, the deeper parts of the message can follow. In the end, the call is to move past fear and speak with honesty.

The message is serious, but it also carries hope, and that is worth sharing.

For God has not given us a spirit of [a]timidity, but of power and love and discipline.
Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord or of me His prisoner, but join with me in suffering for the gospel according to the power of God,

2 Timothy 1:7–8

The challenge of salvation

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JEFF TURNER

Some popular gospel materials suggest that becoming a Christian is simple. They often present it as a choice that requires little effort or commitment, just a quick prayer, and a person is considered saved. While salvation is fully a gift of God’s grace and not earned by works, this does not mean it is easy to follow Christ.

Jesus said that entering the kingdom requires serious dedication. He described the way as narrow and said that not everyone who desires it will succeed. Following him involves denying oneself, taking up a cross, and being willing to give up one’s life for his sake. Jesus also warned that a divided heart, one that looks back or clings to earthly attachments over God, is not ready for his kingdom.

Salvation cannot be accomplished by human effort alone; it is impossible without God. Yet, with God, what seems impossible becomes possible. The gift of salvation is a work of God in the life of a person who responds with willingness, persistence, and a heart fully committed to following Jesus.

And looking at them, Jesus said to them, “With people this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”

Matthew 19:26

Living out the salvation God has given

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JEFF TURNER

Every Christian understands that salvation is a gift from God. It is not gained by effort, good deeds, or personal merit. We are saved by grace. Yet in Philippians 2:12, Paul writes, “Work out your salvation with fear and trembling.” At first glance, these words may seem to suggest that salvation depends on human effort. They may even sound as if fear plays a part in earning eternal life. But that is not what Paul means.

The key is to read the verse carefully. Paul does not say to work for salvation. He says to work it out. In other words, believers are to express outwardly what God has already done within them. Salvation is already theirs. It has been received. Now it must be shown in daily life.

This command is a call to live in a way that matches the change God has made in the heart. It is about obedience, worship, and honour toward God. A Christian should take sin seriously and should respect the Lord with a humble spirit.

The words “fear and trembling” speak of deep reverence. They describe a heart that understands who God is and responds with respect. In Book of Isaiah, the Lord says He looks to the one who is humble, who has a broken spirit, and who trembles at His word. This kind of attitude shows true faith.

The next verse in Philippians explains that God is already at work within the believer. He is the One who gives both the desire and the strength to do what pleases Him. Because God has acted within, the Christian now responds in faithful obedience.

Salvation is not earned through effort. It is revealed through a life that reflects the grace already given. As James writes, “Faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.” James 2:17

Salvation is not complicated

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TEXAS GOSPEL VOLUNTEER

I think it’s human nature to think that if something is profound, it has to be complicated. But our relationship to God is not. If salvation depended on our ability to understand, would that mean that a mentally challenged person could never be saved? Salvation has nothing to do with our ability.

No one can hide their past from God. Every action and thought is known to Him, yet His love still reaches out with an offer of rescue.

The first truth is that every human being has sinned. Scripture says all people fall short of God’s glory and none are naturally righteous. Admitting this is a good starting point.

The next truth is that Jesus Christ declared that He alone is the path to the Father. God showed love to the world by sending His Son so that believers would not perish but receive everlasting life. The purpose of His coming was salvation, not condemnation, yet those who refuse to believe remain under judgment. Jesus also said a person must be born again to enter God’s kingdom. Without accepting what He did, each person would bear the penalty of sin, which leads to spiritual death and separation from God.

God does not desire anyone to end in Hell. Christ died to give eternal life as a gift. Sin earns death, but God offers life through Jesus Christ. This life cannot be purchased or earned because the price was already paid by His sacrifice.

Here’s the part that goes against what our human nature tells us. We are not saved by something we do. It’s about not rejecting. A person has to stop trusting their own goodness and accept Jesus as Lord and Saviour. The promise in the bible is that if someone confesses Him openly and believes God raised Him from the dead, that person will be saved. Anyone who calls on the Lord will be saved.

“For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: not of works, lest anyone should boast.” — Ephesians 2:8–9


God’s promise and Israel’s future

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JEFF TURNER

Some people today speak with strong views about what God plans to do with Israel. A key place in the Bible for this discussion is Romans chapters nine through eleven. In these chapters, Paul explains that God keeps His promises and does not turn away from what He has said before. Near the end of chapter eleven, Paul writes that all Israel will be saved. This line has often caused confusion.

The Bible is clear that there is only one way to receive salvation. A person is saved by faith in Jesus Christ. This rule does not change for any group of people. When Paul speaks about Israel being saved, I believe he is pointing to a future time when Israel as a nation will turn to Christ.

The book of Revelation gives more detail about this future. It describes one hundred forty-four thousand Jewish believers, made up of twelve thousand from each of the twelve tribes. These believers will come to faith in Jesus and will share the gospel with both Jews and Gentiles across the world. Revelation speaks about them more than once.

Revelation chapter eleven also speaks of a strong spiritual turning in Jerusalem. When two witnesses preach there, the city responds by giving glory to God. The Old Testament prophets add that during Israel’s salvation, two-thirds will face judgment, while one-third will remain. That group will receive the blessings of Christ’s kingdom.