JEFF TURNER, JR.
Have you ever wondered how a person can truly be made right with God? Many believe that by doing good deeds, following religious customs, or adhering to a set of rules, they can earn God’s favor. However, the core message is that salvation is a gift, freely given by grace through faith alone, and not based on anything we do.
Think about Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden. After they sinned, they tried to cover themselves with fig leaves. The scripture in Genesis chapter 3 describes this covering as “tophar,” meaning a self-made, insufficient covering. But God provided a different covering, using the skins of an animal. This covering is described with the Hebrew word “labash,” a full suit provided by God, pointing to a complete and divine covering.
The idea of covering sin is also seen with Noah, who used pitch to “kafar” or cover the ark. Similarly, on the Day of Atonement, the high priest would “kapor” or atone for sin. This highlights the need for a covering for sin. The ultimate covering, it is taught, is through the sacrifice of the “lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world”. Believing in this sacrifice is what “kafar” or covers you.
Consider Abraham, who was declared righteous by faith before he was circumcised. It says, “faith was credited to Abraham as righteousness”. This shows that righteousness comes through faith, not through rituals like circumcision. King David, who lived after the law was given and was circumcised, also spoke of the blessing of the person “to whom God credits righteousness apart from works”. It is written, “blessed are those whose lawless deeds have been forgiven, whose sins have been covered”.
The concept of “blessing” is often mentioned. In the Old Testament, blessing is connected with the presence and grace of God. Psalm 1 says the blessed person delights in the law of the Lord. In the New Testament, blessing is equated with salvation and being close to God.
In contrast, the attempts to earn God’s favor through our own efforts are described in stark terms. Isaiah 64:6 says, “all of us have become like one who is unclean. And all our righteous deeds are like filthy rags.” This imagery describes our attempts to cover our own sins through good works. Our efforts are insufficient and even offensive to God.
The salvation offered is not something to be earned or bought. It is like food your mother cooks for you. It would be an insult to try and pay for something freely given out of love. God’s salvation is not for sale; it is received by faith through grace. Trying to earn it through righteous acts is like offering “filthy rags”.
Religious rituals, such as circumcision, are also not the basis of salvation. Circumcision was a sign and a seal of the righteousness of the faith Abraham already had while he was uncircumcised. Similarly, baptism is a sign of being a follower of Jesus after salvation, not the means of salvation itself. The true seal of salvation in the New Testament is the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. Ephesians chapter 1 speaks of believers being “sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise”.
Finally, salvation is not achieved through following rules or laws. The law’s purpose is to show us our sin, like a mirror revealing a flaw. It cannot save us. The promise given to Abraham was through the righteousness of faith, before the law was given. If salvation were based on the law, then faith would be meaningless. The scripture says, “For this reason it is by faith, in order that it may be in accordance with grace, so that the promise will be guaranteed”. Our salvation is guaranteed because it is based on God’s grace and received through faith. This salvation is a past tense reality – we “have peace with God” and “have been justified”.
Instead of trying to work for salvation or relying on rituals and rules, the focus should be on receiving the free gift of God’s righteousness through faith in Jesus Christ. This is a guaranteed salvation, signed, sealed, and delivered.
