What It Means To Be Saved

A lot happened, and still continue to happen in the life of a saved person. Unfortunately, not everyone who claims to be saved quite understand what it means to be saved. It is crucial for the believers to understand their true identity in Christ.

Our salvation has divine purposes, and there are lots of good things attached to it. In this article, I have outlined 14 of the many blessings that accompanied our so great salvation.

Who is A Saved Person?

Salvation is the best thing that can happen to you in this life. But not everyone who claim to be saved knows what it means to be saved. Many people, including some preachers, have come up with different definitions of what it means to be saved.

The Wrong Ideas

Some believe you’re saved because you practice holiness. Some think they are saved because they joined a local Church or even get actively involved. Some believe they are saved because they were born in Christian homes.

For others, it is based upon how they eat, dress, or speak. Someone once told me that he is saved because he is obeying the 10 Commandments. Although some of the above are good for Christians, none of them can make (or keep) anyone saved.

A saved person, a Christian, is not a person who has merely repeated a prayer or walked down an aisle or has accomplished any of the above. The reason we needed to be saved was not because we weren’t doing the above works. It was because we have sinned. Salvation is having your sins forgiven. We are saved from the punishment of sin – eternity in the lake of fire.

The True Christian

Therefore, a Christian is a person who has fully trusted in Jesus Christ’s completed work as the only solution for the problem of his sins. He is the one who believes that Christ’s accomplishment, His death, burial and resurrection, was done in his stead and for his sins.

The Christian must also realize that Christ alone is the solution for sin, nothing else can add to the forgiveness we received by accepting Christ’s sacrifice, not even our best works (John 3:16; Acts 16:31; Ephesians 2:8–9; Titus 3:4-5). This is what it means to believe in Jesus Christ, and trusting in Him alone.

We are saved from the punishment of sin – eternity in the lake of fire.

A Christian is a person who has fully trusted in Jesus Christ’s completed work as the only solution for the problem of his sins.

The Bible says that when we believe and put our faith in Christ’s completed work, our sins are forgiven and the Holy Spirit comes in to us to take His residence in our lives. (See Ephesians 1:7, 13-14; Colossians 1:14). This is the beginning of the Christian life.

Christian Sanctification

Christians must also realize that sanctification is the work of the Holy Spirit in the life of the believer whereby the Holy Spirit works in the believer to conform him to the image of Christ. Sanctification is not accomplished by the believer’s performance, the believer is only to yield and submit himself to the leadership and the work of the Holy Spirit.

Christians must also realize that sanctification is the work of the Holy Spirit in the life of the believer whereby the Holy Spirit works in the believer to conform him to the image of Christ.

Some Necessary Background Details

But before I go over what it means to be saved, or what happened to you when you got saved, I will like to cover our former identity, and what happened to us when we came to Christ. You cannot talk about this too much. It is the gospel after all!

In this lesson, I will speak less of my own words. This is a very important topic, so I will let the scriptures do the talking. The Word of God is “spirit” and is “live” (John 6:63). Therefore get ready to read lots of scripture verses, the Bible has a lot to say about this topic.

Sanctification is not accomplished by the believer’s performance, the believer is only to yield and submit to the leadership and the work of the Holy Spirit.

The list below is not exhaustive, but it will give you an idea of your real identity in Christ.

Our Identity Was that We Were Dead in Our Sins

1. Dead in Sin

Ephesians 2:1, 5 And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins;  5 Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved

Colossians 2:13 And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses

1 Timothy 5:6 But she that liveth in pleasure is dead while she liveth.

2. Worldliness and Carnal Desires

Ephesians 2:2-3 Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience: 3 Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others.

Titus 3:3 For we ourselves also were sometimes foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving divers lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, and hating one another.

Lastly they were “without God in the world.” Idols they had without number, and the modern world has them too, though in a different form. God was, and is, unknown. To sum it all up: they had the flesh and the world, but they had no Christ, no privilege, no hope and no God. We too were in exactly the same plight. – F.B. Hole’s Notes on Ephesians 2:12

Darkness with Blindness of the Heart

Ephesians 4:17-19 This I say therefore, and testify in the Lord, that ye henceforth walk not as other Gentiles walk, in the vanity of their mind, 18 Having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart: 19 Who being past feeling have given themselves over unto lasciviousness, to work all uncleanness with greediness.

Ephesians 5:8 For ye were sometimes darkness, but now are ye light in the Lord: walk as children of light:

2 Corinthians 4:3-4 But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost: 4 In whom the god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.

As Fallen Man, Our Moral State Was Horrible

Take a look at the following Scriptures taken from both Testaments of the Bible: Genesis 6:5; 1 Kings 8:46; Psalm 14:1-3; 39:5; Jeremiah 17:9; Matthew 18:11; Mark 7:20,23; Romans 1:21; 2; 3:9-19; 7:24; 8:7; John 3:6; 1 Corinthians 2:14; 15:22; 2 Corinthians 3:14; 4:4; Galatians 5:19-21; Ephesians 2:1-3,11; 4:18-22; Colossians 1:21; Hebrews 3:13; James 4:14.

God loves us too much to leave us dead in the dark. He’s had our salvation in mind since the very beginning.

Genesis 12:1-3 Now the LORD had said unto Abram, Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and from thy father’s house, unto a land that I will shew thee: 2 And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing: 3 And I will bless them that bless thee, and curse him that curseth thee: and in thee shall all families of the earth be blessed.

Jeremiah 31:31-34  Behold, the days come, saith the LORD, that I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel, and with the house of Judah: 32 Not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day that I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt; which my covenant they brake, although I was an husband unto them, saith the LORD:

33 But this shall be the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel; After those days, saith the LORD, I will put my law in their inward parts, and write it in their hearts; and will be their God, and they shall be my people. 34 And they shall teach no more every man his neighbour, and every man his brother, saying, Know the LORD: for they shall all know me, from the least of them unto the greatest of them, saith the LORD: for I will forgive their iniquity, and I will remember their sin no more.

See also: Hebrews 8:9-13.

1. We Were Dead with Christ

Our old identity and old life from our ancestry was dead.

Romans 6:6  Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin.

Ephesians 2:1  And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins

Galatians 2:20  I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.

Galatians 5:24  And they that are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.

Galatians 6:14  But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world.

2. We Were Quickened Together with Christ

A completely new creature is risen with Christ with a brand new identity in Christ.

Galatians 6:15  For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision, but a new creature.

Ephesians 2:1, 5-6   And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins; 6 Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) 6 And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus

Colossians 2:13-15   And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses; 14 Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross; 15 And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it.

Colossians 3:3  For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God.

1 Peter 1:23  Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God, which liveth and abideth for ever.

Romans 6:4-5   Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. 5 For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection:

Romans 7:6   But now we are delivered from the law, that being dead wherein we were held; that we should serve in newness of spirit, and not in the oldness of the letter.

Romans 8:10   And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of righteousness.

3. We Get a New “Life”

This is the spiritual life which comes from Christ (John 1:4). Christians got their lives through Christ, and no longer through their human ancestry, or ancestors.

John 3:16  For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

John 10:10, 28, 29  The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly. 28 And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. 29 My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father’s hand.

2 Corinthians 5:17  Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.

Ephesians 2:10    For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.

Ephesians 4:24   And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.

1 Corinthians 6:19-20   What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? 20 For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s.

Colossians 2:9-15  For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily. 10 And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power: 11 In whom also ye are circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ:

12 Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead. 13 And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses;

14 Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross; 15 And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it.

See also: 1 John 4:9; 5:11; 6:51,57; 11:25-26; 14:6; Colossians 3:3-4

Below are 14 of the many blessings of salvation. The number ‘7 ‘ they say is the number of perfection, when you have double seven, you have double perfection:

1. We Get the Free Gift of salvation

Romans 3:24-25   Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: 25 Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God

Ephesians 2:8-9  For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.

2. We Are Forgiven, Justified and Redeemed

To be justified means is to be declared righteous before God. All those who have received Jesus as their personal Savior are declared righteous by God. The word redeemed refers to the truth that we were purchased, a price was paid. We were purchased at the cost of Christ’s death and are preserved blameless. For more on free justification, please refer to The Imputed Righteousness.

Romans 5:1  Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ:

Romans 8:1-2  There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. 2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.

1 Peter 1:18-19  Forasmuch as ye know that ye were not redeemed with corruptible things, as silver and gold, from your vain conversation received by tradition from your fathers; 19 But with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot

2 Timothy 1:9-10  Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began, 10 But is now made manifest by the appearing of our Saviour Jesus Christ, who hath abolished death, and hath brought life and immortality to light through the gospel

3. We Are New Creatures

A saved person has been born again – being born again is a process whereby new life is imparted to the one who believes. A Christian is not simply an “improved” version of the person; a Christian is an entirely new creature. He is now “in Christ.” Christ indwells the believer through His new nature and His Holy Spirit: 2 Peter 1:4.

Romans 8:9   But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.

2 Corinthians 5:15-17   And that he died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto him which died for them, and rose again. 16 Wherefore henceforth know we no man after the flesh: yea, though we have known Christ after the flesh, yet now henceforth know we him no more. 17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.

Ephesians 4:24   And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.

Galatians 6:14-15   But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world. 15 For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision, but a new creature.

4. We Got the Holy Spirit

The very moment we believed the gospel of salvation, we received the promised the Holy Spirit.

John 7:38-39  “He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water. 39 (But this spake he of the Spirit, which they that believe on him should receive: for the Holy Ghost was not yet given; because that Jesus was not yet glorified.)

Romans 8:9-11   But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his. 10 And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of righteousness.

11 But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you.

1 Corinthians 6:19   What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own?

1 Corinthians 12:13   For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.

Romans 8:11   But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you.

See also: 1 Corinthians 3:16; 2 Corinthians 5:5.

5. We Are Sealed With the Holy Spirit

At the moment of belief, the believer is marked and sealed with the Spirit (the earnest of the Spirit), who was promised to act as a deposit to guarantee our heavenly inheritance. The Holy Spirit is the One who seals the believer, and He Himself is the seal.

2 Corinthians 1:21-22   Now he which stablisheth us with you in Christ, and hath anointed us, is God; 22 Who hath also sealed us, and given the earnest of the Spirit in our hearts.

Ephesians 1:13-14   In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that Holy Spirit of promise, 14 Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory.

Ephesians 4:30   And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.

6. We Are Now Children of God

The believers became the children, friends, and chosen people of God at the moment of salvation. This is what it means to be born again and is evidenced by the Holy Spirit Who indwells us.

Romans 8:15-17   For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father. 16 The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God: 17 And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.

Galatians 4:4-7   But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law, 5 To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons.

6 And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba, Father. 7 Wherefore thou art no more a servant, but a son; and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ.

1 Corinthians 4:15   For though ye have ten thousand instructors in Christ, yet have ye not many fathers: for in Christ Jesus I have begotten you through the gospel.

Nothing can separate a child of God from the love of the Father:

Romans 8:35-39  ” Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? 36 As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter. 37 Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us.

38 For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, 39 Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Nothing can remove a Christian from God’s hand:

John 10:28-30  And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. 29 My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father’s hand. 30 I and my Father are one.

God guarantees eternal life and maintains the salvation that He has given us:

Philippians 1:6  Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ

Philippians 2:12-13  “Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. 13 For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.”

7. We Are Complete in Christ

John 1:16   And of his fulness have all we received, and grace for grace.

Romans 8:1-2   There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. 2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.

2 Corinthians 5:19-21   To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation. 20 Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ’s stead, be ye reconciled to God. 21 For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.

Colossians 2:9-15   For in him dwelleth all the fulness of the Godhead bodily. 10 And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power: 11 In whom also ye are circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ:

12 Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead. 13 And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses;

14 Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross; 15 And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it.

Hebrews 5:9   And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him;

See also: 1 Corinthians 1:30; Ephesians 2:1-10; 1 John 4:9.

8. We Live With Boldness and Confidence in Him

Ephesians 3:12   In whom we have boldness and access with confidence by the faith of him.

Philippians 1:6   Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:

2 Timothy 1:7   For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.

Hebrews 4:16   Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.

9. We Are Glorified With Christ

Everyone who has come to Christ by faith are justified and also glorified. Pay attention the tenses in the following passage. This is one of the many good news of salvation – the fact that we no longer have to worry about our future destiny.

Many of the blessings of salvation will not become a reality until after this life, at the same time, we already have them. The full promise or blessings of justification will be fulfilled when Christians receive their glorified bodies in heaven, the process begins at Rapture.

Romans 8:29-31  “For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren. 30 Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified. 31 What shall we then say to these things? If God be for us, who can be against us?” Amazing and very comforting!

10. We Have Eternal Life Now

Eternal life is a GIFT, the promise of spending time with God in heaven forever . This promise is granted or fulfilled immediately after a person puts his faith in Christ’s completed work. Not after having done some works, change mode of dressing, pray, fast, impress his pastors or the ministry, etc.

In John 5:24 Christ specifically says he that believes has everlasting life and will not come into condemnation, similar to Romans 8:1. There is no such thing as a Christian losing his/her salvation. This is the folly of those who do not understand the gospel of salvation or what it means to be saved.

Eternal life is a GIFT, the promise of spending time with God in heaven forever. This promise is granted or fulfilled immediately after a person puts his faith in Christ’s completed work. Not after having done some works, change mode of dressing, pray, fast, impress his pastors or ministry, etc.

John 3:36   He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.

John 6:35-40  And Jesus said unto them, I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst. 36 But I said unto you, That ye also have seen me, and believe not. 37 All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out.

38 For I came down from heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of him that sent me. 39 And this is the Father’s will which hath sent me, that of all which he hath given me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up again at the last day.

40 And this is the will of him that sent me, that every one which seeth the Son, and believeth on him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day.

John 6:47  Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me hath everlasting life.

Romans 6:23  For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Hebrews 5:9  And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him;

Hebrews 9:12   Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us.

See also: John 10:27-29, 14:16, Romans 8:35-39.

11. We Are Members of His Body

Christ now lives in you and you in Him. The indwelling of the Holy Spirit makes this a reality.

Ephesians 3:4-6  Whereby, when ye read, ye may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ) 5 Which in other ages was not made known unto the sons of men, as it is now revealed unto his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit; 6 That the Gentiles should be fellowheirs, and of the same body, and partakers of his promise in Christ by the gospel:

Ephesians 5:30   For we are members of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones.

Colossians 1:27   To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory:

12. We Get Heavenly, Spiritual, and Other Blessings

2 Corinthians 8:9   For ye know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, that, though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, that ye through his poverty might be rich.

Ephesians 1:3-4, 11-12   Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ: 4 According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love:

11 In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will: 12 That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ.

Ephesians 2:5-7   Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) 6 And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: 7 That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus.

Colossians 1:27   To whom God would make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles; which is Christ in you, the hope of glory:

13. We Are Saved to Serve

There are three extremes today with regards to salvation and Christians living. Some believe that their performance, righteousness and holiness grant them their salvation. Others believe that they are saved by grace alone but they have to do such and such in order to keep their salvation.

And there are others who claim to be saved by grace alone but also believe that they can now do whatever they like, commit any amount of sin, and they will still be saved. None of these three positions lines up with the Scriptures.

The Scripture teaches that we are saved by grace alone, through faith alone, and in Christ alone. You get saved by putting your faith in Christ’s completed work. Do you realize that even the “faith” through which you are saved is not your own? The Bible calls it the “gift of God” (Ephesians 2:8).

After we’re saved, we are called unto good works, we are saved to serve Christ and not to serve sin. Therefore good works do not grant anyone salvation. The desire to live right is usually part of the results of being saved. See Ephesians 2:8-10:

“For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9 Not of works, lest any man should boast. 10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.”

Notice that good works come after we’ve been saved and not before salvation.

Romans 12:1-2   I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. 2 And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

1 Corinthians 6:19-20   What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? 20 For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s.

Galatians 6:7-9   Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. 8 For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting. 9 And let us not be weary in well doing: for in due season we shall reap, if we faint not.

2 Timothy 2:19   Nevertheless the foundation of God standeth sure, having this seal, The Lord knoweth them that are his. And, Let every one that nameth the name of Christ depart from iniquity.

See also: Job 28:28; Psalm 34:14; 37:27; Proverb 3:7; Matthew 5:14; 12:33; Romans 12:9; 2 Corinthians 7:1; Ephesians 1:12; 4:17-22, 25, 32; 5:1-11; Colossians 2:7; 3:1-3,5-10,12; 2 Timothy 2:19; Titus 2:11-14; 1 Peter 1:13-19; 2 Peter 1:4-10; 3:14; 1 John 2:28; 3:7-10; Jude 20.

14. Were Are Always Saved

This is a very important point which has already been made in #10 above. For a Christian to lose salvation, eternal life would have to be redefined. You cannot lose your salvation, for the simple truth that your salvation was not accomplished (or maintained) by your works, your own righteousness, or any of your accomplishments.

John 6:35-40   And Jesus said unto them, I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst. 36 But I said unto you, That ye also have seen me, and believe not. 37 All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out.

38 For I came down from heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of him that sent me. 39 And this is the Father’s will which hath sent me, that of all which he hath given me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up again at the last day.

40 And this is the will of him that sent me, that every one which seeth the Son, and believeth on him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day.

John 10:27-30   My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: 28 And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. 29 My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father’s hand. 30 I and my Father are one.

Hebrews 9:26-28   For then must he often have suffered since the foundation of the world: but now once in the end of the world hath he appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself. 27 And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment: 28 So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation.

Hebrews 10:11-14   And every priest standeth daily ministering and offering oftentimes the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins: 12 But this man, after he had offered one sacrifice for sins for ever, sat down on the right hand of God;

13 From henceforth expecting till his enemies be made his footstool. 14 For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified.

See also: John 10:10; 20:31; 3:3,5; 6:63; Romans 6:4-6; 7:6; 8:9-10; 8:2; 11:29; Galatians 3:26-29; 6:15; Ephesians 2:1,5-6,10; 4:24; Colossians 2:13-15; 3:1,3; 1 Peter 1:23; Hebrews 10:10-14; 7:25,27; 9:26-28; Titus 1:2; Psalm 51:10; Ezekiel 11:19; 18:31; 36:26.

So what happens when a Christian sins? Christians should not sin, you should do your best to avoid everything with which God could be displeased.

Ephesians 4:30  And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.

1 John 2:3-6 And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep his commandments. 4 He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. 5 But whoso keepeth his word, in him verily is the love of God perfected: hereby know we that we are in him. 6 He that saith he abideth in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked.

1 John 5:3  For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous.

But when a Christians sins, he should remember his advocate, Jesus Christ, and confess his sins to restore fellowship with God.

1 John 1:9-10  If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. 10 If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.

1 John 2:1-2  My little children, these things write I unto you, that ye sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous: 2 And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world.

It is extremely crucial to live the life that is pleasing to God. This is part of what we are called into. Total yielding to the Holy Spirit will help you in this area. But if at anytime you fall into sin, return to God immediately, confess your sins and plead for more grace.

Hebrews 4:16 Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.