AT ITS CORE, SALVATION means “deliverance,” especially of humanity, from sin’s power and effects.1 From a biblical perspective, its root-meaning encompasses “width,” “spaciousness,” “freedom from constraint,” “deliverance,” and more. The Exodus of the Jews from Egypt can be considered an example of salvation. Relative to New Testament references, salvation (sotēria) also indicates deliverance, preservation, hints of wholeness, soundness, and health.
Much of God’s grace is ongoing and touches on countless areas of daily existence, from restraint over runaway evil to inspiring and life-saving creativity; from governmental and other institutions in human society to numerous examples of love and kindness; from the selfless actions of our emergency first-responders to the soldiers who stand between us and our mortal enemies.
It is the endless and unmerited grace of God that fuels each of these interventions and benevolent actions. Goodness begins with God. God wishes all to prosper and to come to forgiveness. Although God’s grace restrains sin in this present age, this does not change anyone’s foundational disposition to sin, nor does it in any significant manner purify fallen human nature or negate the consequences of sin.2
God pours out grace on undeserving sinners because He wishes that no one should suffer eternal death and damnation. David recognized the compassion God has for all He has made, and His forbearance of judgment proves He clearly takes no pleasure in doling out punishment. Ezekiel 33:11: “As I live, says the Lord GOD, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but that the wicked turn from his way and live; turn back, turn back from your evil ways; for why will you die, O house of Israel” (italics mine).
scope and intention
Salvation began to work in us the moment we recognized our need for a Savior and came to believe in the atoning death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Our old self died with Jesus, and we rose with him as new creations. Salvation moves outward, operating through election, regeneration, and conversion. God’s plan of redemption that puts salvation into motion—an incredibly perfect and powerful plan for redemption built on the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
Now, responsibility changes hands. We become answerable to God relative to the plan of salvation.
Regeneration in its simplest definition is moving from the state of being dead in trespasses and sins to being made alive in Christ unto righteousness. J.I. Packer describes regeneration (i.e., “new birth”) as an inner recreation of fallen human nature through the power of the Holy Spirit.3 This new birth necessarily involves effective change in our disposition from sin and lawlessness to one of obedience, trust, and love. When there is true repentance (a “turning away from” past rebelliousness, unbelief, and abject disobedience) there is opportunity for spiritual growth.
God, being rich in mercy and possessing great love for us, makes us “alive” together with Christ, to the extent that He shows us the immeasurable riches of His grace and kindness in Christ (Eph. 2:4-7).
There must be a decisiveness in our putting on this “new birth.” Assuming we have admitted to our lost state, we must now choose complete renewal. This involves recognizing that we were buried with Christ by baptism into death. When Christ walked out of the grave we walked out with Him. We have been raised from the dead by the glory of the Father so that we too might walk in newness of life. In deciding to live “a new life” through Christ, we are choosing righteousness. And yet, this choice must be made new each day as we go forth in obedience.
Steven Barto, BS Psy, ThM
Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture references contained herein are from the English Standard Version (ESV).
References
1 R.E.O. White, “Salvation,” in the Evangelical Dictionary of Theology (Grand Rapids: Baker Academic, 2017), 768.
2 Wayne Grudem, Systematic Theology (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1994), 663.
3 J.I.Packer, “Regeneration,” in the Evangelical Dictionary of Theology (Grand Rapids: Baker Academic, 2017), 734-35.