The Gospel of Salvation stands as the very foundation of Christianity. Among believers, it is acknowledged as the heart of our faith. While many have come to understand salvation through divine revelation, others were reasoned into Christianity and are still growing into a deeper understanding of what salvation truly means.
If, at this point in reading this article, the meaning of salvation is not yet clear to you, we invite you to join us on this journey of revelation into the truth of salvation.
In this first episode of our series on salvation, we will explore its foundation – what salvation truly is and what it is not. As we walk through this journey together, we believe the Holy Spirit will lead you into a clear and life-transforming understanding of salvation.
What is the Basis of Salvation?
The Fall of Man
Pause for a moment and meditate on this word: “All have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23). What made this a reality? The answer is found in the fall of man recorded in Genesis 3.
This leads us to the next question: what was the effect of the sin of Adam and Eve? The answer is again found in Genesis 3:24: “After He (God) drove the man out…”
The origin of mankind’s fallen state and the need for salvation can be traced to that very moment when Adam and Eve sinned and fell short of God’s glory. When God drove them out of the Garden, they became separated from Him.
The next question then is: what was the penalty for our sin? God’s Word gives us the answer in Romans 6:23: “For the wages of sin is death.” This tells us that the penalty for sin is death. But what kind of death is this? Romans 5:12 reveals that it is spiritual death.
Jesus Christ – The Remedy for Sin
Now ask yourself, what is the remedy for this fallen state? Once again, we turn to Romans 6:23 for the answer: “But the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” Jesus, therefore, stands at the very center of salvation. He laid down His life in your place as the sacrificial Lamb for your sins.
He took upon Himself the curse that was upon you and carried it to the Cross. On the Cross, He went for you – to set you free from sin, so you could be forgiven and saved from the penalty that separated you from God. As T.B. Joshua said, “Jesus came to restore the relationship and fellowship between God and man.”
How then can you partake of this grace? Simply believe (John 3:16; Ephesians 2:8; Romans 10:10). This brings us to the ultimate question: what is salvation? According to T.B. Joshua, salvation is being set free from sin and its penalty. When you believe in Jesus Christ as your personal Lord and Savior, you are saved.
Salvation is a Commitment to Jesus
After you have confessed Jesus as your personal Lord and Savior, one vital element remains that completes your salvation – your commitment to Jesus.
Quoting Matthew 16:24, T.B. Joshua taught that salvation is more than simply saying, “Lord Jesus, I am a sinner. Come into my heart. Wash me with Your precious blood. Save my soul today,” and then going on your merry way. He emphasized that salvation is far more than words spoken once. T.B Joshua also noted that this shallow understanding has caused many to question the genuineness of proclaimed salvation.
He went on to explain that salvation is a total and complete commitment to Jesus. The word commitment is rarely taught or practiced today. Love is a matter of the heart. If you love someone, that love is not merely expressed by words from the mouth – it flows from the heart. And when the heart is truly involved, it results in total and complete commitment.
You cannot receive forgiveness of sins from Jesus without making a commitment to Him. I cannot receive forgiveness of sins without total commitment – without surrendering my life to Him.
Salvation, therefore, is not just a momentary confession, but a lifelong surrender to Christ, marked by obedience, devotion, and a heart fully given to Him.
What Is Salvation? Conclusion
Salvation is not merely a confession made with the lips, but a transformation that begins in the heart and is lived out through total surrender. It is the restoration of our broken relationship with God through Jesus Christ, made complete by our commitment to follow Him.
True salvation delivers us from sin and its penalty, but it also calls us into a life of obedience, devotion, and unwavering faith. When we truly believe in Jesus as Lord and Savior, our lives can no longer remain the same – our hearts are bound to Him, and our steps are guided by His will.
Next Chapter – Carrying Your Cross
In the next chapter, we will explore one of Jesus’ most challenging yet life-giving calls: “If anyone would come after Me, let him deny himself, take up his cross, and follow Me” (Matthew 16:24).
What does it truly mean to carry your cross? Is it suffering, sacrifice, obedience, or all of these combined?
Together, we will uncover how carrying your cross is the daily expression of commitment to Christ and the practical outworking of true salvation.