Soteriology, the post of salvation, is one of the most critical doctrines in Christian theology. To fully grasp the biblical teaching on salvation, it is essential to practice sound hermeneutics—interpreting Scripture in context, comparing passages, and allowing the whole counsel of God’s Word to shape our understanding. In this article, we’ll explore what the Bible teaches about human choice in salvation, the nature of grace through faith, the universal scope of Christ’s sacrifice, and the transformative effect of true salvation that ensures believers remain in Christ eternally.
The Nature of Salvation: A Choice Rooted in Grace
From the beginning, God has given humanity the ability to choose. This principle is evident throughout Scripture, emphasizing human responsibility and God’s call to decision. In the Old Testament, Joshua challenged Israel: “And if it seems evil to you to serve the Lord, choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve” (Joshua 24:15, NKJV). Similarly, the prophet Elijah called Israel to decision on Mount Carmel: “How long will you falter between two opinions? If the Lord is God, follow Him; but if Baal, follow him” (1 Kings 18:21).
In the New Testament, Jesus invited individuals to make a choice. He said in Matthew 16:24-25, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me. For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it.” These words make it clear that while salvation is a gift, it requires the active response of the individual to turn from self and follow Christ.
Salvation by Grace Through Faith Alone
The cornerstone of soteriology is the truth that we are saved by grace through faith. Ephesians 2:8-9 proclaims, “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.” This passage emphasizes that salvation is entirely the work of God’s grace, not something we can earn or achieve through our own efforts.
Paul also reinforces this truth in Titus 3:5-6: “Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit, whom He poured out on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Savior.” Salvation is a work of God’s mercy, received by faith and resulting in the regenerating work of the Holy Spirit.
The Universal Sacrifice of Christ and the Choice to Receive It
The Bible teaches that Jesus’ atoning sacrifice was made available to all, yet not all will accept it. 1 John 2:2 states, “And He Himself is the propitiation for our sins, and not for ours only but also for the whole world.” This means that Jesus’ death was sufficient for the sins of every person, fulfilling the demands of God’s justice.
However, while Christ died for all, only those who choose to place their faith in Him and love Him will receive the benefits of His atonement. John 3:16 emphasizes the conditional nature of salvation: “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” The invitation to believe is open to all, but the outcome depends on a person’s response.
Romans 10:9-10 reinforces this idea: “That if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.” Salvation requires a relational response—trusting in Christ and aligning one’s heart and life with Him.
Atonement as the Restoration of Relationship
The atonement made by Christ restored the potential for a broken relationship with God to be healed. Colossians 1:21-22 explains, “And you, who once were alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now He has reconciled in the body of His flesh through death, to present you holy, and blameless, and above reproach in His sight.” Through Jesus’ sacrifice, the chasm caused by sin was bridged, allowing us to come into right standing with God.
However, this relational status depends on our decision to accept this reconciliation. Romans 5:1 states, “Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.” It is God’s grace that makes peace possible, but our faith is the means by which we accept and enter into that peace.
The Cost of Following Jesus: Dying to Self and New Life
Throughout the Gospels, Jesus called His followers to consider the cost of discipleship. Luke 14:27-28 records Jesus saying, “And whoever does not bear his cross and come after Me cannot be My disciple. For which of you, intending to build a tower, does not sit down first and count the cost, whether he has enough to finish it?” This emphasis on counting the cost highlights that salvation is not just a momentary decision but a life-altering commitment to follow Christ.
Dying to self is essential in salvation. Galatians 2:20 declares, “I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.” This transformation means that the believer receives a new heart and new desires, created by the work of the Holy Spirit.
2 Corinthians 5:17 affirms this radical change: “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new.” This new creation status is why a true believer cannot lose their salvation. The new nature given to a believer is one that desires God and will not ultimately turn away from Him.
Eternal Security: Why We Cannot Lose Our Salvation
The Bible assures us that once we are in Christ, we are secure in Him. John 10:28-29 provides this assurance: “And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand. My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of My Father’s hand.” This promise speaks to the strength and security of our relationship with God.
When we are born again, we receive a new heart (Ezekiel 36:26), and God’s Spirit indwells us, making us His own. This transformation ensures that we remain in Him, not through our own effort but through the sustaining power of the Holy Spirit. Philippians 1:6 reassures believers: “Being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ.”
The eternal nature of the life given to us means it cannot be lost. 1 John 5:11-12 states, “And this is the testimony: that God has given us eternal life, and this life is in His Son. He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life.” The life given by Christ is eternal, not temporary, and the new creation within the believer will always desire God and His ways.
The Practical Outworking of Salvation
Practicing proper hermeneutics when studying soteriology involves recognizing the balance between divine sovereignty and human responsibility. Salvation is initiated by God’s grace but requires our response of faith. Jesus’ invitation to “take up your cross” (Matthew 16:24) and “die to self” emphasizes that while salvation is free, it leads to a life of commitment and transformation.
This commitment is not without its daily challenges, but it is sustained by the power of the Holy Spirit who indwells every believer. Romans 8:13-14 explains, “For if you live according to the flesh you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live. For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God.” The Spirit enables believers to live out the new life they have received, bearing fruit and growing in Christlikeness.
My Final Thoughts
Soteriology teaches that salvation is by grace through faith, rooted in a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. The Bible consistently shows that humans have a choice in accepting or rejecting God’s offer of salvation. Christ’s atoning sacrifice was sufficient for all, but it is effective only for those who choose to trust in Him and love Him. This relational status with God is secure, leading to a transformed life where believers are a new creation, never to turn back.
The transformative power of salvation is why we can confidently say that we are eternally His. With new hearts, new desires, and the indwelling Holy Spirit, we are kept by God’s power and will never be separated from His love (Romans 8:38-39). As we walk in this truth, may we count the cost, take up our cross, and live fully for the One who has given us eternal life.
