What is Salvation?

“The act of saving; preservation from destruction, danger or great calamity; the means or cause of saving, as: His agility was his salvation. Theology: The redemption of man from the bondage and penalty of sin; redemption.” - Grolier Dictionary.

That quote answers the question, so the question here should not be “what is salvation” it should be “Salvation, where do we stand?” It is this point that greatly offends people because most think they are good and fine, and living the best way they can so that they will not go to hell when they die, because; after all, they did the best they could with what life handed them. So when they are told, they are still going to hell, they tend to get a bit angry and tell us that we are judgmental and self-righteous – and what makes us so special that we are saved and they are not?

I can understand their anger because before I accepted the Lord, I would physically chase everyone away who came to the door trying to “sell” me their god. That is what I thought at least, I did not realize that I resented God because I was lost and did not want to be found. I wanted to live my own way and do what I thought was right, and eventually I would work my way to heaven.

Years later I began going to a little non-denominational church and was “saved.” I seemed to have a life-change and hungered for the Word. Today, I can hear a few words of a verse, recall most of it, and easily find where it is located in the Word; so I got the knowledge, but that does not mean I am saved. The parable of the sower comes to mind, AND it comes to mind often, so I am left wondering, am I really saved? Many people doubt their salvation, it is part of the work of Satan to make you doubt your salvation; however, sometimes the doubt is there because deep down, you know you never accepted Christ and yielded yourself to Him. Your life shows it, no one thinks you are different; you look and act like everyone else, you really believe you were saved at one time – but everything seems so wrong. Do you dare question your salvation? Will you be crucifying Christ afresh? Will you be calling Him a liar because you know you repented and you had a life change – maybe you have just become carnal and are a backslider? Probably not.

“18~Hear ye therefore the parable of the sower. 19~When any one heareth the word of the kingdom, and understandeth it not, then cometh the wicked one, and catcheth away that which was sown in his heart. This is he which received seed by the way side. 20~But he that received the seed into stony places, the same is he that heareth the word, and anon with joy receiveth it; 21~Yet hath he not root in himself, but dureth for a while: for when tribulation or persecution ariseth because of the word, by and by he is offended. 22~He also that received seed among the thorns is he that heareth the word; and the care of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, choke the word, and he becometh unfruitful. 23~But he that received seed into the good ground is he that heareth the word, and understandeth it; which also beareth fruit, and bringeth forth, some an hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty;” (Matthew 13:18-23).

So, I am looking at the parable of the sower and remembering back. I always thought I was one of the ones in verse 23, but the more I read it I am leaning to any verse but 19 & 23. Why is this? I know I received it with joy, so the wicked one did not rip it away; and when looking at verse 23, there seems to be very little fruit during the last 30 or so years. Sadly, no fruit – no salvation; I did not want to hear that – what a wasted, hypocritical life! All this time I have been batted about thinking that the Lord is chastening me when in reality, He has been trying to pull the wool off my eyes to show me that I was not His in the first place and need to yield myself to His will.

Thank the Wonderful, Eternal God that He is patient and long-suffering. I can still repent and be forgiven. He will still accept me as His child after all this time if I repent and turn my life over to Him. All these years I really thought I was a Christian and I actually had quite a bit of discernment. I could listen to sermons and spot wrong teaching for the most part, but just like works, knowledge does not save you. Only Jesus Christ can do that; it is only when you accept His death for you and for your sins. It is only when you look at yourself and see a sinner totally undeserving of God’s love and forgiveness that you will seek repentance.

The Holy Spirit draws you and sometimes it takes thirty years after you think you are saved; because there is nothing worse than a false profession. The false professor believes they are saved and no one except the Holy Spirit’s witness can show them the truth and bring them to the Lord. You might be like me and think you are saved, when in fact you are not. If you have any doubts, please look back to see the kind of fruit you are producing; are you living for the Lord or are you going through the motions? You need to repent today, tomorrow may not come for you.