Salvation refers to the freedom that is obtained when God rescues someone from the bondage of sin and makes them part of His family. It is a deliverance achieved only through Jesus Christ, who died in our place so that we can be reconciled to the Father. This statement often raises questions:

If I try to live in a moral way, of course God would accept me, right? Questions like this assume that the Lord saves us according to our behavior. But Romans 3:10 says, "There is no one righteous, not even one." In God's eyes, even our virtuous acts, on their own, are nothing more than filthy rags (Isaiah 64:6).

Won't the Lord accept because of His goodness? God is good and merciful, but also just. He will not overlook sin, no matter how small we think it may be.

If we serve in our church or help others in God's name, aren't we part of His family? Good works do not solve our sin problem or reconcile us to God. Only Christ does (Romans 5:1). Good works are an important result of salvation, not the basis for it.

Salvation is a work of God's grace and not a product of our effort.

Suggested Prayer: Dear Heavenly Father, thank You for saving me when I was lost and hopeless. Today, because of Your undeserved gift, I have an eternal hope, and my hope is called Jesus. Let me take the message of salvation and Your love to others. I pray in Jesus' name, Amen.

1.    Ephesians 2:8-9 (NIV).

Today's Encounter was written by: Rosina N.