Salvation is the most important word on our list. Yes, there is the physical element to the word which indicates “salvation” from physical harm or danger, but in the overwhelming majority of cases, it means “salvation” from both the penalty and power of sin, and in heaven, from the very presence of sin. The penalty of sin is separation from God, both in this present life as well as in eternity; and the power of sin involves the overwhelming influence that sin has in our lives. Salvation delivers us from both. And so, we might ask, “How can we experience this salvation?”

First, we must realize that salvation comes through a person, and that person is Jesus Christ. Even at His birth, Simeon held Jesus in his arms on the Temple steps and proclaimed,

“My eyes have seen Thy salvation” (Lk. 2:30). 

And then shortly after Jesus’ resurrection and ascension, Peter proclaimed near those same Temple steps,

“There is salvation in no one else; for there is no other name under heaven that has been given among men by which we must be saved (Acts 4:12).

Second, Jesus provides salvation through His death on the cross. Here is what the writer of Hebrews says,

“Without the shedding of blood, there is no forgiveness of sins (Heb. 9:22).

And it isn’t just anyone’s blood, but only Jesus’ blood, as Peter says,

“We have been redeemed…with precious blood, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot, the blood of Christ (1 Pet. 1:18-19).

And the Apostle Paul says, 

“God demonstrated His love for us in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us (Rom. 5:8).

Third, salvation involves the forgiveness of our sins. It seems obvious that if we are to be “saved” from the penalty of sin, then sin needs to be forgiven and even removed, which Christ does. The Apostle Paul says, 

“In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our sins according to the riches of His grace…” (Eph. 1:7; Col. 1:4).

Furthermore,

“…He has made us alive together with Him, having forgiven us all of our sins” (Col. 2:13).

Finally, the pathway to the forgiveness of sins comes through both repentance and faith. Repentance involves changing our minds about our need for God and for salvation, and faith involves believing in what Christ accomplished through His death on the cross. Luke records Jesus giving His disciples this final commission,

“Go and proclaim to all nations the need for repentance for the forgiveness of sins” (Lk. 24:47).

 And then Paul says,

“For by grace you have been saved through faith, that not of yourselves, salvation is a gift of God, not of works so that no one can boast” (Eph. 2:8-9). 

It is by faith alone, and not through religious ritual or good works, that we are saved. Faith is the assurance that if we confess our sins to Jesus, he will forgive us. As the Apostle John says,

“If we confess our sins, He is faithful to forgive our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 Jn. 1:9).

Indeed, salvation is undoubtedly the most important word in our vocabulary. Salvation comes only through the shed blood of Jesus Christ who died on the cross so that our sins can be forgiven. And that forgiveness is extended to us through repentance and faith, as we change our minds about our need for God and believe that Jesus died for our sins, being confident that if we confess our sins He will forgive us and cleanse us. If salvation has not yet come your way, then maybe it’s time to repent and believe in all that Jesus has done for you. Just ask Him to forgive and cleanse you, and He will grant you the gift of salvation.