The Four S’s of Salvation, Part 4

July, 2007

by: Tim Carns

As you’ll recall in the most recent issues of the Review we have been discussing the key pillars of the Gospel message using a simple outline which I call “The four S’s of salvation.”

Sovereign

God alone is the all-powerful, holy, Creator King who must be obeyed.

Sinner

All mankind has rebelled against God, deserving the punishment of hell.

Savior

Jesus Christ, the Lord will judge His enemies and save His friends through His death on the cross and resurrection from the dead.

Summons

You must repent from your sins and believe in Christ to be saved.

Central to the Gospel message is the return of Jesus Christ to establish the righteous reign of God through the judgment of His enemies and the salvation of His friends. A full explanation of each of the key points of the Gospel outline above has been presented through a fictitious dialogue we’ve been having with a co-worker, Frank. In this issue we will look at the fourth, and final, point in our Gospel discussion with Frank—Summons.

Let’s return to our dialogue …

The question you need to ask yourself right now is, “What must I do to be saved?” (Acts 16:30) God gives us the clear answer in His Word—you must repent from your sins and believe in Christ to be saved. This answer is both very easy and yet very difficult. It is easy because all that Jesus calls you to do is to believe in Him, that is trust in Him (John 3:16). There are no works to earn God’s favor for your sin (Titus 3:5). There is no way to pay off the debt of sin that you have accumulated. Jesus extends His salvation as a gift—a free gift to any who would receive it. The Bible says, “For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, so that no one may boast” (Eph 2:8-9). God also says, “The wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Rom 6:23). God has done everything for our salvation, and you must believe that to be saved.

While salvation is offered as a free gift you must demonstrate a genuine faith in Christ. It is not a simple intellectual assent to the fact that Jesus came to earth, died on the cross, was buried and then rose again from the grave. A true belief in Christ not only means that you accept these truths as facts and as the basis of your salvation, but also means that you are willing to turn from your sin and do what the Bible calls, “repent” (Matt 4:17; Mark 1:14-15; Acts 2:38). God commands all sinners to stop their rebellion and ask forgiveness for all the sins they have committed (Acts 17:30). You must submit to Jesus as your Lord and believe in His message of salvation through His death and resurrection (Rom 10:9-10). If you do this you will be saved from the punishment of Hell, saved from the power of sin over your life, delivered from the guilt of your sin (Pss 32:5; 103:12), and rescued from the kingdom of Satan (Col 1:13-14).

But friend, if you harden your heart to the gracious call of the Gospel and refuse to repent from your sin and believe in God, then Christ will bring you to submission through judgment at His Second Coming (Phil 2:9-11; Acts 10:42; 17:31). Anything short of true genuine repentance and faith in Jesus Christ will not result in peace with God through Jesus, but instead will bring eternal judgment (Rev 20:11-15). Though Hell exists and all who have sinned against God will go there, it is not His desire that this happen to you (2 Pet 3:9; Ezek 18:32; 33:11). Right now, God is graciously offering you forgiveness and an eternal relationship with Him if you would but turn from your sin and follow Jesus (John 3:16, 36). Choose to bow your knee to Jesus now as His friend or be forced to bow it later in eternal judgment (Phil 2:9-11; Rev 14:6-7).

Don’t put Him off and wait to make a decision (Heb 3:7, 15). Hell is a very real place and there are no second chances after you die (Heb 9:27). God is sustaining your life at this very moment and giving you the opportunity to make that decision. Jesus Christ came to save sinners (Mark 10:45; 1 Tim 1:15-16) and to conquer sin and death. He is giving time for people (including you) to turn from their sins to serve a true and living God (1 Thess 1:9). He wants you to have a relationship of trust in Him (John 17:3) if you would but ask His forgiveness and commit to serve Him as your loving Creator and King.

Frank, it is good news that God will reign (Isa 52:7) in goodness and truth through His Son, Jesus Christ, our Savior. Jesus Christ is coming back again to establish His reign here on this earth (Rev 19:11-21) by judging all of God’s enemies (1 Cor 15:20-28) and saving His friends (those who have received His forgiveness). Jesus’ return in judgment is certain (Acts 17:31; Nah 1:3; Ezek 18:4; Rev 14:6). I plead with you to turn now from your rebellion against God and seek His mercy and forgiveness.

Remember when I told you that God says the greatest commandment in the entire Bible is to love Him with all your heart, mind and soul? The first act of showing true love to God is to beg His forgiveness for your sin. He freely offers it to you right now if you would but believe and commit your life completely to follow Him (Luke 9:23-24). Christ died for sinners like you and me. If you repent and believe you will be saved because His death paid the penalty for your sin. Frank, God commands that you now repent (Acts 17:30). Now that I have told you your problem and God’s solution in Jesus Christ, what will you do?

A note to the reader: If you’ve found this Gospel outline helpful and would like to have it (along with the key passage references) on a laminated business card, then feel free to call the church office and request one.