Children of Light

Authored by Ethan Speer

The Pillars of Salvation:

Salvation is the cornerstone of the Christian faith, by the grace of God, extended to humanity through Jesus Christ. It is an invitation to understand not only who God is but who we are, how God saved us, our response, and how we ought to live in light of eternity. In this article, I hope to explain these truths in five foundational pillars, with each point of course supported by Scripture as nothing is more important than showing truth from the Word of God.

1. Understanding WHO God Is:

To get a hold of the essence of salvation, we must first understand who God is. He is holy, sovereign, omniscient, omnipresent, and omnipotent.

1.1 God’s Holiness: God’s holiness means He is set apart from sin and impurity. His holiness is perfect and unmatched. Isaiah 6:3 (CSB) shows this when the angels declare:
“Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of Armies; his glory fills the whole earth.”
God’s holiness demands justice and righteousness, which makes His grace and salvation even more amazing.

1.2 God’s Sovereignty: God reigns over all creation, exercising complete authority in all He does. Proverbs 19:21 (CSB) affirms this:
“Many plans are in a person’s heart, but the Lord’s decree will prevail.”
His sovereignty assures us that all things work according to His purpose and His plan/will, including our salvation.

1.3 God’s Omniscience: God is all-knowing. He knows every thought, intention, and action before it occurs. Psalm 139:1-2 (CSB) says:
“Lord, you have searched me and known me. You know when I sit down and when I stand up; you understand my thoughts from far away.”

1.4 God’s Omnipresence: God is present everywhere at all times. Psalm 139:7 (CSB) declares:
“Where can I go to escape your Spirit? Where can I flee from your presence?”
We can’t hide from God’s presence, and His nearness to us should bring us to our knees in awe of Him; but also, in loving comfort and accountability knowing He’s always there even in our darkest times.

1.5 God’s Omnipotence: God is all-powerful, and nothing is impossible for Him. Jeremiah 32:17 (CSB) speaks to this:
“Oh Lord God! You yourself made the heavens and earth by your great power and with your outstretched arm. Nothing is too difficult for you!”
This power is demonstrated in creation, judgment, and salvation.

1.6 God’s Justice: God is just, meaning He always acts in perfect righteousness. His justice demands that sin be dealt with according to His holy standard. Deuteronomy 32:4 (CSB) declares:
“The Rock—his work is perfect; all his ways are just. A faithful God, without bias, he is righteous and true.”
God’s justice ensures that He can’t overlook sin. It must be punished, either through the sinner or through Christ’s atonement.

1.7 God’s Wrath: God’s wrath is His righteous response to sin and evil. It is not arbitrary or uncontrolled but a measured response against what defies His holiness and consequence to our sins. Romans 1:18 (CSB) says:
“For God’s wrath is revealed from heaven against all godlessness and unrighteousness of people who by their unrighteousness suppress the truth.”
God’s wrath is a reminder that He takes sin seriously, and apart from Christ, humanity stands condemned under this wrath.

2. Understanding WHO We Are as Fallen Creatures (Total Depravity):

In contrast to God’s holiness is our human condition. Since the fall (Genesis 3), all of humanity is tainted by sin and separated from God. This doctrine is known as total depravity, meaning that sin affects every part of who we are. We are born into it.

Romans 3:23 (CSB) makes this clear:
“For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.”
Every human being, without exception, is tainted by sin and is incapable of attaining God’s standard of righteousness on their own.

Ephesians 2:1-3 (CSB) further explains our spiritual deadness:
“And you were dead in your trespasses and sins in which you previously walked according to the ways of this world…We too all previously lived among them in our fleshly desires, carrying out the inclinations of our flesh and thoughts, and we were by nature children under wrath as the others were also.”
Sin has not only separated us from God, but it has made us enemies of God, deserving of His wrath.

3. Understanding HOW God Saved Us Through Jesus Christ:

In our condition, God provided salvation through Jesus Christ. This is the heart of the gospel, the good news.

3.1 Who is Jesus? Jesus is the Son of God, fully God and fully human. He is the only one who could bridge the gap between a holy God and sinful humanity. John 1:1, 14 (CSB) identifies Jesus as the Word, God incarnate:
“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God…The Word became flesh and dwelt among us.”
Jesus, as God in the flesh, lived a perfect life and offered Himself as the perfect sacrifice for our sins.

3.2 The Atonement: Jesus died in our place to satisfy the wrath of God. 1 Peter 2:24 (CSB) says:
“He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, so that, having died to sins, we might live for righteousness. By his wounds, you have been healed.”
Christ’s death was substitutionary; He took the punishment we deserved.

3.3 The Resurrection: Jesus’ resurrection defeated sin and death. 1 Corinthians 15:3-4 (CSB) declares:
“Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures.”
The resurrection is the cornerstone of our faith, providing hope for eternal life.

4. Understanding OUR Responsibility in All of This:

While salvation is a gift of God, it requires a response. Faith and repentance are the two necessary responses to the gospel.

4.1 Repentance: Repentance involves turning away from sin and directing our whole lives toward God. Acts 3:19 (CSB) calls for this:
“Therefore, repent and turn back, so that your sins may be wiped out.”
Repentance is more than regret; it is a complete change of direction in one’s life.

4.2 Faith: Faith is trusting in Jesus alone for salvation. Ephesians 2:8-9 (CSB) says:
“For you are saved by grace through faith, and this is not from yourselves; it is God’s gift—not from works, so that no one can boast.”
Faith is placing your confidence in the finished work of Christ on the cross and His resurrection.

4.3 Confession: Romans 10:9 (CSB) makes clear that we must also confess our faith:
“If you confess with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.”
Confession is the outward expression of our inward faith.

5. Understanding HOW We Should Live Now in Light of Eternity:

Once we are saved, our lives must reflect our new identity in Christ. The Bible gives clear instruction on how we ought to live as believers, with eternity in mind.

5.1 New Creation: 2 Corinthians 5:17 (CSB) reminds us that salvation transforms us:
“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has passed away, and see, the new has come!”
We are no longer enslaved to sin but are called to live in righteousness and holiness.

5.2 Living by the Spirit: Galatians 5:16 (CSB) exhorts us:
“I say, then, walk by the Spirit, and you will certainly not carry out the desire of the flesh.”
The Holy Spirit empowers us to live a life that is pleasing to God, bearing fruit that reflects His character.

5.3 Living with Hope: As believers, we live with an eternal hope. Colossians 3:1-2 (CSB) urges:
“So if you have been raised with Christ, seek the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things.”
Our priorities change from the temporary (the earthly) to the eternal, as we await the return of Christ and the fulfillment of God’s promises.

Conclusion:

Salvation is the most amazing and transformative gift we can receive, offered freely by a holy and sovereign God through His Son, His ONLY Son, Jesus Christ. As we understand who God is, who we are, how we’ve been saved, our responsibility to respond, and how to live in light of eternity, we grow deeper in our relationship and walks with the Lord and walk in the fullness of His grace. I pray that we let these pillars guide us into a life of faithfulness, gratitude, and hope, as we await the return of our Savior.