“IT’S ABOUT WHAT CHRIST HAS DONE”

5 “he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit,”

Titus 3:5

While many people try to get their one-way tickets to heaven by way of good deeds, the Bible is quite clear on the issue.

In our previous blog, we learned that the satisfaction of God’s demands for holiness and righteousness is found in the person and work of Jesus Christ. Here’s a similar yet distinct biblical truth about salvation that you and I should grasp.

It’s not about what we do; it’s about what Christ has done.

Some people believe that they are saved because of what they do, i.e., church attendance, baptism, or good works. They may even point out that their sincerity is proof of their salvation. They are convinced that their deeds should guarantee them a place in heaven. 

But that’s not how the Bible lays out God's demands for inclusion into His family. We are not saved by church attendance, baptism, or good works but by trusting in Jesus Christ alone. Instead, we are saved by putting our ultimate faith in Christ and believing that He died for us.

Consider our verse of the day. Paul tells us plainly that God saved us not because of what we do (works done by us in righteousness) but because of the goodness of His heart (His own mercy). Paul stresses his point in his letters to the Romans (4:4-5), Galatians (2:16-17), and Ephesians (2:8-9). The most important fact in his argument is that salvation is never the outcome of our personal achievement but God's sovereign grace. 

Our sins, no matter how many or few they are, warrant eternal punishment because we have violated the word of an eternally holy God. But the Lord, being rich in mercy, made a way for us to be made right with Him.

I must stress that it is trusting in Christ alone that can save us. Jesus is our only way to heaven. Some are not sure of their salvation, likely because they haven't turned to Christ. If eternal life were dependent on Christ plus something we have done, we could never be sure of our salvation. We can try, but we will always find ourselves missing the mark. Jesus made it clear that He is the way, the truth, and the life. Outside of Him, we have no chance of entering the heavenly gates. As the Owner of the house, He gets to say who comes in and who doesn’t.

Pursue the Savior today!

Photo by Yann Allegre on Unsplash