Salvation:
Christianity is a religion of salvation. The word salvation carries the general idea of safety, deliverance, security, rescue, or forgiveness of sins. The basic theme of the Bible is that God (Yah) wants to save mankind. In Gen.6: 5, we see that God (Yah) saw the wickedness of man and He wanted to destroy man whom He created. However after the flood, in Gen.9: 11, He declared that He would never again destroy man by the floods.
Starting from here, in the Old Testament God (Yah) wants to bring the erring man into fellowship with Him. He sent His prophets and messengers to show men the error of their ways and bring them to repentance and also closer to Him.

In the New Testament God (Yah) speaks of a new birth and a new life. Jesus Christ (Yahshua Messiah) said that man needs a new center to his being, a new heart and a new life. IICor.5: 17,’If any one is in Christ, he is a new creation.’
 Eph.4: 24,’ put on the new man which was created according to God (Yah).

Salvation means deliverance from sin. Sin separates us from God (Yah) but salvation is union with God (Yah). Salvation assumes that man is a sinner. Rom.3: 23,’for all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God (Yah). So salvation requires a savior. The name Jesus Christ (Yahshua Messiah) means Savior.

Whenever we talk of salvation we use the words Repentance, Regeneration, Faith, Justification and Sanctification. What do they mean?

Repentance means a change of mind. The mind is the seat of life. Salvation comes when a man is willing to believe and accept. The message of John the Baptist was a call to repentance. Matt.3: 1. Mere regret for sins or mistakes committed is not sufficient. Repentance means turning   back from sin. The prodigal son (Luke15) made a clean break with his past when he ‘came to himself’.

Regeneration is an act of God (Yah) for man that brings change in all aspects  of life or being born again. The instrument that God (Yah) uses to bring regeneration is outwardly symbolized by baptism.

Faith means being realistic and recognizing that there is a higher power. Heb.11 is all about great heroes of faith. Faith does not ask questions, it does not proceed to analyze things logically. Faith means recognizing the existence of God (Yah) and having confidence in the word of God (Yah). God (Yah) Himself is the source of faith (Heb.12: 2).

Justification. Justification is a new relationship with God (Yah). God (Yah) looks upon the forgiven person as right and just and that he is free from the sin and guilt that held him in bondage. Rom.3: 24 ‘ being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Jesus Christ (Yashua Messiah)

Sanctification means to be made inwardly whole. The agent of this sanctification is the Holy Spirit (Rom.15: 16, II Thes.2: 13)

There can be no salvation until there is repentance or a change of mind.

Salvation is only through the Messiah. “Nor is there salvation in any other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved” (Acts.4: 12)

Salvation helps us to see others in the light of God (Yah). Our attitude to life should be that of Paul, ’He must increase but I must decrease ‘. (John.3: 3). Paul, who wrote most of the epistles in the New Testament and was one of the greatest of the apostles, still considered himself the least of the apostles (I Cor.15: 9)
Salvation changes our attitude towards God (Yah), towards men and towards our self. We understand God (Yah)’s purpose in our lives. We begin to see people in a new light. Salvation brings a new approach to life, a positive attitude, to get right with God (Yah) and with man.

Salvation means His life throbbing and reflecting in us so that others will see Him in us and through us. (Matt.5: 16).”Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father which is in heaven”.
Salvation means forgiveness. “And forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors” (Matt.6: 12)
The joy of salvation compels us to go out and tell others about salvation (Acts.1: 8, Matt.10: 32)
Salvation brings to life a new peace and joy. (John.14: 27). Peace I leave with you. My peace I give to you, not as the world gives do I give you. It is the peace which passes all understanding. (Phil.4: 7).

This salvation is free, it is your today, if you just repent of your sins and ask God (Yah) to forgive you! You too can experience a new life in the Messiah.                                                      

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