Salvation is a broad term that describes God's process of bringing all things to his intended goal. God desires loving fellowship with everyone, but human sin separates us from the Creator. Sin is an act of wrongdoing or, more generally, a state of alienation from God. Sin disconnects us from God's will, his favor, his blessings, and his divine order. Because of the problem of sin, human beings experience continual degradation and deterioration in our minds and bodies and ultimately, we die. More seriously, though, we face the possibility of eternal destruction and separation from God when the problem of sin remains unaddressed.
The very name "Jesus" basically means, "God is Salvation." Jesus is the Savior who delivers us from sin and its effects of alienation and destruction. The good news for all humankind is that Jesus Christ died for our sins and rose from the dead. When he died on the cross, Jesus received the awful punishment that you and I deserved for our sinfulness. When he rose from the dead, Jesus stripped Satan, death, and the grave of their power and secured for us a new and eternal life with God.
Yet, salvation involves more than simply gaining entry into heaven. Salvation is "rescue from all that diminishes or destroys human beings in our spirits, minds, bodies, relationships, and other aspects of our humanity." Salvation involves everything that makes us whole and includes, not only the forgiveness of sins, but other blessings such as physical healing, peace of mind, and divine protection.
Salvation requires faith in the Person and Work of Jesus Christ. We must confess with our mouths that Jesus is Lord and believe in our hearts that God raised Jesus from the dead to be saved. Put another way, salvation requires full acceptance of who Jesus is and what Jesus accomplished. If we commit ourselves to becoming Christ-followers in our thoughts, words, and actions, we can enjoy the fullness of God's salvation in this life and the world to come.
