Originally, written by Charles H. Spurgeon: Updated to modern English by Darren Hewer.
“He will save his people from their sins.” Matthew 1:21
Some people, if asked how they understand “salvation,” will reply, “Being saved from hell and taken to heaven.” This is one result of salvation, but it’s not even close to all that it is.
It’s true that our Lord Jesus Christ saves His people from God’s coming wrath. He saves us from the condemnation which their sins bring on us. But His triumph is far more complete than this. He saves His people “from their sins.” When Christ saves a man or woman, He casts Satan from his throne, and will not let Satan be their master anymore.
No one is truly Christian if sin still reigns over their body. Sin will still remain in us, but it will never have control. There will be a battle within ourselves for control, with our old nature fighting against the new law and the new spirit which God has given us. But sin will never get the upper hand. Christ will be Master of the heart, and so sin must be removed from heart, mind, and action.
Jesus, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, will prevail. Satan, the dragon, will be cast out. Is sin still reigning within you? If you continue to engage in unrepentant sin, your heart is unchanged, and if your heart is unchanged you are not saved. If the Savior hasn’t sanctified you, renewed you, and given you a hatred of sin and a love of holiness, He has done nothing discernible in you. The grace which does not make a life more beautiful is a worthless counterfeit. Christ saves His people, not in their sins, but from them, since “without holiness no one will see the Lord” (Hebrews 12:14). “Everyone who confesses the name of the Lord must turn away from wickedness.” (2 Timothy 2:19)
If we continue to cavalierly engage in sinful behaviors, how can we hope to be counted among His people? Lord, save me now from all evil, and enable me to honor my Savior in both my heart and my life.
Question: How would you explain “salvation” to someone who asked you what it means?
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