Scripture Reading: Ephesians 2.
Memory Verse: For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast. Ephesians 2:8-9
Article 6. MAN’S SALVATION
We believe that man is in a state of corruption and cannot save himself. Therefore God, in His love for mankind, has provided a way of salvation for him through Jesus Christ. It is a free gift received through faith and repentance and cannot be earned. The gift of salvation leads to a life of conversion, repentance, baptism and receiving of the Holy Spirit, the very heart and mind of God. (Mark 16:16; Luke 3:21-22; John 3:16; Acts 2:38; Hebrews 8:10)
Introduction:
When Adam and Eve were placed in the garden of Eden they were given everything necessary to lead a happy and prosperous life. They not only had everything to fulfill their physical needs but they could communicate on a personal basis with their Heavenly Father.
As a result of Adam and Eve’s fall, they not only lost all this for themselves, but they doomed the whole human race to destruction. Adam and Eve’s sin must have been a great disappointment to God, He had created them in His own Image as His greatest creation only to have them disobey Him. Things have not changed much since then. Men and women are still rejecting His ways to follow their own inclinations.
But God loves us enough that, in spite of our worthlessness, He sent His only begotten Son as a sacrifice to redeem us through His divine rescue mission, His Plan of Salvation. The only things He asks is that we believe and accept His gift and then follow His leading.
He has prepared a kingdom for those who will accept His gift.
And I heard a loud voice from heaven saying, “Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people. God Himself will be with them and be their God.
And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away.” (Revelation 21:3-4)
Throughout eternity God will dwell among His people. This is what Adam and Eve forfeited, but through Jesus Christ our Lord paradise will be restored for the saints.
When we attempt to comprehend all the blessings in store for us we feel like David.
“When I consider Your heavens, the work of Your fingers, The moon and the stars, which You have ordained, what is man that You are mindful of him, And the son of man that You visit him? For You have made him a little lower than the angels, And You have crowned him with glory and honor. O Lord, our Lord, how excellent is Your name in all the earth! (Psalm 8:3-5, 9)
Lesson Questions:
- Why is man in need of a savior? Malachi 4:1; Romans 9:32; Ephesians 2:12.
- With whom does salvation originate? Psalm 3:8; 98:2-3.
- What motivates God to grant salvation to sinful man? John 3:16; Romans 5:6-10.
- What part does Jesus play in our salvation? Hebrews 2:9, 14; 1 Peter 2:21-25.
- What must we do to receive this blessing? Acts 2:37-38; 16:30-31.
- What do we receive when we accept Jesus as our Savior? Romans 4:3-7; 5:10-11.
- What does the blood of Jesus do to our sins? Psalm 51:7, 10-11; Isaiah 1:18.
- What other benefits do we receive? Psalm 51:12; Isaiah 12:2-3; John 14:27; 2 Thessalonians 3:16.
- What should this cause us to do? Psalm 107:2; Luke 8:38-40.
- Should salvation bring about a change in the way we live? Romans 6:11-14; 1 John 3:2-7.