“The best of who we are is made possible by the best of what God has done for us. He has chosen us. He has set us apart for His holy purpose. And He loves us with an intentional and dedicated love that won’t quit on us.” ~ Lysa TerKeurst
I recently listened to a podcast episode discussing the idea of being regospeled. In the episode, listeners were reminded of the equation to being saved:
Faith in Jesus + nothing = Salvation
This means no religious preferences, works, moralism, or denomination are added to the holy equation; it’s all about believing in Jesus.
Tears ran down my face as I thought about this concept, the reality that being saved is solely reliant on my faith in Christ, not my perfect actions, the church I attend, my religious practices, or my moral beliefs. What saves me from my sin and makes me a Christian is simply knowing Jesus.
As a Christian, I am expected to follow Biblical wisdom and uphold Biblical values, but I must not let my personal preferences get in the way of truly living out my faith. I need to practice following Christ’s example and not get caught up in the religiousness of Christianity.
At the end of the day, knowing Jesus is the common denominator to every fraction of salvation.
What Salvation Meant to Me
I’ve been a Christian for as long as I can remember. My parents diligently raised me in church and that early foundation has kept me deeply rooted in my faith.
As I’ve matured in my relationship with Christ, I’ve realized how fear used to govern my perception of salvation and being a Christian.
Here are three false beliefs I used to believe:
1. God Expects Perfection
Growing up, I knew Jesus loved me, and I valued my personal relationship with Him. However, I formed a fearful perspective of God. I viewed God as authoritative, judgmental, and angry, specifically when I sinned or made a mistake. I thought that in order to be accepted as a Christian, I had to act a certain way and make right choices to make God happy. I knew that Jesus was the ultimate example of living a righteous life, but I also knew He was perfect, and I assumed God held that same perfectionistic standard for me.
Romans 3:23-24 says, “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.” This scripture speaks so clearly to this idea of being a “perfect Christian.” Because of sin, no human will ever meet the standard of holiness, that’s why God has extended His grace to us through salvation. I don’t need to be disappointed in myself for not being perfect; I need to accept the grace of redemption and live freely justified through my faith. God didn’t make me to be perfect; He made a way for me to know Him despite my imperfections.
"I don’t mean to say that I have already achieved these things or that I have already reached perfection. But I press on to possess that perfection for which Christ Jesus first possessed me." Philippians 3:12
2. God Condemns Every Mistake
Over the years, I’ve struggled with condemnation over the littlest things because of this negative belief in pleasing God:
Oops, I forgot I was fasting sweets and ate a piece of chocolate. How could I be so stupid!? I hope God forgives me…
Am I raising my hands enough during worship? I don’t want God to think I don’t love Him.
Ugh, I forgot to read my Bible today. I’m the worst. I hope God isn’t too mad at me…
I used to think that every religious practice was ordained to please God, and I was expected to uphold them without fault. I’d experience a fearful conviction every time I made a minor or legitimate mistake sustaining these habits, and I’d become disappointed in myself for not being the “perfect” Christian I thought I was supposed to be. However, I now realize that although these practices honor God, they’re meant to deepen my relationship with Him, not cause me condemnation.
John 3:17 says, “For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.” The whole reason for Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross was to make a way for us to be saved and build a relationship with Him. God’s intention was never to place us on earth and test us to see if we were “good enough” and then condemn us if we didn’t reach His expectations. His purpose for creating us was simply to love us and provide a way for us to know Him through salvation. While we are expected to live lives of righteousness, God does not judge our every mistake out of disappointment to punish us. It is our job to repent of wrongdoings, and as we learn to make wise choices, God is there with open arms to support us. He intends not to condemn our human flaws, but to love us through every lesson.
"And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns." Philippians 1:6
3. Redemption is Earned
Although I knew salvation was unearned, I struggled to comprehend how the redemption of my worst mistakes could be freely forgiven because I didn’t deserve it. I thought that because of my unworthiness, Jesus was a limited Savior, meaning that He would save me once through my immediate salvation, but I’d need to work hard to please God and earn His consistent forgiveness. I didn’t understand that it was out of God’s love for me that He wanted to rescue me from my sins and failures, not in anything I could do, achieve, or earn.
Ephesians 2:4-5 says, “But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made
us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved.” Love, mercy, and GRACE are what make us worthy of redemption. Letting go of control, releasing doubts of inadequacies, and accepting God’s unconditional love,
unending mercy, and unmerited grace are the ways that we learn to live truly free through salvation.
When referencing 1 John 3:20, the Amplified Bible Study Notes stated: “God is more compassionate and understanding toward us than we sometimes are toward ourselves.” That truth hit me HARD because I am often much more critical of myself than God ever is toward me. I must remember daily to receive His love, mercy, and grace and walk in the freedom He’s given me through my undeserved salvation.
"If our hearts condemn us, we know that God is greater than our hearts, and he knows everything." 1 John 3:20
What Salvation Means to Me
Now, I’m understanding more about who Jesus really is and how I’m meant to live a life in tandem with Him. The more I study God’s Word and learn about the intricacies of scripture, the more I understand how truly loving, compassionate, and caring God really is.
Here are three essential qualities about God that I've discovered:
1. God is Loving
For me, it’s nearly impossible to understand the totality of God’s love. First John 4:9-10 explains, “This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins.” Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross was the ultimate example of true love. Love isn’t about our abilities, how perfect our faith is, or how complete our love is toward God; it’s all about accepting salvation and believing in Jesus as Lord and Savior of our lives. When we commit to trusting God and building a personal relationship with Him, His unconditional love is lavished on us without exception. Even when we mess up, go through hard things, or struggle with insecurities, God still loves us. God created us out of love to be loved, and nothing we do or don’t do will ever change that.
*To learn more about God's love, read my previous post here:
“God doesn’t love you to use you. God loves you because you are you. You are not a product to use. You are a person to love.” ~ K. J. Ramsey
2. God is Compassionate
As I learn more about scripture and reflect on my own life’s journey, I’m discovering the kindness of God. Even when we don’t see, understand, or realize how He’s working things for good in our circumstances, chances are that in the end, God was safeguarding us from something, protecting us from further damage or heartache. God’s plans are always for good, and it has been in the release of my control and the reliance on His faithfulness that I can see His kindness the most.
In Isaiah 54:10, it says, “’Though the mountains be shaken and the hills be removed, yet my unfailing love for you will not be shaken, nor my covenant of peace be removed,’ says the LORD, who has compassion on you.” This means that even when disaster surrounds us, God is still faithful. He won’t let anything eliminate His compassion toward us, we must simply trust in His faithfulness.
*To learn more about God's provision, read my previous post here:
"It is God who arms me with strength and keeps my way secure." Psalm 18:32
3. God is Caring
The concept of self-care can be conflicting. It involves taking time to prioritize healthy habits and adapt lifestyle routines. Yet, God wants us to care for ourselves—mind, body, and soul. He desires for us to be filled, fed, and taken care of to live thriving lives.
Jesus says in Matthew 11:28-30 “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.” When we take time not only to physically rest but emotionally rest in His presence, we find true care for our well-being.
David says in Psalm 23:1-3, “The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he refreshes my soul.” God wants to care for us, He has moments of rest intended for our health and recovery. We must learn to practice being still, listen for God’s guidance, open our hearts to hear through Scripture, and receive the care He desires to provide for our lives. Prioritizing self-care is essential to our spiritual health and relationship with God.
*To learn more about the importance of rest, read my previous post here:
“Sometimes rest is the most courageous work of all. We often must be still in order to realize we are vessels God will always fill.” ~ K. J. Ramsey
The Truth About Salvation
The more I learn about my faith, the more I realize the peace, freedom, and satisfaction I feel in being saved. Knowing Jesus is so much more than religious strictures, church attendance, and moral beliefs. Those aspects are a part of a Christian lifestyle, but what being a Christian simply means is believing in Christ and letting Him love you in return. Romans 10:9 states: "If you openly declare that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved." Once you believe in Jesus and begin reading the Bible and learning more about Him through scripture, everything in life falls into place. Being a Christian doesn't exempt you from hardships and struggles, but it does provide God's mercy, grace, and power to protect, encourage, guide, and restore your life. Practicing faith in Christ isn't easy, but understanding how much He cares for you can make all the difference.
"For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord." Romans 8:38-39
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