Salvation
Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved. (Acts 4:12)
The one thing that everyone searches for is a higher purpose; something that is above the mundane course of their lives. In that search, some find spirituality while others find truth. When one comes to Christ, they are often told about “salvation”: that it is what everyone needs and wants. However, what is salvation? What does it mean and how does a child of God apply it in their lives? The answer is possibly slightly different from what most people believe.
Salvation is defined as being the “preservation or deliverance from harm, ruin, or loss.” Theology adds the concept of sin and its consequences for believers. This interpretation is directly from the Bible, in both the word and its translation. The Word of God says in the book of Titus that : “For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people. It teaches us to say ‘No’ to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age.” In terms of translation, the ancient Hebrew word of ישע (said Y-Sh-Ah) can be translated into words such as “save, rescue”.
An understanding of salvation must come with an understanding of what we need saving from. The simple answer comes from James 4:4 :
You adulteresses, do you not know that friendship with the world is hostility toward God? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God.
What James is saying in this passage is stark in nature, yet tends to be overlooked. Basic theology and bible study presents Satan and his agents of evil as the enemies of Yahweh, however, it’s deeper than that. The enemy is the ruler of this world (John 14:30, 1 John 5:19), certainly so, but he does not have control over anything, as presented by the temptation of Yeshua in the desert (Matthew 4:1 - 11). To have a friendship with the World is to renounce the Holy One of Israel and become His enemy. But we become more than just his enemy, because by turning our hearts over to the enemy, we are breaking the covenant with GOD - like that of a marriage - and become adulterers and idolaters. Salvation is to be saved from sin and the clutches of the enemy.
Acts 4:12 tells us that no other name has been given to mankind for salvation: that is the name of Yeshua. That very same name, which means “The Lord Saves” (Matthes 1:21, NLT) was meant to save you by having faith in Him. The name that He holds is what saves us (Revelations 19:13 - 16) Having faith in Him means you have faith in His word as your Lord and Savior. In that same vein, you follow his precepts, concepts, laws and values. You show love to all people, even your enemies. You do not break His laws nor do you shun your neighbor. Salvation comes by embracing Yahweh and creating a bond in which you never want to leave His presence.
Salvation comes from reading the Scriptures carefully and diligently (John 5:49), but that you also apply them to your life through actions, attitudes, thoughts and words. That means that the reader is spending time with Yahweh, moments of intimacy and truthfulness. There is life in those moments where the focus isn’t on saving oneself from the clutches of the enemies, but in revelling in the presence of the Lord. It’s why David said that he found pleasure when told that he was going to the Temple (Psalms 122:1), as it was during those moments that he knew that His Lord was His salvation.