Salvation Offered Freely
For God loved the world in this way: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.
John 3:16 (CSB)
John 3:16 is one of the most quoted Bible passages of all time. People often recite this passage when asked for their favorite Bible verse. Children learn this verse at a young age. The essence of this verse teaches us that salvation is freely offered to us and is not something we can earn or achieve. When we speak of the free offering of salvation, we refer to the individual freedom for people to follow Christ by faith alone.
Salvation is offered, not forced. The Crusades were a way of compelling individuals to accept Christ. In the name of Christianity, rulers wielded the sword to demand that unbelievers follow Him. This attempt to impose salvation undermines the essence of freedom. The Lord does not coerce anyone into accepting Christ. Instead, salvation is presented as a free offer to receive.
Salvation is received freely and is not predetermined. Election and free will run in harmony like parallel railroad tracks. They remain separate in our mental concept but come together in perfect harmony in the long run. Both terms find biblical support. However, we understand that salvation is a gift offered to all, but not everyone receives the gift. Thus, the gift of salvation is not predetermined in our lives; instead, it is a decision made through free will to accept the gift of salvation offered by and through Christ.
Salvation is through Christ alone. The freedom regarding salvation is not the freedom to believe whatever one desires or thinks will lead to salvation. This freedom is solely found in accepting Christ as Lord and Savior. True freedom is only found in Christ alone.
Salvation is accepting Christ as Lord and Savior. It is a gift received freely. Salvation occurs when Christ is received as Lord and Savior. This truth means that we must freely receive Jesus as the one and only Savior and freely surrender to Jesus as our Lord and Master.
QUESTIONS
Why do people live as if salvation is earned instead of recognizing salvation as a free gift?
How would you explain the importance of free will in salvation?
