It has been said that Napoleon once stated, “I know men, and I tell you that Jesus Christ was not a man.” By that statement we see his belief that there was more to Jesus than his being a mere mortal. There are many titles ascribed to Jesus, but all are included in the overall concept of his being the Savior. The incarnation of Jesus is a cardinal doctrine of the Bible. It, actually, stands at the center of God’s dealing with sinful man. Everything that pre-dates him looks toward his incarnation, while everything from his incarnation looks backward to this time in history. There are numerous scriptures which present a reason for his coming but, I suppose, none so clearly do so as Luke 19:10, “For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.” Other passages that could be considered are, Luke 2:20-30; John 1:29; John 14:6; Acts 4:12; 5:31; 1 Timothy 1:15; 1 Peter 3:18; 1 John 3:5. All of these present Jesus not as a Savior, but as the one and only Savior.

Having noted this let us consider why it is that man needs a savior. The question can easily be answered by the fact of man’s lost condition. The whole of Scripture teaches this fundamental fact in such passages as Isaiah 59:2; Romans 3:10, 23; Ephesians 2:1-5. The first step in reaching those outside of Christ is the step of their coming to the realization that they are lost. When such is done as it should be, it becomes much like one in a burning building, who you do not need to beg to leave. The realization that the world was lost explains the urgency found in the preaching of the early church.

With this in mind we then need to ponder the question of “from what does Christ save?” The New Testament answers this question clearly. People are lost due to sin! All who have not obeyed the gospel stand condemned before God, no matter how morally good they may be. Consider the words of Paul to the church at Thessalonica, “Seeing it is a righteous thing with God to recompense tribulation to them that trouble you; And to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels, In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ: Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power; (2 Thessalonians 1:6-9). With many the sense of sin is declining. Many, even in the name of religion, have attempted to explain it away. Others look upon sin as being nothing more than a misfortune. The sinner is viewed as a victim rather than as an offender.

So, to who is Christ the Savior? It is important to take note that Jesus saves people from their sins and not in their sins (Matthew 1:21). Jesus died to save all men, but not all will accept it. Only those who believe and obey will do so, as seen in John 3:16; Hebrews 5:8, 9; 10:39. It can be said that man is saved by faith, but it cannot be said that man is saved by faith alone (James 2:20-24). Biblical faith has always produced obedience (Mark 16:16; Acts 2:38; Hebrews 11). Let us understand that the church is composed of the saved, which are those who have submitted themselves in simple obedience to the gospel and have maintained faithful to the gospel (Acts 2:47; 20:28; Ephesians 2:23-25. In the end, the only thing that matters will be whether we have accepted this offer from God. Have you done so?

 

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