Do we contribute anything to our own salvation?

Answer

There are two ways to consider this question—from a practical perspective and a biblical perspective. First, from a practical standpoint, let’s assume that an individual contributes something to their salvation. If that were possible, who would receive the credit in heaven? If we were to somehow contribute to our own salvation, it would imply that we take the credit. Consequently, this would diminish God’s acknowledgment. If it were feasible to contribute something to attain heaven, individuals upon their arrival would be congratulating themselves for what they did to achieve heavenly citizenship. These same individuals would be proclaiming, “Praise myself, I played a part in my own salvation.” It is inconceivable that individuals in heaven would be honoring themselves rather than God. God declared, “I will not share my glory with another” (Isaiah 42:8;Isaiah 42:11).

From a biblical perspective, humanity contributes nothing to their salvation. The issue with humanity is their sinfulness. Theologians commonly refer to this as “total depravity.” Total depravity is the belief that humanity is inherently sinful and incapable of earning God’s favor. Due to this sinful nature, humanity rejects God (see especially Romans 1:18-32). It is evident that because humanity is completely depraved, they choose to sin, delight in sin, defend sin, and take pride in sin.

Given man’s sinful condition, they require direct intervention from God. This intervention has been provided through Jesus Christ, the mediator between sinful humanity and a righteous God «For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus; », (1 Timothy 2:6). Through Jesus’ sacrifice, mankind can be justified by faith and declared righteous «Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: », (Romans 5:1). By faith, individuals are redeemed, rescued from the bondage of sin, and set free from it (1 Peter 1:18-19).

These actions—substitution, justification, redemption—are entirely provided by God, without any human effort. The Bible emphasizes that mankind cannot contribute to their salvation. Whenever someone believes they can contribute, they are essentially trying to earn their salvation, which contradicts the Bible’s teachings (see Ephesians 2:8-9). Even faith itself is a gift from God. Salvation is a free gift from God «For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.», (Romans 6:23), and since it is a gift, there is nothing you can do to earn it. All you have to do is accept the gift. “But to all who have received him (i.e., Jesus)—those who believe in his name—he has given the right to become God’s children” «But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: », John 1:12.