What does it mean that Jesus saves?

Response

“Jesus saves” is a well-known slogan found on bumper stickers, signs at sports events, and even banners flown by small airplanes. Unfortunately, many who encounter the phrase “Jesus saves” do not fully grasp its meaning. These two words hold significant power and truth.

Jesus saves, but who is Jesus?

Most individuals recognize Jesus as a historical figure who lived in Israel around 2,000 years ago. Nearly all religions acknowledge Jesus as a wise teacher and/or a prophet. While Jesus indeed taught valuable lessons and prophesied, these roles do not fully encompass His identity or explain the method and reason for His act of salvation. Jesus is God incarnate “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.”, (John 1:1,14) “And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen his glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth.”, (John 1:1,14). He took on human form on Earth “By this you know the Spirit of God: every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God.”, (1 John 4:2) as Jesus Christ to offer salvation. This leads to the question: why do we require salvation?

Jesus saves, but why is salvation necessary?

The Bible teaches that every person who has ever lived has committed sins (Ecclesiastes 7:20;Romans 3:23).To sin is to commit any act in thought, word, or deed that goes against God’s flawless and sacred nature. Due to our sin, we are distanced from God and merit judgment from Him. “He who believes in Him is not condemned, but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God” (John 3:18,36). “He who believes in the Son has eternal life; but he who does not obey the Son will not see life, but the wrath of God remains on him” (John 3:18,36). God is completely fair, so He cannot overlook sin. As the infinite and eternal Creator, all sin is fundamentally against Him. “Against You, You only, I have sinned, and done what is evil in Your sight, so that You are justified when You speak and blameless when You judge” (Psalm 51:4), and only an infinite and eternal punishment is fitting. Eternal death—separation from God—is the sole just consequence for sin. This is why we require salvation.

Jesus provides salvation, but how does He accomplish this?

Because we have transgressed against an infinite God, either a finite individual (each of us) must bear the consequences for our sins for an infinite duration, or an infinite Person (Jesus) must bear the consequences for our sins once. There is no other alternative. Jesus saves us by taking our place. Jesus Christ offered Himself on our behalf, paying the infinite and eternal penalty that only He could pay (2 Corinthians 5:21;1 John 2:2). Jesus endured the punishment that we merit in order to rescue us from an eternal fate of separation from God. Out of His immense love for us, Jesus laid down His life. “Greater love has no one than this, that a manLay down his life for his friends.” (John 15:13), paying the penalty that we had earned but could not pay. Three days later, Jesus rose from the dead, demonstrating that His death was indeed sufficient to pay for our sins and that His life conquers death on our behalf (1 Corinthians 15).

Jesus saves, but whom does He save?

Jesus saves all who will receive His gift of salvation by faith. Jesus saves all those who cease trying to save themselves and fully trust in His sacrifice alone as the payment for sin (John 3:16; Acts 16:31). Jesus’ sacrifice was sufficient to pay for the sins of all humanity, but His gift of salvation is only received through faith, “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). We must trust Him.

If you now understand what it means that Jesus saves and you want to trust in Him as your personal Savior, you can, as an act of faith, communicate the following to God: “God, I know that I am a sinner, and I know that because of my sin, I deserve to be eternally separated from you. Even though I do not deserve it, thank you for loving me and providing the sacrifice for my sins through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. I believe that Jesus died for my sins, and I trust in Him alone to save me. From this point forward, help me to live my life for you instead of for sin. Help me to live the rest of my life in gratitude for the wonderful salvation you have provided. Thank you, Jesus, for saving me!”

Have you made a decision for Christ because of what you have read here? If so, please click on the “I have accepted Christ today” button below.

If you have any questions, please use the question form on our Bible Question.Solutions Page.