What is the relationship between salvation and forgiveness?

Answer

When we accept Jesus as our Savior, we receive salvation and forgiveness. However, that is not all. The Bible teaches that we also receive justification, redemption, reconciliation, atonement, propitiation, and regeneration. Each of these theological terms conveys marvelous truths about the blessings we receive when Jesus becomes our Savior. While salvation and forgiveness are interconnected, they are not identical.

The term salvation originates from the Greek word sozo, which means “to be delivered, rescued.” Salvation signifies deliverance from the consequences of sin, specifically eternal separation from God (Romans 6:23;Matthew 25:46). Salvation is God’s act of rescuing us from our deserved destiny. It also encompasses an immediate liberation from the power of sin in this present life. Sin no longer has dominion over those who are saved «For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace. », (Romans 6:14). Through faith in Jesus Christ, we are rescued from the futile and purposeless existence described in Ecclesiastes and are granted a life that is abundant and fruitful (John 10:10;Galatians 5:22-23).

The term forgiveness is derived from the Greek word aphiemi, which means “to let go, to give up, to keep no longer.” When Jesus forgives us, our sins, trespasses, iniquities, and transgressions are wiped away, removed from the record. Forgiveness of sin is akin to having a financial debt canceled. When God forgives us of our sins, we experience freedom. Our sins are completely erased. God will never hold them against us «As far as the east is from the west, So far hath he removed our transgressions from us. », (Psalm 103:12).

Salvation and forgiveness are closely intertwined. There is no salvation without forgiveness. Salvation is God’s deliverance from the consequences of sin. Forgiveness is God’s erasure of our sin debt. To illustrate using a financial analogy, forgiveness is God’s destruction of the documents that detail our debt, and salvation is God’s release from debtors’ prison. Let us praise God for the incredible salvation and forgiveness He has granted us. May our lives demonstrate gratitude for all He has accomplished for us «I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. », (Romans 12:1).