Why do we need a Savior?

Response

Humanity is in need of a Savior. Providing a comprehensive explanation for the necessity of a Savior would demand extensive volumes of information. Within our confined space, we will outline some concepts, drawing from the teachings of the Bible, regarding the importance of a Savior.

Firstly, let us define the term “we” in this context inclusively; thus, when we state, “we require a Savior,” we are referring to every individual who has ever existed. It is also worth noting that the term “savior” is broadly used in the Bible; anyone who undertakes an act of rescue or deliverance may be identified as a “savior”—examples include the judges Othniel and Ehud “And when the children of Israel cried unto the LORD, the LORD raised up a deliverer to the children of Israel, who delivered them, even Othniel the son of Kenaz, Caleb’s younger brother.”, (Judges 3:9,15) “But when the children of Israel cried unto the LORD, the LORD raised them up a deliverer, Ehud the son of Gera, a Benjamite, a man lefthanded: and by him the children of Israel sent a present unto Eglon the king of Moab.”, (Judges 3:9,15). Additionally, God Himself (not exclusively Jesus) is referred to as the “Savior” (Isaiah 43:11;Isaiah 45:21-22;60:16). For the sake of clarity in this article, we will use the term “Savior” specifically for Jesus Christ.

The rationale behind our need for a Savior is rooted in the essence of God and humanity: firstly, according to the Bible, God has a plan in which human beings play a crucial role.

First, God is holy, and He cannot tolerate sin. Second, every person has sinned, and each individual possesses an inherent sinful nature.

The challenge we face is that being in the presence of God necessitates flawless perfection, and none of us meets that standard. Therefore, God must address humanity’s condition before achieving His purposes. This is why we require a Savior—Scripture reveals Him as Jesus Christ (Luke 2:11;Titus 2:13-14).

We need Jesus, the Savior, because we must be sanctified: “without holiness, no one will see the Lord” «Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord: », (Hebrews 12:14). Jesus does not merely improve us as individuals; He does not enhance our godliness or increase our holiness—we lack these qualities from the start. Instead, He transforms us into entirely new beings (2 Corinthians 5:17;Galatians 6:15).

God’s purpose for humanity is clear. We need a Savior because God intends for us to glorify Him «even every one that is called by my name: for I have created him for my glory, I have formed him; yea, I have made him. », (Isaiah 43:7) and to experience eternal fellowship with Him «One thing have I desired of the LORD, that will I seek after; That I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, To behold the beauty of the LORD, and to enquire in his temple. », (Psalm 27:4). He aims to mold us into the likeness of His Son «For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren. », (Romans 8:29).

The Self-Existent One did not create the cosmos for His own amusement but to establish connections with beings created in His likeness (see Genesis 1:27). God, as a social and moral entity, longs for His creation to love Him and flourish. The reality that we, as beings with free will, succumbed to sin and rebellion underscores the necessity of a Savior; otherwise, God’s purpose for us cannot come to fruition. Out of His love, God sent the Savior—His only begotten Son—to prepare us for eternity and reveal His glory.

The holiness of God is emphasized in the Bible with over 900 references, underscoring its significance to His creation. Scripture instructs us to strive for holiness, “‘but as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation;’, (1 Peter 1:15).

Jesus taught us to approach God recognizing His holiness, “‘After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name.’, (Matthew 6:9). The need for a Savior arises from God’s absolute purity that cannot coexist with sinfulness: “Your eyes are too pure to look on evil; you cannot tolerate wrongdoing” ‘Thou art of purer eyes than to behold evil, and canst not look on iniquity: wherefore lookest thou upon them that deal treacherously, and holdest thy tongue when the wicked devoureth the man that is more righteous than he?’, (Habakkuk 1:13). Without a Savior, God’s response to us would simply be, “away from me, you evildoers!” ‘And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.’, (Matthew 7:23).

The sinful nature of humanity is highlighted by Paul in Romans 3:10–18, where he brings up the shortcomings of mankind.

gs passages from Psalms and Isaiah into a discussion of the law. In so doing, he uses Scripture to conclude with confidence that every person has sinned «for all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; », (Romans 3:23). Every person, therefore, requires remediation. We cannot cast off our sin any more than a leopard can change its spots «Can the Ethiopian change his skin, or the leopard his spots? then may ye also do good, that are accustomed to do evil. », (Jeremiah 13:23). “There is no one righteous, not even one” (Romans 3:10;cf: Psalm 14:1).

God says in no uncertain terms that everyone is a sinner, even those who don’t think they are «If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. », (see 1 John 1:8). This means that everyone needs a Savior, even those who don’t think they do.

The necessity of a Savior. In summary, God has a perfect plan that He won’t change His mind about executing. His plan involves us humans, and we are sinners through and through. Since God is holy, He cannot tolerate the presence of sin, and unless He somehow cleanses us, it is impossible for Him to work His eternal plan with us. Those who are not cleansed—those who are not saved—must be separated from God for all eternity. God’s solution: offer the perfect sacrifice, once and for all, to cleanse us of sin and reconcile us to Himself. This He did with His Son on the cross.

We need a Savior because we cannot save ourselves. We need a Savior because without Christ, we are described as “having no hope and without God in the world” «that at that time ye were without Christ, being alie

ns from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world: », (Ephesians 2:12, ESV).

We need a Savior, and God has provided one. Jesus saved us as a demonstration of God’s love and as a function of His mercy. Now, “having been justified by his grace, we . . . become heirs having the hope of eternal life” «that being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life. », (Titus 3:7). Jesus’ sacrifice unlocked everything for us—and if there were any other way for God to work His plan without compromise, He would have chosen that over the humiliation of the cross see Luke 22:42. The fact that Jesus did indeed die on the cross is proof enough that we need a Savior.