Counsel #13 — How Salvation Works

Picture: Counsel #13 — How Salvation WorksCCW 31.1

God loves us as much as He loves Jesus Christ. If love accomplishes more than logic, is salvation achieved by strictly adhering to a set of prescribed rules? Or is salvation the product of a relationship? According to the apostle Paul, we are God’s handiwork, designed by God Himself, made to reflect His image. We are saved because of God’s loving relationship with us. In fact, that is the meaning of grace—an unmerited covenantal relationship with Christ. The Pharisees wanted a set of steps to follow, while Christ Himself is the Path and the Guide. They wanted the supremacy of their nation, while Christ offers an eternal kingdom.^{[47]https://www.adventist.org/who-are-seventh-day-adventists/salvation-in-jesus-alone/}CCW 31.2

“For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.” Ephesians 2:8-10 NKJVCCW 31.3

“What must I do to be saved? Why, give yourself to Jesus and say, ‘Here I am, Jesus. You have given Yourself for me. You have paid the infinite price for my salvation. I have robbed you of my service all these years of my life, but now I repent of it. And now I give myself just as I am, a poor miserable sinner.’” Ellen White in Letters and Manuscripts, vol. 5, Manuscript 20, 1888, par. 68CCW 31.4

Reflect: Have you fully surrendered to the grace of Jesus today?CCW 31.5