Salvation Then & Now

Abram believed the Lord, and he credited it to him as righteousness.

Genesis 15:6

“We who are Jews by birth and not sinful Gentiles know that a person is not justified by the works of the law, but by faith in Jesus Christ. So we, too, have put our faith in Christ Jesus that we may be justified by faith in Christ and not by the works of the law, because by the works of the law no one will be justified. Galatians 2:15-16

Did salvation change between the Old Testament and the New Testament? What about today? In the OT we read about numerous ritual and religious acts of worship. The Jewish people sacrificed and worshipped God so much so, that it would have been nearly impossible to forget their impurity before God! It would almost make you think you had to do specific activities to obtain salvation. Today we have plenty of ritual worship; it just looks more like attendance and service than it does animal sacrifice. How does a man think about salvation?  Both then and now, faith is the only way to be saved.

It was the object of faith that shifted from God to God in the flesh, Jesus Christ. Abraham believed God and that belief made him right. He then demonstrated his faith with obedience, but obedience was never the source of his salvation. Men today respond to God through putting faith in Jesus. The good news is that there is no formula for church attendance or Bible reading that would qualify or disqualify one from salvation. Salvation always begins with faith and works outward from there. Obedience reflects our belief; it does not save us. Keep in mind that Jesus died for us while we were yet wholly disobedient.

DO THIS TODAY: Confess your faith in Jesus Christ.