Saved, Not Scared: Understanding True Salvation

Inheriting a Christian family structure is a great blessing. Undoubtedly, we learn about the one true living God. We don’t have to deal with myths, mysteries, or look for different gods. Certainly, some stories of Christian households could differ, as there could be unbelief, rebellion, or even denial of God. In my story, there was a clear existence of the one true living God, whom we as a family were supposed to follow wholeheartedly. So, I grew up responding to the instruction of following Christ.

Not forgetting the popular sermon tone of Jonathan Edwards—“Sinners in the Hands of an Angry God”—a set-up narrative in me for the Christian lifestyle. Interpreted in the light of a Christian individual living their lives in the fear of God. If not, then God in His anger would punish and could cause suffering on those who disobey Him. This often led me into fear, guilt, and confession after committing any sin. So, I was scared of God like crazy. I was afraid that He would punish me in hell if I died today with any sinful struggles. The picture of God was becoming a little scary for me.

On the other hand, in the part of the world I grew up in, we had many frequent occurrences of earthquakes. It made it worse. I would fearfully confess every night any sin that I might have committed knowingly or unknowingly. This was very frustrating and not liberating at all.

It is absolutely important to know that without Christ, there is no forgiveness of sins, and a person who rejects the love of God revealed in Christ will suffer eternal death in hell because of their sinful condition and for distorting the glory of God in their life. Also, confession should not be avoided. It’s biblical! It’s a blessing as it restores things.

But in my story, if you could sense here, the case was about struggling with one of the big critical questions of my life. It was about being unsure about my salvation.

I struggled with this unbelief because I had this fear that I would go to hell if I made any more sinful mistakes or if I had any unrepentant sin, even a minor one. I was unsure that my salvation was not based on my efforts.

During these years of theological struggle regarding Gospel truth, I was pursuing my sports career. And after being involved in track and field for more than 8 years, I just became passionate about God and His kingdom. Goals were changing quickly, including my passion. It was becoming more about Jesus’ Kingdom. I started enjoying being in the presence of God, enjoyed reading Scriptures, devoted myself to serving the local church, and cherished consistent fellowship. I just loved it. This happened after I got baptised with the Holy Spirit. On the other hand, I still kept struggling with the question of my salvation.

After quitting my sports career, I decided to take on a God-given opportunity—a call to study in an Evangelical Seminary. During my seminary years, I learned so much about Christian theology together with practical local church ministry. I also had the opportunity to learn the skill of interpreting the Scriptures—Hermeneutics. A course that trained me to do a careful exegesis of any biblical text.

Also, there was a great opportunity to have meaningful, theologically oriented conversations with pastors, church leaders, and classmates who were pursuing their studies together in the same seminary. Often, there was discussion on “once saved, always saved.” Some denied it, but some believed in justification by faith alone.

Leaving me again in the loop of struggle, of not being sure about my salvation. Until this stage of my life, I still believed and struggled with the thought that I had to add more righteous works to secure my salvation. Even after completing my degree, I still held the same theological belief, with an ongoing struggle of securing my salvation with a performance mindset.

After a year, I gave myself again to diligent studies of salvation by faith alone vs. by works. I had more free time to carefully investigate this critical doctrine. So, without any rush, I pursued the truth. A friend helped me and pointed me to look at Romans 3:28—a study from Paul on the topic of being justified by faith alone and not by works.

A clear understanding about our salvation by faith alone. So, I just took my Bible and read it. I chewed the text, read it over and over, and prayed. And suddenly, the Spirit of the Lord brought wisdom to see the text and learn the truth of being justified by faith alone.

This was the pivotal moment in my life—when God deepened His work in me by revealing that a man or woman, boy or girl, is justified by faith alone—not by any good works or diligent performance. Adding anything more or less to secure our salvation is not the Gospel, because it’s the work of Christ on the cross. Justified once for all by the finished work of Christ on the cross, who became the perfect propitiation for our sins. AMEN! Praise God! Shout for joy when you get it.

I also got that I am not in the hands of an angry God. Instead, I am in the hands of a loving God, who is a Good Shepherd! Who has saved me from the consequences of all my sins—from hell and from total destruction. He has secured me for eternal life by His work on the cross, and I don’t have to worry or add anything to secure my salvation.

Yes, I have repented from my sins, I got baptised with the Holy Spirit, and I am saved by faith alone, not by my righteous efforts. And Christ calls me every day to be transformed into His likeness.

⸻

A little exercise as you anticipate reading further:

A. Take some time in silence—maybe with a paper and pencil.

B. Read Romans 3 ESV.

C. Meditate more on 3:28 ESV.

D. Sense what the Lord’s Spirit is saying.

E. Ask the Holy Spirit to speak through the text.

F. You will hear a whisper! Don’t miss it