The Great Salvation

By Ronald Bartanen

       The greatest story ever told is a true story. It is the story of how God has provided salvation for man through His Son, Jesus Christ. Obviously, this story would be without significance if man was not lost in sin. Looking at the Bible as a whole, it is the account of creation, the fall of man, the promise of a Deliverer, the coming of the Deliverer, His death for man’s sins, His resurrection, His ascension into glory, and His return “to judge the quick and the dead at his appearing” (2 Timothy 4:1). The writer of Hebrews wrote, “How shall we escape if we neglect so great a salvation...” (Hebrews 2:1-4).
       There were other salvations in Scripture. Noah and his household were saved when God destroyed the world by the Great Flood. By faith he obeyed God “to the saving of his house” (Heb. 11:7). God saved Israel from Egyptian bondage as His servant Moses miraculously led them by faith and obedience from Egypt to the Promised Land. But the salvation God has provided in Christ saves those who trust and obey, delivering from sin and its eternal consequences. It is great because: (1) God is its author (Heb. 5:8, 9); (2) it was made possible by the death of Christ (Rom. 1:16; 5:8-9) and (3) it is eternal in duration (Heb. 5:9).

- Ronald Bartanen preaches for Arthur Church of Christ, Arthur, IL. He may be contacted through the congregation's website: http://arthurcoc.com/