One key element of modern Christianity is the concept of salvation. It is often at the center of endless theological debates—salvation by works versus salvation by faith, the question of whether one can lose salvation, or the doctrine of ‘once saved, always saved.’ These debates ultimately narrow down to a singular, anxiety-laden question: Are you saved?
This approach often feeds off fear—the fear of judgment, the fear of what happens after death, and the fear of being excluded from God’s grace. But framing salvation this way risks missing the bigger picture. From the very beginning, God’s purpose has not been about a system of qualification, but about calling people into a relationship with Him. Salvation is not merely about believing in Jesus’ name as a way to secure eternal life—it’s about choosing to walk in God’s way Life. The real question isn’t, Have I checked all the right boxes to be saved? but Do I truly desire and choose the life God offers?
- God’s Desire from the Beginning
From the very beginning, God set before humanity a fundamental choice: to live according to His way or to follow our own path. This choice is vividly illustrated in the Garden of Eden through the two trees (Genesis 2:16-17). Humanity’s decision to rely on its own wisdom rather than trust in God’s resulted in separation from Him. Yet, even after Adam’s failure, God did not abandon His creation; He continued to call people into relationship with Him.
Throughout history, God has initiated this relationship, reaching out to those He chose and calling them to walk in His ways. He walked with Enoch (Genesis 5:24), guided Noah (Genesis 6:9), and established a covenant with Abraham (Genesis 17:1-2). His desire was not merely to impose laws but to cultivate a people who would know Him and reflect His character. This longing for fellowship extended to the nation of Israel, whom He called to be a light to the nations :
“Surely I have taught you statutes and judgments, just as the Lord my God commanded me, that you should act according to them in the land which you go to possess. 6 Therefore be careful to observe them; for this is your wisdom and your understanding in the sight of the peoples who will hear all these statutes, and say, ‘Surely this great nation is a wise and understanding people.’ 7 “For what great nation is there that has God so near to it, as the Lord our God is to us, for whatever reason we may call upon Him? 8 And what great nation is there that has such statutes and righteous judgments as are in all this law which I set before you this day? (Deuteronomy 4:5-8).
His intention was to dwell among them , demonstrating not only the relationship He sought with one nation but ultimately with all of humanity: “And let them make Me a sanctuary, that I may dwell among them” (Exodus 25:8).
- The Necessity of Jesus’ Sacrifice
Despite God’s continued outreach, humanity repeatedly failed to live according to His way, but rather under its own strength, choosing to live life on their own terms. God’s laws revealed the standard of righteousness, but it also made evident that no one could meet it perfectly: “for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God,” (Romans 3:23). While outwardly following the law may be possible, fulfilling its deeper spiritual intent requires the transformation of our minds through the Holy Spirit:
“For what the law could not do in that it was weak through the flesh, God did by sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, on account of sin: He condemned sin in the flesh, 4 that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit” (Romans 8:3-4).
This is why Jesus’ sacrifice was necessary—not simply to grant access to God the Father, but to make reconciliation with Him possible: “Now all things are of God, who has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation, 19 that is, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not imputing their trespasses to them, and has committed to us the word of reconciliation” (2 Corinthians 5:18-19).
Jesus did not come to abolish the law but to fulfill it (Matthew 5:17). He perfectly embodied God’s way of life—both in action and in spirit—as our example. His life was not merely about rule-keeping; it was about living in full alignment with the Father’s will. Through Christ, sinful humanity was given the means to return to God’s intended way of life and to a relationship with Him.
This is where a crucial distinction needs to be made: we do not keep the law in order to be saved, but we keep it because we are walking with God. Jesus’ life demonstrated that walking in God’s way is about more than just external obedience—it’s about internal transformation and aligning with God’s purpose.
- Choosing God’s Way: Free Will and the Holy Spirit
God has always given humanity the ability to choose. He does not force salvation upon anyone. As Moses declared to Israel: “I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing; therefore choose life” (Deuteronomy 30:19-20). God desires people to love and follow Him because they want to, not because they are coerced: “And if it seems evil to you to serve the Lord, choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the River, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you dwell. But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord” (Joshua 24:15).
For those who choose life, the Holy Spirit is given as both a guide and a source of power. Without it, walking in God’s way is impossible. The Spirit enables believers to go beyond mere adherence to the letter of the law, allowing them to embody its deeper spiritual principles:
“There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit. 2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death. 3 For what the law could not do in that it was weak through the flesh, God did by sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, on account of sin: He condemned sin in the flesh, 4 that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit” (Romans 8:1-4).
True salvation is not about checking off requirements—it is about genuinely embracing and reflecting the character of God, as evidenced by the fruits of the Spirit: “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law (Galatians 5:22-23).
- What This Means for Us Today
When we move beyond a fear-based view of salvation, we can better understand God’s greater purpose. Salvation is not just about personal security—it’s an invitation to participate in God’s way of life, an ongoing journey of faith and obedience. As Paul emphasized, “work out your own salvation with fear and trembling“ (Philippians 2:12) —not in fear of losing salvation, but in awe of the responsibility that comes with choosing God’s way. Remember, God’s intention is to live among mankind:
“And I heard a loud voice from heaven saying, “Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people. God Himself will be with them and be their God. 4 And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away” (Revelation 21:3–4).
This means the real issue isn’t Can salvation be lost? but Do we truly desire to walk in God’s way? The invitation remains open. God’s Kingdom is not for those who simply profess faith but for those who truly embrace His way of life.
The choice has always been ours, as it was from the beginning. Will we choose life?
Ryan Welsh