How Does Jesus’ Gift of Salvation Benefit Believers? (1 Thessalonians 5:9–10)

When humans sin, they create a barrier between themselves and God. The price for sin is death (see Romans 6:23); however, 1 Thessalonians 5:9–10 indicates that by his grace God provided a substitute for us: Jesus, who “died for us” to pay the penalty for our sin.

To better understand the salvation Jesus provides, we must view it in the broader context of the story of the Bible. Genesis details the creation and rebellion of the human species. Humankind’s rejection of God and God’s response is the theme of the remaining narrative of the Bible—it colors every page. Old Testament prophecies point to a time when the world as we know it will end and judgment will take place. However, these prophecies also point to the coming Messiah who will redeem the lives of those who trust in him.

Salvation is not only a future reality but also a present one. Jesus rewarded the faith of the bleeding woman and of the blind man and literally saved them from their afflictions, as the Greek word translated “healed” actually means “saved” (see Mark 5:34; 10:52). Faith has a reward dimension in this life, sometimes in tangible benefits like physical healing and sometimes in intangibles such as comfort, peace, security and freedom.

Salvation also has a spiritual quality that benefits believers—both now and in eternity. Paul says in 1 Thessalonians 5:9–10 that believers will live with Christ in this world (when we are “awake”) and in the next (when we are “asleep”). Because of Jesus’ salvation, believers can be confident about both the present and the future.

Taken from The Case for Christ Study Bible

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Salvation Is God’s Gift (Romans 6:23)
Genesis 3 recounts the story of the fall of humanity, when Adam’s sin condemned the world to a cycle of sin and despair, punctuated by death. It is because of Adam’s actions that we inherited the proclivity to sin (see Romans 3:23). But rather than leave us doomed to the consequences of sin, God has promised us rebirth and new life (see Romans 6:23). This is not something we deserve; rather, it is a gift that is given to us—an example of the true and abiding love that God has for his creation (see Ephesians 2:8–9).

Take some time to consider the enormity of that statement. Even though we failed God’s commands, even though we fell short of God’s expectations for us, God still had enough love for us that he offered us a way out of the cycle. That way out is Jesus Christ, who bridges the gap between human and divine as the mediator of a new relationship between God and humanity: a covenant of life rather than one of death (see Hebrews 12:24).

Taken from NIV Essentials of the Christian Faith

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Is accepting Jesus the only way for people to get to heaven? (John 14:6)

Yes. The Bible clearly identifies Jesus as the only means of salvation (Jn 14:6; Ac 4:12; Php 2:9–11). Believing in Jesus and his unique work (Ac 2:37–39; 16:31; Ro 10:9) is the only way to gain access to God’s forgiveness. No number of good deeds can earn a person an eternal reward. No other faith system leads people to the one true God. Some people chafe at such an exclusive stance, but the words of Jesus and the apostles leave no other option (Ac 4:12; 1Ti 2:5).

Taken from NIV Quest Study Bible

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Can Christians Lose Their Salvation? (Luke 8:13)

Salvation is the work of God. It came through Jesus Christ by the shedding of his blood on the cross (see Jn 3:17; Ro 5:9). Those who experience salvation are given eternal life as a gift of grace that they receive by faith (see Eph 2:5,8)—this gift comes because of God’s mercy, not as a result of human effort (see 2Ti 1:9; Titus 3:5).

Since salvation is a work of God’s grace from beginning to end (see Ro 1:17; Gal 3:1–3), those who belong to Christ can be assured that they will never lose their salvation. They have been appointed to receive salvation, not to suffer wrath (see 1Th 5:9). There is also a subjective dimension to this assurance. The Holy Spirit “testifies with our spirit that we are God’s children” (Ro 8:16). In other words, when we are children of God, the Holy Spirit helps us know with confidence that we are heirs of eternal life.

But assurance is no excuse for complacency. God’s grace transforms those who are in Christ (see 2Co 5:21; Jas 2:14–26; 1Jn 3:3). Therefore, those whose lives show no evidence of this transformation should examine themselves to see if they have genuinely trusted in Christ (see 2Co 13:5; Heb 6:1–8). For such people the question is not whether they might lose their salvation but whether they ever possessed it in the first place.

Taken from NIV Essentials Study Bible

Ephesians 1:4

Paul says that God “chose us in him” to emphasize that salvation depends totally on God. We are not saved because we deserve it, but because God is gracious and freely gives salvation. We did not influence God’s decision to save us; he saved us according to his plan. Thus there is no way to take credit for our salvation or to allow room for pride. The mystery of salvation originated in the timeless mind of God long before we existed. It is hard to understand how God could accept us. But because of Christ, we are holy and blameless in his sight. God chose us, and when we belong to him through Jesus Christ, God looks at us as if we had never sinned. All we can do is express our thanks for his wonderful love.

Taken from NIV Life Application Study Bible

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Romans 12:2

Do not conform. “Conform” refers to assuming an outward expression that does not reflect what is really inside, a kind of masquerade or act. The word’s form implies that Paul’s readers were already allowing this to happen and must stop. this world. Better translated, “age,” which refers to the system of beliefs, values—or the spirit of the age—at any time current in the world. This sum of contemporary thinking and values forms the moral atmosphere of our world and is always dominated by Satan (cf. 2Co 4:4). transformed. The Gr. word, from which the Eng. word metamorphosis comes, connotes a change in outward appearance. Matthew uses the same word to describe the Transfiguration (Mt 17:2). Just as Christ briefly and in a limited way displayed outwardly His inner, divine nature and glory at the Transfiguration, Christians should outwardly manifest their inner, redeemed natures, not once, however, but daily (cf. 2Co 3:18; Eph 5:18). renewing of your mind. That kind of transformation can occur only as the Holy Spirit changes our thinking through consistent study and meditation of Scripture (Ps 119:11; cf. Col 1:28; 3:10, 16; Php 4:8). The renewed mind is one saturated with and controlled by the Word of God. good, pleasing . . . perfect. Holy living of which God approves. These words borrow from OT sacrificial language and describe a life that is morally and spiritually spotless, just as the sacrificial animals were to be (cf. Lev 22:19–25).

Taken from NIV First-Century Study Bible

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Romans 12:1

Living sacrifice. Paul returns to his earlier theme that in light of their freedom in Christ, Gentile Christians should not live like pagans but should live holy lives, as if their bodies were a sacrificially pure offering to God. The Dead Sea Scrolls community similarly believed that their holy way of life was a kind of substitution for the sacrifices in the temple—sacrifices they believed to be corrupt.* In the early church document A Plea for the Christians, Athenagoras argued that Christians should not participate in pagan sacrifices but “present a bloodless sacrifice, to offer ‘spiritual worship.’”**

* Dead Sea Scrolls, 1QS 8:5-10; 9:3-5.

**Athenagoras, A Plea to the Christians, 13, quoted in Richardson, Early Church Fathers, 311-312.

Taken from NIV First-Century Study Bible

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Reflection (Proverbs 2:20–22)

Morning Verses

Genesis 41:16,39–40

• Joseph rightly acknowledged that all abilities and insights come from the hand of God.
• God honors those who honor him. He elevated Joseph from imprisonment to prominence and authority in less than one day.

Evening Verses

Matthew 14:14; Proverbs 2:20–22

• Jesus’ earthly life was consistently marked by compassion and concern for the needs of the people to whom he ministered.
• God ensures the welfare of those who walk in the way of fidelity, trust and righteousness.

Taken from Once a Day Morning & Evening

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The Fallen State of People (Matthew 25:41)

In the parable of the sheep and the goats, Jesus divides people into two groups: the righteous and the unrighteous. Jesus defines the righteous as those who helped others in need, sheltered the poor, fed the hungry, clothed the naked and ministered to the sick. The unrighteous are the ones who were too concerned about themselves to do any of these. These unrighteous people are thrown out from God’s presence.

Taken from NIV Essentials of the Christian Faith

How could David be so certain of his own righteousness? (Psalm 18:20–24)

In the Old Testament, Israel could know God’s moral will for his people through the laws set forth in the covenant made at Mount Sinai (Ex 20:1—24:18; Lev 26:1–46; Dt 4:1—11:32). If David lived in a manner consistent with those covenant stipulations, he could legitimately speak of his righteousness.

David was not perfect by any means—a fact he readily acknowledged (Ps 51:1–19). But while it is a great sin to violate God’s law, the covenant provided a means by which confession, repentance, restitution and restoration to God and the community could take place. The sacrificial system outlined in Leviticus 1:1—7:38 provided the Israelites with a process by which to make amends to God and their neighbors when they sinned. But more important than sacrifice is a humble and penitent heart that casts itself entirely on the mercy of God (Ps 51:1,16–17). When we do this, God “imputes” righteousness to us—that is, he credits the perfect righteousness of Jesus Christ to us (2Co 5:21).

Taken from NIV Quest Study Bible