The Doctrine of Salvation: Exploring the Biblical Teachings on Redemption and Justification

"For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost." — Luke 19:10

The doctrine of salvation stands at the very heart of the Christian faith. It is the message that brings hope, transformation, and eternal life to all who believe. Salvation is not just a theological concept—it is the great work of God in our lives, rescuing us from sin and death and bringing us into a restored relationship with Him. Understanding the doctrine of salvation is essential for every believer, as it shapes how we live, how we worship, and how we relate to God and to others.

In this message, we will explore two central aspects of salvation: redemption and justification. These terms are deeply connected to our salvation in Christ, and they help us understand what God has done for us through Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection. As we dive into the Scriptures, let’s open our hearts to the wonder of God’s grace and the power of the gospel.

1. The Need for Salvation: The Problem of Sin

Before we can fully grasp the beauty of redemption and justification, we must first understand why we need salvation in the first place. The Bible teaches us that all human beings are born into sin. In Romans 3:23, Paul writes, “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” Sin is not just about individual actions; it is a condition of the heart and a rebellion against God’s perfect holiness.

Because of sin, we are separated from God. Isaiah 59:2 tells us, “But your iniquities have separated you from your God; your sins have hidden His face from you, so that He will not hear.” Our sin leads to spiritual death, as Romans 6:23 warns, “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” This is the problem of sin: it separates us from the life of God and leaves us in a state of spiritual death, unable to save ourselves.

The good news of the gospel is that God, in His great mercy, has not left us in our sinful condition. He has provided a way for us to be redeemed and justified through the work of Jesus Christ.

2. Redemption: The Price Paid for Our Freedom

The first key aspect of salvation we will explore is redemption. To redeem something means to buy it back, to free it from bondage, or to restore it to its rightful owner. The Bible teaches that we were in bondage to sin and its consequences, but through Christ’s sacrifice, we have been redeemed.

In the Old Testament, the concept of redemption was closely tied to the idea of a kinsman redeemer. If someone was in debt or slavery, a close relative had the right and responsibility to redeem them by paying the price for their freedom (Leviticus 25:25-26). This concept points to the ultimate redemption that we experience through Jesus Christ, our Kinsman Redeemer.

Ephesians 1:7 tells us, “In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace.” Jesus’ death on the cross was the price paid for our freedom. His blood was shed to redeem us from the power of sin and death. In 1 Peter 1:18-19, Peter reminds us, “Knowing that you were ransomed from the futile ways inherited from your forefathers, not with perishable things such as silver or gold, but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without blemish or spot.”

Through Jesus’ sacrifice, we are set free from the penalty of sin, and we are no longer slaves to sin or fear. This is the incredible reality of redemption—God has paid the price for our freedom, and we are no longer bound by sin’s power.

3. Justification: Being Declared Righteous Before God

The second key aspect of salvation is justification. Justification is the act of God declaring a sinner to be righteous on the basis of faith in Jesus Christ. It is a legal declaration, where God, the Judge, pronounces us not guilty of our sin because of the perfect righteousness of Jesus Christ that is credited to us.

Romans 5:1 explains, “Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.” Justification is a gift that we receive through faith. It is not something we can earn through good works or religious rituals. It is purely by God’s grace, through faith in Jesus Christ, that we are justified.

In Romans 3:24, Paul writes, “and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus.” Justification means that, in Christ, we are declared righteous in God’s eyes, not because of anything we have done, but because of what Jesus has done for us.

The beauty of justification is that it addresses the penalty of sin. We are forgiven, and we are credited with Christ’s perfect righteousness. When God looks at us, He no longer sees our sin, but He sees the righteousness of Christ. This is the good news of the gospel—through faith in Jesus, we are fully forgiven and accepted by God.

4. The Role of Faith: Receiving Redemption and Justification

While both redemption and justification are God’s work alone, there is one necessary response from us: faith. Faith is the means by which we receive God’s gift of salvation. Ephesians 2:8-9 says, “For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.”

Faith is not just intellectual assent to the facts of the gospel; it is a deep trust in Jesus Christ as the only Savior. It is relying on His finished work on the cross for our forgiveness and righteousness. Faith is the hand that receives God’s gift of salvation.

John 3:16 beautifully captures the role of faith: “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.” The promise of salvation is for all who believe in Jesus Christ. When we place our faith in Him, we are redeemed from the curse of sin and declared righteous before God.

5. The Assurance of Salvation

One of the beautiful aspects of salvation is the assurance that we can have through faith in Christ. Once we have been redeemed and justified, we are secure in God’s love and grace. Romans 8:1 declares, “There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.” Our salvation is not dependent on our performance but on the finished work of Jesus.

Jesus assures us in John 10:28-29, “I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand.” The security we have in Christ is unshakeable. Our salvation is not something we can lose, because it rests in the hands of a faithful and loving Savior.

Conclusion: The Gift of Salvation

The doctrine of salvation is a beautiful, life-changing truth that reminds us of God’s incredible love and grace. Through the redemption and justification provided by Jesus Christ, we are forgiven, made righteous, and brought into a right relationship with God. Salvation is a gift that we receive through faith, and it transforms our lives forever.

As we reflect on the doctrine of salvation, let us be filled with gratitude for what Christ has done for us. Let us respond with faith, worship, and obedience, living in the freedom that comes from being redeemed and justified. And may we, in turn, share the good news of salvation with others, that they too might experience the transforming power of God’s grace.

“For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes.” — Romans 1:16

In Christ’s love,
Apostle. Dr. Paul Igbinoghene