‘Salvation’ is a significant and comprehensive word in the life of a believer. Salvation brings freedom. As Americans, we live in the ‘land of the free’ and enjoy many freedoms although they have been and continue to be under attack. As Christians, what have we been freed from when we put out trust in the finished work of Jesus alone?


In verse 10 of Psalm 107 we read, “Such as sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, being bound in affliction and iron.” Although this describes what happened to the people of the Old Testament when they rebelled against God, it is also a picture of what happens to us spiritually as revealed in the New Testament. Sin leads to darkness and deepest gloom. It is addictive and chains our hearts. But, on the cross, Jesus broke the chains, forgave our sins, and set us free. From the lyrics of Charles Wesley’s familiar hymn, we can declare, ‘My chains fell off, my heart was free, I rose, went forth and followed thee.’ Many people today, including Christians, fear death. But Jesus, through his death and
resurrection, was victorious over death. We have not only been freed from death but also its fear and all the fears that go with it.


In the first chapter of Galatians the Apostle Paul contrasts his life before and after his conversion. In verse 4 he reminds the church at Galatia that their salvation was won at a great cost… Jesus willingly gave his life for their sins. Paul also emphasized to them that there is only one true gospel and to be aware of certain religious leaders who were perverting the gospel by adding rules and regulations such as the requirement of circumcision.


The message of the gospel is one of freedom. Besides being freed from sin, guilt, shame, addiction and death, we are also set free from justification by works. Many today erroneously believe that the road to heaven is dependent on their good works. When we present the gospel message to others and ask, “Are you saved? “, we need to remind them that true salvation is ‘Jesus Christ + NOTHING’.