Episode 27: The Doctrine of Salvation

Everybody wants to go to heaven, but not everybody wants to come through the narrow gate. Salvation is not about being good, religious, or spiritual. It’s about being rescued from sin by grace through faith in Jesus Christ. In today’s episode of A Man of HIS Word, we’re digging into the Doctrine of Salvation—what it is, how it works, and why it’s the most urgent truth you will ever hear. This is not just theology. This is eternity. 

Transcript

Episode 27: The Doctrine of Salvation – How Are We Saved?
“Salvation isn’t earned. It’s received—or it’s missed altogether.”
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"Everybody wants to go to heaven, but not everybody wants to come through the narrow gate. Salvation is not about being good, religious, or spiritual. It’s about being rescued from sin by grace through faith in Jesus Christ. In today’s episode of A Man of HIS Word, we’re digging into the Doctrine of Salvation—what it is, how it works, and why it’s the most urgent truth you will ever hear. This is not just theology. This is eternity."
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1. What Is Salvation?
Let’s start simple and strong: Salvation means deliverance—from sin, death, and the wrath of God.
You are not a good man who needs a little help. You are a sinner who needs to be saved.
“For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” — Romans 3:23 (ESV)
“For the wages of sin is death…” — Romans 6:23a (ESV)
Salvation is God’s gracious work to rescue sinners and restore them into right relationship with Him. And this salvation is only found in one place—Jesus Christ.
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2. By Grace Alone – We Deserve Nothing But Wrath
“But God, being rich in mercy… even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved.” — Ephesians 2:4-5 (ESV)
Grace means undeserved favor. It’s not earned. It’s not merited. It’s not a reward for your effort.
It is God's free, unearned, sovereign gift to the sinner.
You weren’t drowning and reached for a hand.
You were dead at the bottom of the ocean—and God pulled you out and gave you life.
“For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God.” — Ephesians 2:8 (ESV)
You bring nothing to your salvation except the sin that made it necessary.
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3. Through Faith Alone – The Empty Hands of Trust
“Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved…” — Acts 16:31 (ESV)
Faith is how grace is received. It is not a work. It is not a feeling.
It’s trusting entirely in what Christ has done—not what you’ve done.
Faith says:
• “I believe Jesus is who He said He is.”
• “I believe His death was enough.”
• “I believe He rose again and is Lord of all.”
And that kind of faith changes everything.
“The righteous shall live by faith.” — Romans 1:17 (ESV)
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4. In Christ Alone – No Other Name
“And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.” — Acts 4:12 (ESV)
Not Buddha.
Not Mohammed.
Not your grandma’s religion.
Only Jesus.
This is offensive in our world, but the Bible is clear: Jesus is the only way to be saved.
Why? Because only Jesus lived a perfect life, died a substitutionary death, and rose from the grave.
He is the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Him.
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5. Substitutionary Atonement – He Took Your Place
“God made him who knew no sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.” — 2 Corinthians 5:21 (ESV)
This is the heart of the gospel—Jesus took your place. He absorbed the wrath of God, paid your debt, and gave you His righteousness.
We call this substitutionary atonement—He took your punishment, and you receive His perfection.
✔️ He was cursed, so you could be blessed.
✔️ He was condemned, so you could be justified.
✔️ He was crucified, so you could be forgiven.
The cross wasn’t symbolic. It was payment.
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6. Regeneration – Made New from the Inside Out
“Unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.” — John 3:3 (ESV)
“If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation.” — 2 Corinthians 5:17 (ESV)
Salvation isn’t just external—it’s a supernatural change of heart.
The Bible calls it regeneration—being born again.
✔️ A new heart
✔️ New desires
✔️ A new direction
You’re not the same man you were.
You're not perfect—but you’re not spiritually dead anymore either.
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7. Justification – Declared Righteous
“Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.” — Romans 5:1 (ESV)
Justification is a legal declaration by God that you are righteous in His sight, not because of your record—but because of Christ’s.
✔️ Your sins are forgiven.
✔️ His righteousness is credited to you.
✔️ Your record is wiped clean.
This is not a process. It’s a one-time declaration.
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8. Sanctification – The Lifelong Growth Process
“For this is the will of God, your sanctification…” — 1 Thessalonians 4:3 (ESV)
Once you’re saved, God doesn’t leave you where you are.
He begins the process of making you more like Christ—this is sanctification.
✔️ You begin to hate sin and love righteousness.
✔️ You grow in obedience, humility, and truth.
✔️ The Holy Spirit convicts, corrects, and leads.
Sanctification is the evidence that salvation has occurred.
If there’s no transformation, there’s no regeneration.
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9. Glorification – The Future Promise
“Those whom he justified he also glorified.” — Romans 8:30 (ESV)
Salvation doesn’t end with forgiveness—it ends with glory.
Glorification is the final stage: the resurrection of your body and the full removal of sin forever.
One day, you’ll stand before God—holy, blameless, perfected in Christ.
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10. Why This Doctrine Is Essential to Christian Belief
Let’s be clear: You can’t be a Christian without understanding salvation.
✔️ This is the gospel.
✔️ This is the core of our message.
✔️ This is the difference between life and death, heaven and hell.
If you believe you can earn your way to God—you’re lost.
If you trust in anything other than Jesus—you’re lost.
If you’ve never repented and believed—you’re not saved.
This is not optional.
This is not theoretical.
This is your eternity.
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🎙️ Final Challenge So let me ask you, man to man:
Have you been saved?
Not: “Do you go to church?”
Not: “Were you baptized as a kid?”
Not: “Are you trying your best?”
But:
✔️ Have you repented of your sin?
✔️ Have you placed your faith fully in Jesus Christ?
✔️ Have you been made new?
If not, don’t delay. Today is the day of salvation.
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"Lord, we thank You that You didn’t leave us in our sin. You came, You died, You rose again, and You now offer life to all who believe. Help us to never grow cold to the beauty of the gospel. Make us men who live saved—humbled, grateful, and surrendered to You. In Jesus’ name, Amen."
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🔥 Next Episode: The Doctrine of the Holy Spirit – Who Is He and What Does He Do?
We’ll unpack the person and power of the Spirit—how He indwells, transforms, convicts, and empowers us for holy living.
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