Each month, we will be highlighting a particular theological topic here at the BLB blog. This month, we are highlighting the topic of soteriology—the doctrine of salvation through Jesus Christ. The following is adapted from the Blue Letter Bible Institute’s soteriology class.
In Hebrews 13:20 it says, “Now the God of peace that brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, that great Shepherd of the sheep, through the blood of the everlasting covenant…” We were always in His heart. He is a shepherd. He always will be a shepherd. He is the Good Shepherd. He is the Great Shepherd of the sheep. “Sheep I have which are not of this fold, them I must also bring,” He said, in John 10:16. “I lay down My life for the sheep” (John 10:15). My sheep hear My voice and I know them and they follow Me” (John 10:27).
One of the most wonderful consequences for the heart of the Shepherd was that, like all good shepherds, He would have a flock—redeemed and bought by His own precious blood.
Well, what about for believers? Once you’ve entered this flock, are there still special consequences of this salvation? Well, you can make up a long list, can’t you? Freedom from the penalty of the law, Galatians 3:13. “Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law, being made a curse for us. For it is written, cursed is everyone that hangeth on a tree.”
He came, of course, and died to give us eternal life (John 3:14-15). “As Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up that whoever believes in Him will have eternal life.”
Sanctification (Hebrews 10:10) “By that will [His will to be obedient to the Father] we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.” If you’ve come to know Jesus as your Savior, you are already sanctified.
We have justification, (Romans 5:9) “through His blood we are justified, by His blood.”
Deliverance, we are “loosed from our sins” (Revelation 1:5). Some translations say “washed from our sins.” It’s a Greek word louo, to loose from our sins. Like you loose a donkey or a horse that’s tied up, you just loose him and let him go.
Forgiveness, “In whom we have forgiveness of sins through His blood” (Ephesians 1:7).
Perfection, Hebrews 10:14 says very clearly, “By one offering He hath perfected forever them that are sanctified.” In Christ, I am absolutely perfect. I am absolutely perfect in Christ. Good to remind yourself of that when you feel kind of stressed out and bummed out.
We have access to God. “Having boldness to enter the holiest by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way, which He consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, His flesh” (Hebrews 10:19-20).
“And there’s no condemnation [praise the Lord] for those who are in Christ Jesus” (Romans 8:1).
“Who is He that is condemning?” says Romans 8:34. “It is Christ that died, yea rather that has risen again.”
Don’t these make you want to say “hallelujah” or “amen” or “praise the Lord”?!