Jesus Christ Is Salvation
In a time of affluence and anxiety, of social activism and spiritual apathy, the question still burns in the heart of humanity: Do I need salvation? The resounding answer from Scripture and the Church is: Yes, you do.
A Call to Repentance and Life in the Orthodox Way
People of today, hear the eternal Word of the Lord.
In a time of affluence and anxiety, of social activism and spiritual apathy, the question still burns in the heart of humanity:
Do I need salvation?
The resounding answer from Scripture and the Church is: Yes, you do.
Not just salvation from habits, hardship, or inner turmoil.
But salvation from sin — from disconnection with the living God.
From the decay of the soul, the futility of self-righteousness, and the cold weight of death. Yet here is the good news:
Jesus Christ is not merely the provider of salvation. He is Salvation Himself.
📣 “What must I do to be saved?” —
Acts 2:37
This was the cry of the crowd on Pentecost. And Peter, filled with the Holy Spirit, responded clearly:
“Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.” — Acts 2:38
This is still the Church’s answer today.
🔁 1. Repent – Turn Your Whole Life Around
Repentance (metanoia) is more than saying sorry. It is the total reorientation of your life, heart, and mind to God. It means turning away from your own rulership, and surrendering to the Lordship of Jesus.
St. Isaac the Syrian († c. 700) said:
“This life has been given to you for repentance; do not waste it on other things.”
Repentance is not only the door into the Christian life — it is the pathway we walk every day.
💦 2. Be Baptized – Enter into the Death and Life of Christ
“Unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the Kingdom of God.” — John 3:5
Through Holy Baptism, you are mystically buried and raised with Christ. In Chrismation, the Holy Spirit seals you with His presence. In the Eucharist, you are united with the Body and Blood of Christ — the very medicine of immortality.
St. Ignatius of Antioch († c. 108) called it:
“The medicine of immortality and the antidote against death.”
👀 3. See Jesus – With the Eyes of Your Soul
As the bronze serpent was lifted up in the wilderness for healing, so Christ was lifted up on the Cross so that whoever looks to Him in faith may be healed and saved (John 3:14–15). But this vision is spiritual. You must see with the heart.
St. Symeon the New Theologian († 1022) said:
“Without the Holy Spirit, no one can truly see Christ.”
And when you do see Him, you will never be the same.
🕊️ 4. Believe – Not Just with Words, but with Your Life
“Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved.” — Acts 16:31
Faith is not a mere opinion or emotional decision. It is trust. Obedience. Surrender. As Jesus said to the woman caught in adultery:
“I do not condemn you. Go, and sin no more.” — John 8:11
Genuine faith is not passive. It responds to Christ’s mercy with action, obedience, and love.
🔥 5. Be Reborn – Transformed by the Holy Spirit
Being “born again” is not a slogan. It is the supernatural transformation of the human heart through the indwelling of the Holy Spirit.
St. Gregory of Nazianzus († 390) said:
“We are made righteous not by the Law, but by grace — not through our merit, but through the mercy of God.”
And:
“What is not assumed is not healed.” Christ did not heal the depth of our nature, we could not be saved. But He did.
🏛️ 6. Enter the Church – The Ark of Salvation
The Church is not just a community of the faithful. It is the very Body of Christ, the place where divine life is imparted through the mysteries (sacraments), the Preaching and Washing of the Word (Kerygma), and the empowerment of the Gifts of the Spirit (Charisma) as we edify and care for another and where we are spiritually formed in truth.
St. Cyprian of Carthage († 258) wrote:
“He cannot have God for his Father who does not have the Church for his Mother.”
Salvation is personal, but never private. You are saved in communion with the whole Body of Christ — the Church.
⚖️ 7. Receive His Righteousness – Not Your Own
“Seek first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness…” — Matthew 6:33
Your own righteousness will never be enough.
But Christ offers His own righteousness as a gift — through repentance, faith, and the sacraments.
St. Gregory of Nazianzus († 390) again reminds us:
“We are justified not by our works, but by grace.”
St. John Chrysostom († 407) echoes:
“All depends indeed on God, yet not so that our free will is hindered.”
In Orthodox teaching, this is synergy: the cooperation of God’s grace and man’s free response. God initiates, sustains, and completes salvation — but He does not override your will.
✝️ 8. Continue the Journey – Salvation as Theosis
You are not only saved from something. You are saved for something.
Not just forgiveness — transformation
Not just heaven — Holiness & Sanctification
Not just escape — Union & Oneness
“We all… are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory…” — 2 Cor. 3:18
This is called theosis — to become partakers of the divine nature (2 Peter 1:4). To grow in love, humility, and likeness to Christ.
📜 What Must You Do Today?
You may be asking — like they did at Pentecost — “What must I do?”
Here is the Church’s timeless invitation:
- Repent.
- Believe in Jesus Christ.
- Be baptized and sealed with the Holy Spirit.
- Enter the Church and receive the Eucharist.
- Live in obedience, humility, and love.
- Be transformed — from glory to glory.
🕯️ A Prayer of Surrender and Entrance into the Life of Christ
Lord Jesus Christ, Son of the living God,
I believe in You.
I confess my sins.
I turn away from my self-rule, and I surrender my life to You.
Wash me with Your mercy. Fill me with Your Spirit.
Join me to Your Church — Your Body.
Nourish me with Your Word, and feed me with Your life-giving Bread.
Lead me in the path of holiness, and make me new.
You are my Lord. You are my Savior. You are my Salvation.
Amen.
✨ Final Call
“Now is the day of salvation.” — 2 Corinthians 6:2
Do not delay. Come and be saved — not just from judgment, but into the joyful life of the Holy Trinity.
Into the peace that passes understanding, the fellowship of the saints, and the eternal glory of Christ.
Jesus Christ is not just the way to salvation. He is salvation.
Robert Arakaki