Salvation can be defined as the act of being rescued from any form of harm. In the Biblical narrative, God liberated the Israelites from the bonds of slavery to enable their unobstructed worship of Him. Nevertheless, they expressed a desire to revert to their former enslavement, willingly trading their liberty to satiate their cravings. They exhibited dissatisfaction with the manna provided by God, yearning instead for the sustenance they had in Egypt. Essentially, they were prepared to relinquish their salvation for momentary and perishable pleasures.
In a similar manner, individuals often find themselves yearning to revert to their previous lifestyles, disregarding the transformative essence of the Word of God. It is indeed alarming how readily we exchange our salvation for transient worldly comforts and pleasures. Why do we exhibit such a willingness to forsake a gift of immense value without any sense of remorse? Might it be that we have not fully comprehended the significance of salvation? What barriers exist that impede our understanding of its true worth?
Born Again Believers
Jesus replied, “Very truly I tell you, no one can see the kingdom of God unless they are born again.” “How can someone be born when they are old?” Nicodemus asked. “Surely they cannot enter a second time into their mother’s womb to be born!” Jesus answered, “Very truly I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless they are born of water and the Spirit. – John 3:3-5 (NIV)
The notion of being “born again” encompasses a complete spiritual transformation—a renewal of one’s inner essence—rather than a literal physical rebirth. Fundamentally, it signifies a commitment to die with Christ to one’s sins and to be resurrected to new life through God, mirroring the resurrection of His Son from the dead (Colossians 2:12). When Jesus referred to being born of “water and the Spirit,” numerous religious leaders interpreted this as a direct allusion to water baptism. Consequently, believers are frequently led to assume that when a servant of God immerses them in water, they enter as their former selves and emerge as a renewed individual—misconstruing this symbolic gesture as the complete experience of being born again.
Moreover, the concept of salvation has become significantly associated with church membership, particularly within congregations where manifestations of the Holy Spirit are apparent. In such settings, individuals frequently assert a sense of being saved and even pose the question to those from differing denominations: “Are you saved?” In the midst of this, the true essence of salvation is frequently obscured. Many take pride in their “born again” experiences and regard themselves as saved; however, they often overlook the spiritual reality that underlies this notion.
Being born of water and the Spirit signifies that, although we exist in the flesh, we must not succumb to its desires; rather, we should be guided by the Holy Spirit. Furthermore, this concept elucidates though we are in flesh, we should not merely be an adherence to rituals, but rather an invitation to become a new creation by welcoming the Spirit of God within us.
Is Salvation Restricted?
While some Charismatic groups tend to view salvation as exclusive to themselves—and that too, from a flawed perspective—many ordinary believers also hold the belief that those who lived before the time of Jesus do not partake in the fullness of salvation. This misconception often stems as they de-linked forgiveness of sins from the concept of “salvation”.
With this mistake, many are misled into thinking that those who lived before Jesus’ death and resurrection had no opportunity to receive the salvation that comes through His righteousness. This misunderstanding is compounded by the misinterpretation of Peter’s statement regarding Christ’s proclamation to the spirits in prison:
After being made alive, he went and made proclamation to the imprisoned spirits — to those who were disobedient long ago when God waited patiently in the days of Noah while the ark was being built. In it only a few people, eight in all, were saved through water.
— 1 Peter 3:19–20 (NIV)
Here, Peter refers specifically to those who disobeyed during Noah’s time. He is not speaking about all who lived during that era. To challenge this mistaken belief, we should also consider the biblical account involving the body of Moses. Although Moses was denied entry into Canaan—an earthly land—this had nothing to do with his place in heaven. If salvation is not accessible to Old Testament people, then how come Jesus was talking to Moses and Elijah during His transfiguration.
From this, we understand that salvation was indeed available to the people of the Old Testament. Many believers fail to grasp this truth because the Old Testament often emphasizes sin offerings and atonement rituals, as means to receive forgiveness for their sins, rather than explicitly using the term “salvation.”
However, many believers today—even after receiving salvation—still hold the belief that it is reserved only for those who formally accept Christianity as a religion and become members of the Christian community through baptism. They assume that anyone outside the bounds of the Christian religion is ineligible for salvation. Everyone is saved, yet many remain unaware of this truth, as certain interpretations of Christianity suggest that salvation is contingent upon conversion of religion. Jesus did not establish any religion rather He showed the path to us to reach our Father in heaven (John 14:6).
Forgetting The Forgiveness
King David sinned against God and was deeply troubled by the guilt of his actions. When we too are burdened by the sins we have committed, it is actually a good sign—it shows that the Holy Spirit is convicting us (2 Corinthians 7:10). If we respond to that conviction and confess our sins, the blood of Christ cleanses us from all unrighteousness (1 John 1:9). Like David, who realized the weight of his sin, we may also feel the loss of joy that comes with salvation and wish to have it restored. David acknowledged that he needed the Spirit’s constant guidance to keep him from falling again.
“Do not cast me from your presence or take your Holy Spirit from me. Restore to me the joy of your salvation and grant me a willing spirit, to sustain me.” — Psalm 51:11–12 (NIV)
In the New Testament, we learn that the Holy Spirit is given to us as a seal of our salvation, securing it until the day we inherit eternal life (Ephesians 1:13–14). However, many believers mistakenly interpret this as a guaranteed entry into the Kingdom of God, regardless of their conduct. It’s surprising to see some who claim to be saved still praying for forgiveness of their sins—this reveals a crucial truth: even saved believers need forgiveness. Then what have they been saved from, if not from sin? Either they remain unredeemed from their transgressions, or they have neglected the memory of their salvation (2 Peter 1:9).
God has already provided salvation through the sacrifice of His Son. Our sins were forgiven on the cross two thousand years ago. What remains is our part: to confess our sins sincerely. The confusion arises when salvation is disconnected from the forgiveness of sins, leading believers to connect the “salvation” available through immersion baptism for the New Testament readers.
Salvation, the forgiveness of sin, was indeed present in the Old Testament, manifested through the continual sacrifice of animals for the atonement of sins. In contrast, the New Testament supersedes this repetitive system with the singular, all-encompassing sacrifice of Jesus Christ, who atoned for the sins of all mankind and resurrected on the third day. Within both covenants, the old and the new, the forgiveness of sins necessitated the shedding of blood (Hebrews 9:22)—albeit the need for repetition is abrogated (Hebrews 10:11–12).
Rather than assuming that salvation was absent in the Old Testament, we must recognize that its foundation remained the same throughout time; only its fulfilment and mode of expression have changed. Salvation, understood as deliverance from sin, has always been available—regardless of the era in which people lived. God’s plan of redemption through the atoning sacrifice of His only Son made salvation accessible to those who lived in the past, those living now, and those who are yet to come.
True Salvation
Many often misunderstand salvation as solely the act of baptism and association with a church that draws individuals through the active power of the Holy Spirit; however, this phenomenon may frequently arise from the influence of malevolent spirits. If it is indeed the works of the Holy Spirit, should not the entire world come to recognize that their sins were forgiven two millennia ago? Furthermore, should not God have added them to His fold?
Salvation pertains to the forgiveness of the sins of all mankind. By consistently using the phrases “delivered from sin” or “forgiveness of sin” instead of merely referring to “salvation,” we can effectively remind ourselves that we are God’s forgiven children and that sin no longer holds dominion over us. If sin continues to exert its influence, it becomes challenging to pose the question to others: “Are your sins forgiven?” rather than simply asking, “Are you saved?” Such questions may also lead to edification when we inquire of others, “As your sins are forgiven, are you able to fully abstain from sinning?”
David understood this truth even before God’s redemptive plan was fully revealed. Refusing to give sin any authority over his life, he pleaded not just for forgiveness but for transformation. He asked God for a new heart and a willing spirit to sustain him on his spiritual journey. It’s important to note that David didn’t merely ask for pardon—he sought the strength to stay away from sin altogether.
When one truly comprehends the loving nature of God’s grace—recognizing that He has forgiven our transgressions and removed them as far as the east is from the west, or into the depths of the sea—should we persist in holding onto guilt and repeatedly imploring for forgiveness? Instead, let us pray as David did, beseeching God to create within us a new heart, one devoid of sin.
The Jordan Valley 
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