The word “causes” is defined as – to bring about, to bring into existence. When we think about salvation we need to know the “causes” of this blessing. As with any topic we must go to the Bible to find the answer.
God of course is the original cause of salvation. God created the heavens and the earth (Gen. 1:1). When you read about the creation you find God did it in an orderly manner. Think about it, if man had been created on day one, what would he have stood on, what would he have eaten? You see God created man at the right time so that man had what he needed to survive. God provided for man physically, but not only physically but spiritually. When Adam and Eve were overcome by temptation God provided a way for them and all who have followed them to be saved. “And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between by seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel” (Gen. 3:15). John wrote of God, “For God so loved the world, that he have his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life; For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved” (John 3:16,17).
The sacrificial cause of salvation is Jesus. When man sinned in the garden a perfect man sinned, therefore a perfect sacrifice was needed for redemption. “For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him: (2 Cor. 5:21). Jesus left heaven to come and give His life for our sins. What a wonderful, yet horrible sacrifice it was. Death by crucifixion was not a humane way to die. The victim suffered hours in agony. Our Lord was exhausted from the trials held during the night. He was scourged (which many times killed the person), beaten, spit upon, mocked, finally to have nails driven through His hands and feet to hang from the cross till death occurred. Breathing was a chore from the cross as the weight of the body was pulled by gravity toward the earth. The pain He suffered is unimaginable. This is the horribleness of the death of the Lord. The wonderfulness of the death of Christ is that He died that man might live. Peter wrote, “For Christ also hath once suffered for sins, the just for the unjust, that he might bring us to God, being put to death in the flesh, but quickened by the Spirit:” (1 Peter 3:18). In the book of Hebrews we find, “For then must he often have suffered since the foundation of the world: but now once in the end of the world hath he appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice for himself… So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation” (Heb. 9:26, 28).
The procuring cause of salvation is in the blood that Christ shed. “Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us” (Heb. 9:12). Paul wrote about the saving power of Christ’s blood. “In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;” (Eph. 1:7).
The revealing cause of salvation is the Holy Spirit. Peter explains how this is so in 2 Peter 1:19ff. “We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts: Knowing this first that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation. For the prophecy came not in old time by the will of man: but holy man of God spake as they were moved by the Holy Ghost.” The story of the fall of man and God’s desire and plan to save man has been given by inspiration. When Paul was writing to his son in the faith, Timothy he said, “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works” (2 Tim. 3:16-17). This is the plenary verbally inspired word. It is “God breathed.” God did not leave man to guess about what is required of him, nor of how much did God love man. John (by inspiration) recorded the words of Jesus concerning the work of the Holy Ghost in revealing Christ. “Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will show you things to come. He shall glorify me: for he shall receive of mine, and shall show it unto you. All things that the Father hath are mine: therefore said I, that he shall take of mine, and shall show it unto you” (John 16:13-15). Notice that the Holy Spirit was to glorify Christ and to speak of Christ not himself. Many fail to understand that Jesus made this promise of the Spirit coming to His apostles and that it occurred (Acts 2). It is through the word of God that the Spirit revealed that mankind can know of God’s love for man and God’s plan of salvation for man.
As we read the revealed word we find how man can receive salvation. In the book of Acts is recorded by the inspired Luke that when man heard about Jesus and how God delivered Him to redeem man, the word produced faith (Rom 10:17) they were told to repent (Acts 2:38) they confessed that Jesus was the Son of God (Acts 8:37) and they were baptized for the remission of their sins (Acts 2:38).
Your salvation depends on your reaction to God’s word. Study it and obey it while time is on your side.
“For in that he himself hath suffered being tempted, he is able to succour them that are tempted” (Hebrews 2:18).
“For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need” (Hebrews 4:15-16).
“For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world” Titus 2:11-12
“Be patient therefore, brethren, unto the coming of the Lord. Behold, the husbandman waiteth for the precious fruit of the earth, and hath long patience for it, until he receive the early and latter rain. Be ye also patient; stablish your hearts: for the coming of the Lord draweth nigh” (James 5:7-8).
Riley Nelson
