The Salvation Covenant

The death of Christ on Calvary made salvation possible for every person

who has ever lived or who will ever live. Unlike the promise of the seasons,

salvation is not unilateral—it is not given to everyone, regardless of what

they do. The belief that everyone will be saved is called “universalism.”

Instead, Jesus clearly taught that, though He died for all humanity, many

people travel the broad way to destruction and eternal death (Matt. 7:13, 14).

What do the following texts have to say about how people receive the

gift of salvation in Jesus?

1 John 5:13

Matt. 10:22

John 6:29

2 Pet. 1:10, 11

Paul understood the bilateral nature of the salvation covenant. Knowing

that he was soon to be executed, and in spite of the fact that many of his

companions had forsaken him, Paul confidently told his dear friend

Timothy that he had upheld his end of the bargain. “For I am now ready

to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand. I have fought a

good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: Henceforth

there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the

righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto

all them also that love his appearing” (2 Tim. 4:6–8).

Paul says, “I am ready [because] I have fought a good fight, I have

finished my course, I have kept the faith.” Paul, though, was always

very clear that salvation is by faith alone, not by the deeds of the law,

and so here he is not somehow looking at his works or achievements

as earning him merit with God. The “crown of righteousness” awaiting

him is the righteousness of Jesus, which Paul, by faith, has claimed for

himself and has held on to until the end of his life.

Though salvation is an unmerited gift, what’s the difference

between those who accept the gift and those who don’t? What

does accepting this gift require that we do?