What does the bible say is the basis for salvation? Is it our faith in Jesus Christ? Is it based on the service we give to God, our works? Is it something else? Let us investigate.

The first thing we should establish is who is responsible for salvation, and what salvation means. Revelation 7:10 tells us who this is, ";And they keep shouting with a loud voice, saying: ′Salvation we owe to our God, who is seated on the throne, and to the Lamb.′" That states it plainly: the source of our salvation is Jehovah, assisted by Jesus Christ, referred to here as "the Lamb". "After this I heard what seemed to be a loud voice of a great crowd in heaven. They said: "Praise Jah! The salvation and the glory and the power belong to our God, because his judgments are true and righteous." Jah, of course, is a shortened form of Jehovah. Therefore, It is established that salvation comes from Jehovah. Paul in his letter to Titus, puts it this way (Titus 2:11), "For the undeserved kindness of God has been manifested, bringing salvation to all sorts of people."

What is the purpose? Paul in Romans, 5:21 asks, then answers this question: "To what end? So that just as sin ruled as king with death, so also undeserved kindness might rule as king through righteousness leading to everlasting life through Jesus Christ our Lord."

The reference in Titus and the reference in Romans both bring something else into the discussion. They refer to Jehovah′s "undeserved kindness" as the source of salvation. Romans even refers to this undeserved kindness as a king which brings everlasting life. Describing this kindness as "king" must surely imply that it has the greatest influence of all. However, Paul also drew attention to the fact that this undeserved kindness would be widely given. He wrote in Romans, 3:24, "And it is as a free gift that they are being declared righteous by his undeserved kindness through the release by the ransom paid by Christ Jesus." This reminds us of what is declared in the book of Revelation: That salvation comes from Jehovah with the assistance of Jesus Christ!

But does the bible not say in John 3:16, "For God loved the world so much that he gave his only-begotten Son, so that everyone exercising faith in him might not be destroyed but have everlasting life." And also in Romans, 10:9, "For if you publicly declare with your mouth that Jesus is Lord, and exercise faith in your heart that God raised him up from the dead, you will be saved"? Yes, it does say that exercising faith is required, but Paul, in the next verse of Romans, says, "For with the heart one exercises faith for righteousness, but with the mouth one makes public declaration for salvation." Speaking publicly, of course, is an action or a work.

The apostle Paul also wrote in 2 Timothy, 3:15, "From infancy you have known the holy writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus." But, Paul also then continues in verses 16-17, "All Scripture is inspired of God and beneficial for teaching, for reproving, for setting things straight, for disciplining in righteousness, so that the man of God may be fully competent, completely equipped for every good work."

We should also note that Jesus Christ, himself, said, as recorded in Matthew, 7:21, "Not everyone saying to me, ′Lord, Lord,′ will enter into the Kingdom of the heavens, but only the one doing the will of my Father who is in the heavens will." This statement by the most knowledgeable person on the subject of salvation, apart from Jehovah, specifies that actually doing Jehovah′s will is necessary for salvation.

These two aspects of salvation are brought together, and the relationship between them explained by James in his letter (chapter 2, verses 14-20), "Of what benefit is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith but he does not have works? That faith cannot save him, can it? If any brothers or sisters are lacking clothing and enough food for the day, yet one of you says to them, ′Go in peace; keep warm and well fed,′ but you do not give them what they need for their body, of what benefit is it? So, too, faith by itself, without works, is dead. Nevertheless, someone will say: ′You have faith, and I have works. Show me your faith without the works, and I will show you my faith by my works.′ You believe that there is one God, do you? You are doing quite well. And yet the demons believe and shudder. But do you care to know, O empty man, that faith without works is useless?" Then in verses 24-26 he says, "You see that a man is to be declared righteous by works and not by faith alone. In the same manner, was not Rahab the prostitute also declared righteous by works after she received the messengers hospitably and sent them out by another way? Indeed, just as the body without spirit is dead, so also faith without works is dead."

However, we should not get so caught up in the discussion of the relationship between faith and works, since the scriptures make it clear that both are needed, that we forget the most important factor. Paul draws attention to it in 2 Timothy, 1:9, "He saved us and called us with a holy calling, not because of our works, but because of his own purpose and undeserved kindness." That is the true basis for salvation: Jehovah′s undeserved kindness through which he displays the great love he has for mankind.

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