The Only Savior!

James Smith, 1860

It is remarkable with what ease and readiness, a spiritual mind turns from a temporal to a spiritual subject. When Peter and John had saved the poor lame man at the Beautiful gate of the temple from his lameness, and conferred on him perfect health and strength; being questioned thereupon by the priests and captain of the temple, they avowed that they had healed the poor man in the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth; and then they asserted that he was the only Savior of the soul — saying, "Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved." Acts 4:12. Man needs salvation — he cannot save himself — Jesus is appointed to save — and he is the only Savior.

Salvation! What is it? It is a deliverance from sin — in its guilt, power, and penal consequences. It is a deliverance from Satan — his authority, power, and dominion. It is a deliverance from the wrath of God — and the bestowment of his best and richest blessing. Salvation is a restoration to the image of God, the smile of God, and the presence of God — or, a restoration to holiness, happiness, and safety! Salvation is for man — for sinners — for sinners as sinners. No qualification is required, no conditions are made, for the gospel says to all, and to each one that it addresses, "Come — and be saved! Come — and be saved!" Salvation is in Christ, and by Christ alone. Salvation is God's greatest blessing, and man's highest privilege! To say that a man is saved, and saved by Christ Jesus, is to say that he is blessed indeed — blessed with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places.

Salvation is by CHRIST ALONE! No one can save but Jesus, for he alone could make a satisfactory atonement for our sin — he alone could produce the righteousness necessary to justify our souls — he alone can exert the power needful to raise us from a death in sin, rescue us from Satan's power, and conduct us safely to glory.

No one has authority to save but Jesus. He is given to save. Given under heaven, among men, being intended for fallen man — not fallen angels. There is no other name or person, whereby we must be saved — but Jesus alone. He saves such wretched sinners as we are. He saves freely, by grace and not by works. He saves eternally, not for a time — but forever. Any one may be saved by Christ — but no one can be saved without Christ. His blood can cleanse any conscience. His righteousness can justify any person. His power will reach any case. If therefore any one is not saved, it is because he has not heard of Jesus, or hearing — has refused to come to him for life.

To be saved we must receive the Spirit, for we are saved by the washing of regeneration, and the renewing of the Holy Spirit. To receive the Spirit, we must come to Jesus, for he has the blessing, and has promised to give the Holy Spirit unto those who ask him. Coming to Jesus, is believing on him, trusting in him, confiding in his person, work, and word. When we do so — then we appeal to him, receive from him, and realize that we are saved by him.

Come then, reader, come to Jesus! Come to be saved. Come now, delay not a moment. Rest not, until you are saved. If you are not saved by Jesus, you are lost forever! And you cannot be saved by Jesus, without faith in him; and as we have said, faith is the heart going out to him, resting on him, and committing itself and all its concerns to him. Blessed be God for Jesus Christ — for Jesus Christ as a Savior — and for a free, full, and everlasting salvation by him! Blessed be God that Jesus can save — that Jesus will save — that Jesus waits to save! Blessed be God if Jesus has saved us, and if we have felt his subduing power, his cleansing blood, and his sanctifying grace! Blessed be God that if we are not saved, we may be, and be saved now and for evermore!