Jehovah Jesus - The Lord Our Saviour
Isaiah 43:3 – “For I am the Lord thy God, the Holy One of Israel, thy Saviour.”
An elderly gentleman was out walking with his young grandson. "How far are we from Home?" he asked the grandson. The boy answered, "Grandpa, I don't know." The grandfather asked, "Well, where are you?" Again the boy answered, "I don't know." Then the grandfather said good-naturedly, "Sounds to me as if you are lost." The young boy looked up at his grandfather and said, "Nope, I can't be lost. I'm with you." Ultimately, that is the answer to our lostness, too. We can't be lost if He is with us.
And just as He tells the children of Israel through His prophet Isaiah, He is with us always. Look in the previous two verses – verse 1 – “Fear not: for I have redeemed thee, I have called thee by thy name; thou art mine.” This promise, given directly to the nation Israel, also extends to the church – believers in the grace of God – saints through His redemptive power. He says so in this verse, “I have redeemed thee.” That means He has purchased us. And what the cost? The blood of His dear Son. And since He has purchased us, now we are His – He said, “Thou art mine.” Then verse 2 – “When thou passest through the waters, I will be with thee; and through the rivers, they shall not overflow thee: when thou walkest through the fire, thou shalt not be burned; neither shall the flame kindle upon thee.” Isn’t it wonderful to have the presence of God with us at all times. In verse 5, He says, “Fear not: for I am with thee.”
Then in verse 11, He says, “I, even I, am the LORD [Jehovah]; and beside me there is no saviour [Joshua, Jesus].” He is our Saviour, our deliverer, our provider, our protector. He and He alone has the power to provide salvation to each and every sin-sick soul. Look at His promise to Mary in Matthew 1:21, “Thou shalt call his name JESUS; for he shall save his people from their sins.” The name Jesus means Saviour. It’s the same word as Joshua in the Old Testament. His very purpose in coming to this earth was to save sinners – to provide salvation – to make a way of escape from the damnation of eternal separation from God – to “save his people from their sins.”
Salvation has a sure foundation – the finished work of Christ at Calvary. Salvation is in Jesus Christ, not in works. Titus 3:5 tells us, “Not by works of righteousness which we have done.” Man cannot work for his salvation – it comes only by faith. Ephesians 2:8-9, “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.” Man cannot keep the law for salvation. Galatians 2:16 says, “A man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ.” The law tells us to do – do – do, whereas grace tells us, “Thank God, it’s already done.” Salvation was complete in Jesus. Look at 1 Corinthians 3:11 – “For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Christ Jesus.”
Salvation has a sure reception – the faith of Jesus Christ and His shed blood. Hebrews 11:4 – “By faith Abel offered a more excellent sacrifice than Cain.” What was the difference? Works vs. blood sacrifice – Faith. Man can be redeemed only by faith – only by the blood of a sacrifice – “by the shedding of blood is remission.” Acts 16:31 says, “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved.” The church cannot save – or baptism – or works – or self – but our faith is centered in Jesus Christ. He is the object of our faith.
Salvation has a sure evidence – the fruit of the Spirit made manifest in our lives. When a person is genuinely born again he’ll produce evidences. Galatians 5:22-23 give us the fruit that the Spirit of God produce in the Christian’s life – “Love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance.” These are the things that should be evident in our lives.
Quote – “The difference between religion and salvation is from the head to the heart.” – Melvin Vaughan
