Trusting in Christ Alone
On October 16, 2023 by Jacob Jones
What does it mean to trust in Jesus Christ alone for salvation?
Often when sharing the Gospel (or Good News), believers use the phrase “Trusting in Christ alone for salvation”. How would you respond if someone was to ask you, “Well, what does it mean to trust in Jesus Christ alone for salvation?” I was recently asked this question and here is my reply…
Trusting in Jesus Christ alone for salvation must begin with accepting the truths about the Gospel that are laid out in Scripture. Paul tells the Corinthians that the Gospel he was sharing with them was something that they had accepted and therefore, they are saved. He explains that the Gospel is defined as Christ dying for our sins, being buried and then rising again the third day, just like the Scriptures had prophesied. (1 Cor 15:1-4)
To trust in Christ alone for salvation, a person must accept by faith several fundamental truths laid out in Scripture. God grants a person the faith to believe as they submit to the truths in Scripture. (Rom 10:14-17) As a person comes to God in faith, they must also repent of their sin and turn to God’s way of salvation through Christ. (Matt 4:17; Luk 13:3-5; Acts 20:21; 2 Peter 3:9) Repentance is turning away from your way of thinking and turning to God’s way.
A person must first believe that they have a fundamental sin problem that is common among all humanity. (Rom 3:10, 23) Every person is a sinner and can never reach the standard of God’s perfection. (Isa 64:6) Because we are sinners, we deserve God’s eternal and sure punishment for our sin. (Rom 6:23) Although we might think that our good works merit salvation, God says that man’s “good” works are never good enough to get to heaven. (Eph 2:8-10; Titus 3:5-6)
Trusting in Christ alone for salvation is believing in God’s perfect substitute for your sin. (John 1:12; 3:16, 17, 36; 11:25-26; Act 16:31; 1 John 5:13) Believing in Christ alone is claiming the truth of Christ’s sacrifice as your own without trusting in any other method for salvation. (Acts 4:12)
The way a person accepts God’s gift of salvation through Jesus Christ is by faith. (Eph 2:8-10) The faith to believe is a wonderful gift that is supplied and given by God and comes through hearing the Words of God’s Son, Jesus Christ. (Rom 10:17) Upon hearing the Words of Christ, a person must by faith confess Jesus Christ as their personal Saviour, and they must also believe that Jesus is who He claims to be. (Rom 10:9-10) Confession is simply saying the same thing that God is saying about salvation. Believing is simply accepting by faith what God is claiming to be true. (John 1:12)
When a person trusts in Christ alone for salvation and calls out in faith to God for salvation, the Bible says that they will be saved. (Rom 10:13) It is only by God’s grace and mercy that God offers this salvation to wicked sinners. (Eph 2:8-10; Titus 3:5-6) It is a believer’s delight and privilege to share with others the hope and joy that is found in trusting in Christ alone for salvation. “On Christ the solid Rock I stand!”