The Process of Salvation

Let’s go back to John Chapter 2:23-25 where he prepares Nicodemus to approach Jesus in the evening recorded in John 3:1-15. This passage clearly points to us God’s sovereignty particularly in verse 8 which says, “The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear the sound of it, but cannot tell where it comes from and where it goes. So is everyone who is born of the Spirit.” Since the dawn of history people are always fascinated about the movement of the wind. Thank God for Science and technology because to some extent we have a better understanding about the movement of the wind. Jesus used this natural metaphor about the control and movement of the Spirit which human beings are unable to know in relation to salvation.

Who is in control? God of course, as emphasised in the story according to vv.1-15 (please read). According to 2:23 “Now while he was in Jerusalem at the Passover Festival, many people saw the signs he was performing and believed in his name. (NIV). Most probably Nicodemus misunderstood the nature of the miracles Jesus performed. Here in chapter 3 Jesus wants to point out to Nicodemus that God alone is in control in the process of salvation, no one else. Not even Nicodemus’s own righteousness. He was religious, but not righteous.

Jesus strongly points out to him that he needs to be born again from above vv.3,7. This is further emphasised in the 3:27 which says, “A man can receive nothing unless it has been given to him from above.”

We will continue to study all the chapters that emphasise the process of salvation. You may read chapter 3 to 6 for the time being and note God’s sovereignty and man’s responsibility. You will notice that as you study in greater depth—it is very obvious that God is in charge of the salvation process. That sounds controversial and Calvinistic to you?

Try to research, as you challenge yourself to read about the Reform(ed) Theology. May the Spirit of truth and grace help you to understand in greater depth the Word of God. All by GRACE!