The apostle Paul—with all his devotion, leadership of churches, sufferings for Christ, brilliant theological letters, and missionary work in unreached areas—was saved by the same way as the thief on the cross.
I recently listened to a sermon where the pastor made that profound point. It’s simple yet shocking, something many of us have heard our whole lives but also is different from all the other worldviews on the planet. In brief, it’s the gospel.
And the same goes for you and me.
- Think of the most committed and devout Christian you know. They will be saved the same way as someone who accepted Christ on a death bed. Christ alone is their hope to have righteousness, to be part of the New Heavens and New Earth, to be loved by God forever. Their zeal for the Lord is a wonderful thing: “Blessed are those who seek him with their whole heart” (Psalm 119:2). But it will not add to their salvation. They will be permitted into glory the same exact way as the most dull but genuine Christian.
- Think of the Christian who has done so much good in their lives. They too will be saved by the same means as the person who has done few good works (like the thief on the cross). The many good works were never done in vain and each will be rewarded (1 Corinthians 15:58; 2 Corinthians 5:10). But this person, like you and me, is saved through Christ’s accomplishments alone. When they stand before God, the many good works will be evidence of their faith, but they truly will contribute nothing to why they are saved.
- Think of the person who has sacrificed the most in missions. Think of a person who reached an area for Christ which previously was unreached, or a person God used to bring thousands of people to praise Christ. This person, too, will be saved in Christ alone. Their eternal fruit will not contribute an ounce to why they’re saved.
- Think of the person you know who has gone through the most suffering while still trusting Christ. Personally, I think this is even more attractive than someone uniquely devoted to the Lord, or someone who has accomplished many good works. To go through immense pain, hurt, and suffering and still trust Christ firmly is an indescribable witness. It’s beautiful and commendable. But still, such a person, when they stand before the Almighty, will be right with God solely because of Christ’s suffering and rising. Their beautiful perseverance in suffering will contribute zero to their salvation. God will not count their wonderful trust as contributing any merit to their salvation. (And you know what’s amazing? Those genuine Christians who have suffered so much while continually trusting Christ wouldn’t want it any other way.)
And the list could continue on.
The most devout Christians are saved because of Christ alone. The Christians with the most good works—actions which truly did bring glory to Christ—are saved because of Christ alone. The missionaries who spread the gospel in stunning ways, the martyrs who died tortuously for Christ, and the people who have gone through immense suffering while still trusting Christ, will all be saved in Christ alone.
Why is this? Because Christianity actually is all about Jesus. That’s not just a catchy, vague phrase; it’s true. A Christian is a Christian. What matters above all—in all they do—is being in Christ, being connected to him and his gospel accomplishments—his obedience, his death on the cross, his rising from the grave, and (wonder of wonders) his place as the Son of God in the Trinity.
This is unlike all other religions and worldviews. All other religions and ways of viewing the world essentially come down to what we can do well. But in Christianity, someone is saved, adopted, and forever loved only because they are connected to Christ. Nothing we do—even in a hundred fruitful, God-glorifying years—can contribute to what he did.
Paul explained this when he penned to Christians,
“You are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, righteousness and sanctification and redemption, so that, as it is written, ‘Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord’” (1 Corinthians 1:30)
“In Christ Jesus” is the key idea which leads to our no-boasting salvation. No matter how devout or fruitful or steadfast in suffering we are, we’re saved only “in Christ Jesus.” And so, on that day when we stand before God, not matter how devout, fruitful, or steadfast we have been in comparison to others, that won’t matter. What will matter is Christ—being found in Christ. He alone will be our boast.
Now, God forbid that this leads us to laziness. Just as people twist the gospel of grace and say, “Why not sin so that grace may abound?” (Romans 6:1), so also some people may hear the above message about how we cannot contribute anything to our salvation and say, “Why not go easy and aim for little devotion, good works, and patience in suffering?” May it never be. Such a response shows a misunderstanding of the gospel—an intellectual misunderstanding, and certainly one of the heart.
May this precious truth rather lead us to worship Christ and be thankful for the gospel. There is no other way to be saved; there is no adding to him.
No matter who you are or what good (or bad) you’ve done, Jesus Christ alone is our hope.
