Why Salvation 

is Only Through Jesus Christ?

By Nab B. 

September 25, 2023

Updated Mar 2026

This message is aimed at atheists, agnostics, those with doubts or confusion. My purpose is to present the plain truth of the scriptures to skeptics and non-believers alike. Read with an open mind because likely, you haven't heard this message since it isn't shared much around. As a free person, you have every right to accept or refuse!

Most humans know that something is wrong with this life. From the womb to the tomb, we grow up, work, invent, procreate, build, and dream up ideas, only to have all come to an end! It matters little what we believe; it all ends in "futility." What is worse, there seems to be nothing that can rescue us from this futility: No leader, no sage, no organization, no government, no science, nor technology! Our world, so it seems, has been deliberately "Subjected to corruption and futility." But who did it? Would you believe it if God did it? Stay with me, for it gets intriguing!

God's Plan of Rescue

While God has allowed the human mess to go on, He has set a plan to rescue us. It has been underway for the past 2,000 years, regardless of whether we like it or hate it, believe it or disbelieve it, deem it brilliant or foolish. 

God owes us nothing. Although divine justice demands our death, it is divine love and grace that rescue us, "freely" imparting endless life. We owe God everything—this short life and the next one if we choose. 

God's rescue plan, salvation, is a hurricane that stops at nothing til His will is done. We do well not to ignore it, make light of it, or pretend it ain't there!

The countdown of humanity's last age began ticking when the only sinless man, Jesus Christ, died on a cross. Although you heard his story, it is paramount to recognize that His death was first and foremost a "story of love," and second, a legal transaction on our behalf. 

It kick-started God's rescue plan.

You may object and feel that other roads also lead to man's salvation and progress. While some roads may have limited benefits, not all roads lead to the ultimate salvation from futility, sin, and death! 

You may be a Buddhist, a Muslim, an atheist, a scientist, a philosopher, a tradesperson, etc, with enough wisdom to sufficiently know that there must be an intelligent, perfect and wise Being behind the mystery we call "life." Such knowledge alone, I assure you, while advantageous, does not save us from our "futile" life and "eventual" death. Understand that "death," itself, is a sign that points to something greatly needed.

Why Christ  Needed to Die?

We come to the crux of the matter. Why was one man needed to die for all? "Love" is God's first motivation. "Justice" or legality is God's second. We are not speaking of human justice; rather, God's justice. As I see it, through God's justice, three things were fulfilled:

1. LIFE FOR LIFE

Adam, God's first perfect son, was responsible for our mess. His disobedience brought death to himself and to all by association. Don't presume it was a simple problem to fix. God's first rule, "life for life,"  had to be applied.

Who could pay for Adam's life? None of his offspring who are born in sin could ever qualify. A sinless life, born directly of God (as Adam), was needed. If such a one were found and willingly sacrificed in death, in Adam's stead (and all of us), it would mete out God's perfect justice. This gives the willing sacrificed man the power to redeem all lost humans (past, present, and future). The following passages convey this thought: 

"For our sake, He (God) made him (Jesus) to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God." (2 Corinthians 5:21)

"Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law (death) by becoming a curse for us." (Galatians 3:13 ESV)

2. BLOOD SACRIFICE 

Many are shocked at the thought that God had to kill His own Son to save humanity. Hopefully, your shock will fade when you know that God's law requires and demands blood sacrifice for the forgiveness of sin: "Without the shedding of blood, there is no forgiveness." (Hebrews 9:22) Now, you may disagree, but just recognize who you do disagree with!

Is it any "blood sacrifice"? No, not any blood can qualify to eradicate the sin of Adam (or all humanity). Only the blood (the life) of a sinless MAN who is born and died without sin can! And this can ONLY be fulfilled in Jesus Christ, the "Last Adam."

• As God created Adam directly, so did Jesus. 

• As Adam was created perfect, so was Jesus. 

• As Adam died, so did Jesus. 

• As Adam's sin spread to all, so also Jesus' forgiveness spread to all. 

• Adam's sin takes life, Jesus death gives life.

And that's where the parallel stops. Unlike Adam, Jesus never sinned. He willingly offered his life as a "sin offering" in exchange for our lost lives. Jesus' sacrifice fully expressed God's divine love and meted out His justice.

3. FAITH

There's nothing a man can do to pay for God's salvation since we are all sinners and condemned to death. Because of our helplessness, God did everything through Christ's sacrificial life to save those who believe. Salvation is called a "free gift." But it requires one thing from us, "faith," or else, the gift is not granted.

"Without faith, it is impossible to please God. For it behooves the one drawing near to God to believe that He exists and that He becomes a rewarder to those earnestly seeking Him out." (Heb 11:6)

You could hear some say, "Is this real?" or "How could it be?" It is real, and it is God's gift for all humanity, without a catch. For a good reason, it is called "The good news" of God and of Christ of a life with no death in view. His "gift" is not based on merits, works, status or ethnicity. Only "true faith."

"Therefore, being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ." (Rom 5:1),

What Jesus' Death is Not!

Christ's death is not a sentimental, emotional gesture: 

Christ's death is God's perfect love intertwined with His justice and mercy to remove the curse of sin and death for "weak" humans, lovingly and legitimately. 

"For when we were yet without strength, in due time Christ died for the ungodly." (Rom 5:6)

Christ's death is not optional:

Christ's death leads us to this new life; there's nothing else! Whether you ridicule it or embrace it, read the following passage carefully to compare God's view and humans' view of Christ's death on the cross. Ask yourself, "On which view do I stand?"

“For the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.” (1 Corinthians 1:18 ESV)

Christ's death made him God's "life-giving Spirit": 

Be sure that Jesus did not die just to leave us a legacy as a "great prophet," or a "great teacher," or to remain dead like all other religious sages and prophets. Jesus was raised on the third day. Ever since, he has become a "life-giving Spirit." 

"The first man Adam became into a living soul; the last Adam into a life-giving spirit." (1 Corinthians 15:45 BLB)

Christ's death is not a sign of weakness or failure: 

It unleashed God's hidden wisdom and power to grant life without death to genuine believers. These passages say it better:

"I came that they (all people) may have life and have it abundantly." (John 10:10 ESV)

"For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved." (John 3:17)

What Happens if I Don't Respond?

Without Jesus Christ, we will simply perish! If we choose not to believe, we will simply be granted to live our allotted time on this earth, but we will have missed unimaginable God’s salvation (rescue). Choosing not to believe causes one to die forever in his or her Adamic sin unremoved. We are saved by faith in "Christ's blood" that removes our sin nature.

At the point of truly believing, our sinful nature is removed and forgiven. A seal, a "guarantee" by God's Holy Spirit through Christ, is received by the new believer, guaranteeing that a life without death has begun, and a bodily resurrection after death awaits.

“Everyone who looks on the Son and believes in him should have eternal life, and I will raise him up on the last day.” (John 6:40)

"They said...“Brothers, what should we do?” Peter replied, “Each of you must repent of your sins and turn to God, and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. Then you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit." (Acts 2:37-38 NLT)

What of Those Who Never Heard of Jesus?

Surely, not everyone heard of Jesus or his gospel, at least not sufficiently to accept or refuse. So, what about those who never heard of Jesus? Some Christians feel that only those who actively accept Jesus are saved, while the rest will not. This is not exactly scriptural. First, God knows our hearts and is often much more merciful than humans are to one another!

Paul showed how God will have "no partiality" when it comes to judging all humans through Christ, be it believers and non-believers. It will be according to this pattern, as I understand it:

1. Those who CHOOSE willingly to sin apart from God's law will perish according to their choice. 

2. Those who CHOOSE to sin under God's law (old or new) will be judged accordingly.

3. Those who unknowingly fulfill God's new law by nature (unconsciously) will be judged accordingly.

Here's the passage that supports this view:

"God shows no partiality. For all who have sinned without the law will also perish without the law,

"And all who have sinned under the law will be judged by the law. For it is not the hearers of the law who are righteous before God, but the doers of the law who will be justified. 

"For when Gentiles, who do not have the law, by nature, do what the law requires, they are a law to themselves, even though they do not have the law. They show that the work of the law is written on their hearts, while their conscience also bears witness, and their conflicting thoughts accuse or even excuse them on that day when, according to my gospel, God judges the secrets of men by Christ Jesus." (Romans 2:11-16 ESV)

Because of Jesus' death, God had mercifully overlooked our past sins and ignorance. Since Jesus' death, God is "Commanding all people" to "repent" (to change their hearts and minds) before death comes knocking.

"The times of ignorance God overlooked, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent because he has fixed a day on which he will judge the world in righteousness by a man whom he has appointed; and of this, he has given assurance to all by raising him from the dead.” (Acts 17:30-31 ESV)

Will You Consider Jesus Christ Seriously?

All I say is to consider Jesus Christ, regardless of what you think or prefer. It really does not matter what we think! It may sound like a harsh statement, but God has already been deciding who is in and who is out with every passing generation. Because human life is short, it is imperative to decide before our own death comes calling!

If God’s plan of Salvation looks to you foolish and unnecessary, it may be because you have not asked Him to open your eyes! Ask sincerely and desperately, and watch how He will engineer your circumstances to answer you.

Believing is more than an intellectual exercise. Initially, you will need to be familiar with God’s plan. Faith, though, needs another ingredient beyond intellect, and it is this:

“No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him…This is why I told you that no one can come to me unless it is granted him by the Father.” (John 6:44, 64-65 ESV)

According to the above, it is God who"draws" you towards His Son in ways we don't fully understand. He does not do it by force, but according to your inner heart's desire and conviction.

We Can Only Plead for Mercy!

None of us exists by our own will. Life was gifted by God according to His determination for every single human. Our parents did not invent the miracle of procreation. God did. 

We live in God's universe! We are His creatures, whether we acknowledge it or not! So, we cannot debate or plead our cases with Him. Rather, we can plead for His mercy by faith in God's wonderful work through Jesus Christ on the Cross. 

It's the only way!

No human can afford to ignore Jesus Christ as the only way to him and to God. His claims are too serious to ignore, 

“Jesus said, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” (John 14:6 ESV) 

If this message touches your heart, there is no better time than now, today, to accept God’s "free gift" of an endless and pure life through Christ the Saviour.

"Behold, now is the favourable time; behold, now is the day of salvation." (2 Cor 6:2)

Do it while you have the breath of life. Let God remove the death-dealing, sinful nature, through the washing and regenerative power of Christ's shed blood (his death), healing you, forever!

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