October 18

salvation from our enemies and from the hand of all who hate us, — Luke 1:71 BSB

The salvation Christ brings to the world is complete.

First, it delivers us from our enemies. We were under condemnation, and Christ’s salvation sets us free. We were imprisoned by death, but now we are liberated.

However, salvation doesn’t stop with freedom from condemnation. We are set free so that we can serve a new Master. Jesus says, “Take My yoke upon you.” We are freed from other masters only by coming under Christ’s rule. We are saved to serve Him.

But this service is not meant to be burdensome or forced. It’s meant to be a joyous, voluntary service motivated by love. We serve Christ by obeying Him—“in holiness and righteousness.” True salvation requires accepting Christ as Lord, which means living in obedience to Him.

No one who is still living a willfully sinful life can truly claim to have received Christ’s salvation.