The Lord Jesus taught a lot of things about the will of God while He was still on earth. Those things are recorded in the Gospels, and they provide a considerable amount of instruction about salvation and discipleship.

Concerning salvation, John mentions that salvation itself is the result of the will of God. No one is saved (born into God’s family) just because he or she desires it or tries to earn it in any way. Instead, it is because God desires to give it to lost sinners, as stated in the text verse.”

Salvation is given solely because God has chosen to give it freely. He is gracious, but at the same time, He only gives it in such a way that His Son – Who paid the price of our redemption – will be honored.

This is why one’s personal works are rejected and cannot wash away sin: “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast” (Ephesians 2:8,9). This verse (and many others), reveal that salvation is a gift, and, as a gift – it is free to the recipient. By making it a gift – everyone is saved the same way – and we all have the Lord Jesus Christ to thank for it.

Concerning the kind of salvation that God wanted Jesus to offer, Jesus taught that it was permanent – everlasting. He said that the Father would give Him souls for His work on the Cross and that it was His will that none of them be lost and that they all would be raised to glory! Jesus said it in John 6:39,40: “And this is the Father’s will which hath sent me, that of all which he hath given me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up again at the last day. And this is the will of him that sent me, that every one which seeth the Son, and believeth on him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day.”

Did you note that phrase in the above verse – “I should lose nothing?” Also, “that every one” that “believeth” will be raised up? To put it in more modern terms – no believer will be “left behind!”

Another Scripture reveals that God is not willing that anyone go to Hell. Peter makes this clear in II Peter 3:9: God is “longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance.” It means that there is no one that cannot be saved!

If you are not sure of your salvation today, you can be confidant that God is willing to save you. He also desires to give you full assurance of that salvation because it is Christ – not you – that is doing the saving. Eternal life begins the moment you believe – and there is no end. Will you call on Him today and ask Him to forgive and save you?