How long can you hold your breath? Try to go more than five minutes without breathing and you will likely die.

It’s not our breath, but God’s breath that flows through our lungs. Without His breath, we die. Likewise, salvation is to our spirit what oxygen is to our bodies. Without it we die.

Every day we try to live without God’s breath, part of our spirit dies. Our spiritual batteries run lower and lower. But God’s power brings salvation.

So what is salvation? Salvation in the Greek means “soterian”, or rescue or safety. MacLaren’s Expositions explains salvation like this:

What is salvation? Negatively, the removal and sweeping away of all evil, both physical and moral. Positively, the inclusion of all good for every part of the composite nature of a man which the man can receive and which God can bestow.

Paul knew firsthand the power of God to save. He was a Christian-hater, and saw many thrown in jail and even murdered. But his life was transformed, rescued, and brought to safety by the power of God.

Only God can turn black to white. A sinner to a saint. It’s the power of God that resides in the cross and resurrection of Jesus. And it’s available to every person, both Jew and Gentile.

Now get this. Paul was on his way to Rome, for the fight of his life. Rome was a godless city trusting in the Greek philosophy. And Paul was about to challenge the undisputed power of King Caesar with the power of God. Paul was ready for the fight. But it wasn’t a fair fight, because Paul fought with the pure Spirit of God…the power of God! Caesar had no chance. Other Christians feared for his life, but not Paul. He said:

“For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek.” Romans 1:16 NKJV

Did you get that? The good news of Jesus

is the power of God unto salvation!

So when we know the power of God that lives in us, what should we fear? Our salvation is the doorway to God’s power, which gives us everything we could ever need.

Everything we need or will ever need is found in our salvation in Christ! That’s why we are eternally grateful. And that’s why we share our faith with others!