When God Saves | Pastor Nate Keeler
If God has called us to share the Gospel, we need to be clear about what salvation really is. Many say things like, “Just ask Jesus into your heart,” but what does that actually mean?
Jonah 2 gives us a blueprint for salvation that applies to everyone—regardless of background or past mistakes. As Jonah sat in the belly of the fish, he prayed a desperate prayer that outlines four key realities about salvation. Let’s walk through them together.
1. God’s Justice Against Sin Is Real
Jonah knew he was guilty. There was no argument, no excuses, no listing of his good deeds. He fully recognized that he deserved punishment.
“You hurled me into the depths… I have been banished from your sight.” (Jonah 2:3-4)
Many people struggle with the idea of a just God who punishes sin. Our culture tells us, “You’re fine the way you are!” But if that were true, why does evil exist? Why do we feel guilt when we do wrong?
The Bible is clear: “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” (Romans 3:23)
God is loving, but He is also just. If we don’t understand this, salvation makes no sense. If there’s no sin, there’s no need for a Savior.
This truth is uncomfortable for many. People want a God who is loving but not just. They want forgiveness but don’t want to acknowledge sin. But just like a judge cannot ignore crime, God cannot ignore sin. He is both merciful and just.
2. We Are Helpless to Save Ourselves
Jonah describes his helplessness vividly: “The engulfing waters threatened me, the deep surrounded me… to the roots of the mountains I sank down.” (Jonah 2:5-6)
This is a perfect picture of our spiritual state without Christ. The Bible teaches that sin doesn’t just make us bad—it makes us spiritually dead. And a dead person cannot save themselves.
“You were dead in your transgressions and sins.” (Ephesians 2:1)
The world tells us, “Be a good person, do your best, and God will accept you.” But no amount of good works can erase our sin. Salvation isn’t about trying harder—it’s about trusting Jesus.
Imagine a drowning person. No matter how hard they flail, they can’t save themselves. They need someone to rescue them. That’s us—we are drowning in sin, and only God can save us.
This is a hard truth to accept. Most people believe they contribute to their salvation through good deeds, religion, or morality. But the Bible teaches that even our best efforts fall short. Salvation isn’t a reward for good behavior—it’s a gift for the helpless.
3. God Alone Provides the Way of Salvation
Jonah knew exactly where to look: “Yet I will look again toward your holy temple.” (Jonah 2:4)
In the Old Testament, the temple was the only place where sacrifices could be made for sin. That sacrificial system pointed ahead to Jesus—the true Lamb of God, whose blood would cover our sins once and for all.
“There is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.” (Acts 4:12)
Many people today have a “Mod Pizza faith”—like garnishing a pizza however they want, they take the parts of God they like (love, kindness, blessing) and ignore the parts they don’t (holiness, justice, sin). But true salvation is only found in Jesus Christ.
Jonah’s hope was in the temple, where God had made a way for people to be forgiven. Today, our hope is in Jesus. He is the only way to salvation.
4. Salvation Must Be Received by Faith Alone
Jonah finally acknowledges: “But you, Lord my God, brought my life up from the pit.” (Jonah 2:6)
Salvation is an act of trust. Jonah didn’t save himself—God did. In the same way, we must trust Jesus alone to save us.
The Bible describes salvation as a gift: “For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast.” (Ephesians 2:8-9) You can’t earn a gift. You can only receive it.
Some people think faith is about knowing the right things about Jesus. But faith isn’t just belief—it’s trust. It’s resting fully in what Jesus has done.
Think about sitting in a chair. You don’t just believe the chair exists—you trust it to hold your weight. That’s what faith in Jesus looks like. True faith abandons all other hopes of salvation—good works, religion, self-improvement—and clings to Jesus alone.
How Do You Respond?
Jonah 2 lays out the path to salvation clearly:
- Recognize God’s justice against sin.
- Admit that you are helpless to save yourself.
- Trust that Jesus is the only way.
- Receive salvation by faith alone.
Salvation isn’t about trying harder—it’s about trusting completely. If you’ve never truly surrendered to Jesus, today is the day. Look to the cross like Jonah looked to the temple.