Can I be saved without Jesus? To address this question,  we first need to define the term “saved”.

In Greek, the word saved is ‘sozo’, which can literally be translated into salvation and at its most basic level means, “rescuing one from great peril”. Now, in this case, we’re asking if the rescuing from the great peril (eternal death) is by Jesus. The simple answer to this is another question. Who else has overcome death other than Jesus? Who was the only one to raise Himself from death? Who else, apart from Jesus, has any kind of authority over death? As it is written in Romans 14:9, that He, Jesus, is “The God of the living and of the dead”.  Clearly stating that only He has authority over all, to give and to take life, because He is the ruler of both the living and the dead.

Another way to analyse this is to ask How are we saved?  Ephesians 2:8 says, “For by Grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God.”  It is also written in Romans 3:23-24, “for all have fallen short of the glory of God, being justified freely by His grace through the redemption of Jesus Christ”. In both of the previous verses, it is made very clear that salvation is God’s, and that no one deserves it and no one can earn it. But also it says that God gives it “freely by his grace” to those who have “faith, and not of yourselves”. His mercies indeed reconcile who accepts His redemption, and His justice indeed will reward our works. Romans 2:5-6 “But in accordance with your hardness and your impenitent heart you are treasuring up for yourself wrath in the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God, who “will render to each one according to his deeds”, 2 Corinthians 5:10 “For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may receive what is due for what he has done in the body, whether good or evil.”

God is the ruler of the living and of the dead, but neither the living nor the dead are worthy of salvation, and neither is God obliged to give it. If God gives it, it is out of His goodness; and He promised those who have faith in Him. Romans 9:15,” I will have mercy on whomever I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whomever I have compassion”. Also, we need to be sure that ”God our Saviour desires all to be saved” (1 Timothy 2:3-4). Or else why did God go through this whole salvation process and get spat on, beaten, and crucified?

The answer is clear and has two parts. Bluntly, I cannot be saved without Jesus Christ; no one can because He is the only true God; and He is the only one who can rescue us from the great peril (death) because He is the only one who has conquered it. The second part is the instinctive follow-up question. “So does that mean so-and-so will go to hell?”. The answer to that is: we know his words, he said according to the Gospel of St Matthew 12:36-37 “But I say to you that for every idle word men may speak, they will give account of it in the day of judgment. For by your words, you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned”. We hold onto the reality that God is good, merciful and just; and to trust in Him, His words and judgements. We need to truly know in our hearts that God desires for all sinners to repent, return to Him and receive eternal life. That’s why He delivered us His redemption, His Holy Spirit, His words. We just need to follow His words, repent, be steadfast in Him, submit ourselves to His goodness and walk in His light. As St Peter said in his Epistle,” And if you call on the Father, who without partiality judges according to each one’s work, conduct yourselves throughout the time of your stay here in fear” (1 Peter 1:17).

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