A “Plan” of Salvation vs. “Provided” Salvation

In the doctrinal framework of Mormonism, the “plan of salvation” is central, laying out a roadmap of guidelines and ordinances that adherents must follow to achieve eternal life. This plan is encapsulated in teachings, which outline steps including faith, repentance, baptism, receiving the Holy Ghost, and enduring to the end (Doctrine and Covenants 14:7; 2 Nephi 31:19-20). The plan is presented as a journey, with Jesus as a mediator and advocate who assists individuals in fulfilling these requirements. In this context, salvation is a process contingent upon one’s obedience and adherence to the laid out path (3 Nephi 12:19-20).

Contrastingly, the biblical narrative describes salvation as a divine initiative wholly provided by God through Jesus Christ’s sacrificial death and resurrection. Romans 5:8 conveys this by stating, “But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” Salvation is clearly an unearned gift. Furthermore, in Titus 3:5, the Apostle Paul underscores this by affirming, “He saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit.” Paul’s words here portray Jesus not as an assistant in the quest for salvation but as the embodiment of salvation itself.

How can we be sure that Jesus has carried out the plan of salvation for us?

Hebrews 10:14 tells us that by one sacrifice, Jesus has made perfect forever those who are being made holy, indicating that his single act of atonement was sufficient for the forgiveness of sins and eternal life. The Bible never describes a partnership or a process that requires human merit, rather, it is a testament to divine grace accessible through faith.

In Romans 6:23, the Apostle Paul describes this dichotomy by contrasting the wages of sin, which is death, with God’s free gift of eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. Throughout the Bible, the forgiveness of sins and eternal life is not a reward for compliance but a gift to be received in humility and trust.

In essence, the plan of salvation, as seen in Mormonism, implies a synergistic approach, where salvation results from divine provision coupled with human effort. Biblical Christianity, however, presents salvation as monergistic, where the divine act of Jesus on the cross is both necessary and sufficient, with no human works required to initiate or complete it. It is a testament to the sufficiency of Christ’s sacrifice, offered freely out of God’s deep love, not contingent upon human ability or worthiness.

A Closer Look: A Complete Rescue

Do you recall the extraordinary Thai cave rescue of 2018? This remarkable event, which captivated the world, is a powerful metaphor to distinguish between following a plan for salvation and receiving a wholly provided salvation.

In the summer of that year, twelve boys and their soccer coach found themselves trapped 2.5 miles inside the Tham Luang cave, ensnared in darkness, with water levels rising and oxygen depleting over 17 harrowing days. Their plight captured global attention, not just for the danger they faced, but also for the remarkable nature of their rescue.

As the world grappled with their dire situation, initial strategies involved teaching the boys to swim and navigate the cave’s perilous waters with scuba gear. However, the cave’s treacherous and complex terrain proved a daunting challenge even for the seasoned Thai Navy SEALs. It became increasingly clear: these boys didn’t merely need guidance or instruction; they needed a savior to brave the depths and bring them to safety.

What made this rescue even more astounding was that the divers who came to save the boys traveled from the other side of the world. These rescuers, bringing skills, experience, and a willingness to brave the unknown, journeyed great distances to do for the boys what they could not do for themselves. This aspect of the rescue underscores the depth of their helplessness and the extent of the sacrifice made by those who came to save them.

The rescue operation took a decisive turn when the divers, acknowledging the impossibility of the boys aiding in their escape, assumed full responsibility. They made the extraordinary decision to sedate the boys, ensuring their calm and safe passage through the submerged labyrinth. This act of sedation, with syringes plunging into their legs, was a stark symbol of their complete reliance on their rescuers. In the face of their helplessness, they trusted those who came to save them.

What does a wholly provided salvation mean for you?

The Tham Luang cave rescue echoes the Christian understanding of salvation. Just as the boys in the cave required rescuers who came from across the globe, so too, in a far greater sense, did humanity need a Savior who came not just from the other side of the world but from a realm beyond this world. Jesus Christ, coming from outside our world, did for us what we could not do for ourselves.

Like the boys trapped in the cave, we find ourselves unable to contribute to our spiritual rescue. The Bible teaches us that, marred by sin, we cannot save ourselves. Salvation is not a joint venture between humanity and the divine; it is a gift, fully and graciously provided by Jesus Christ.

We are not called to follow a set of instructions for our salvation; instead, we are invited to trust in the One who has already secured it.

What is our role in our salvation?

The role of the Thai soccer players post-rescue is particularly telling. Upon emerging from the cave, they became living testimonies to the bravery and sacrifice of their rescuers. As they made the worldwide talk show circuit, they spoke not of their efforts but of the heroic actions of those who saved them.

Similarly, in Christianity, our role is to witness to the Savior who rescued us. We do not boast of our adherence to a plan; instead, we testify to the complete and unearned salvation provided by Jesus Christ. This story of physical deliverance profoundly parallels our spiritual rescue in Christ—a rescue from sin and death, achieved not by our own hands but solely by the grace of God.

This account, both harrowing and inspiring, vividly illustrates the fundamental difference between a salvation that demands our efforts and a wholly and lovingly provided salvation. It’s a reminder that in the Christian faith, our salvation, much like the rescue of the boys from the cave, is an act of grace, mercy, and love—wholly undertaken by a Savior who was willing to do whatever it took to rescue us from the darkness of sin and unbelief and welcome us into the light of his truth.