​Salvation is free but it is not cheap. It is without money but also without price. The gospel has a simplicity yet it must never be undervalued. Appreciating the fulness of the gospel should be our daily delight. It has dimensions that challenge our ability to measure. There are at least eight ways in which we can attempt to measure the greatness of salvation.

​Andrew Gray draws out the dimensions of this great salvation in a sermon on Hebrews 2:3 “How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation”. This great salvation is offered in the gospel. In Ephesians 1:13 it is called “the gospel of our salvation” and in Acts 13:26 “the word of this salvation”.

1. Its Great Cost

No less a price was laid down to purchase this great salvation than the blood of the Son of God. Where does salvation flow to you from? It comes running to you in a stream of the blood of the Son of God. This is clear from Hebrews 9:12: “Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us” (see also Acts 20:28).

2. Its Great Victory

It is a great salvation in view of the many difficulties and great opposition in the way of bringing it about. What great impediments lay in Christ’s way before He could accomplish and bring about this great salvation? Was not the justice of God to be satisfied? Was He not to die and be made like one of us? Was He not to lie in the grave? Was He not to bear the torments of hell before this great salvation could be accomplished and brought to pass?

There were such impediments in the way of bringing about this great salvation that, if all the angels in heaven had attempted it, they would have been crushed under it. Even if there was only that one great impediment of satisfying the justice and pacifying the wrath of God. No one could go through this except the eternal Son of God. No one could try to enter much less could get through it, except He alone who was mighty to save.

3. Its Great Esteem

It is a great salvation in respect of the high estimation that the saints have for it. There is no mercy which they think comparable to this, all other mercies are but like Zoars (i.e. little), in comparison of this great mercy and gospel salvation.

4. Its Great Effects

This salvation produces great effects. Many of these are opened up to us by David in Psalm 19:7-10. Bringing us out of nature into a state of grace is a great effect is it not? Is it not a great effect to make us friends who were enemies? That is an effect of our great salvation. Is not a great effect to make us who were moving in the way to hell, move in the way to heaven? That is an effect of this great salvation. Is not this also a great effect, to make us who were far off not to be made near? Yet this is the effect of this great salvation. And is it not a great effect to make us who were darkness, to become light in the Lord? That is the great effect of this gospel salvation. Time would fail me to tell of the great effects of this great salvation. But O will you come and see? That will be the best answer you can have to this question as what are the effects of this great salvation?

5. It Great Advantages

• Is not heaven a great advantage? This gain awaits those who embrace this great salvation.
• Is not Jesus Christ a great advantage? He awaits those who embrace this great salvation.
• Is not eternal communion with God a great advantage? This awaits those who embrace this great salvation.
• Is not eternal liberation from the body of death a great advantage? This awaits those who embrace this great salvation.
• Is not eternal singing in the enjoyment of God a great advantage? This awaits those who embrace this great salvation.
• Is not eternal seeing of God as He is, a great advantage? Yet this awaits those who embrace this great salvation. Would you be honourable? Come and embrace this great salvation. Would you be eternally happy? O then come and partake of this eternal salvation.

6. Its Great Pre-eminence

It is greater all other salvations that ever were accomplished. There never was a salvation or victory (obtained by any general or captain for a land or people) that could have the name of great salvation in comparison with this.

7. Its Great Authority

We have spoken of its great cause and effects: it is also a great salvation in relation to its authority. Who is the author of this great salvation? Christ: “He became the author of eternal salvation unto them that obey him” (Hebrews 5:9). This salvation must therefore be suited to such an author. It is a most noble and radiant beam of the majesty of the Son of God, the Mediator that He is the author of this great salvation.

8. Its Great Duration

It is not a salvation which is but for a day, but it is an eternal salvation. “He obtained eternal salvation for us” (Hebrews 9:12).

Before You Go Away…

Before you go away think about this: whether or not you intend to embrace this great salvation now while you may have it. This day I have set life and death before you. I have set before you both the great salvation and the great damnation.

O that you had understanding in all these things! O that being wise you might be provoked at last to embrace this great salvation which we yet again urge you to think upon! I have this day presented it to you from the Lord. Is heaven not looking on you at this time to see what you will do with this great offer of salvation?

Now, to Him…

• that can persuade you to embrace this great salvation, this gospel redemption, this blessed mystery, into which the angels desire to look:
• who can bring you back from the pit, and enlighten you with the light of the living:
• who has the keys of your prison, who can open, and none can shut, and can shut, and none can open:
• who hath all power in heaven and earth communicate to him, who can deliver you from the grave, and can set you free from all your enemies,

…we desire to give praise.

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