Salvation: God’s Restoration Plan for Our Lives

At the heart of the Christian message is a story of love, rescue, and restoration. Salvation is not just about being saved from sin, it’s about being restored to the relationship with God we were always meant to have. From the very beginning, God created humanity to live in fellowship with Him, in peace, purpose, and joy. But sin fractured that relationship, separating us from the life God intended.

Yet, God did not abandon us. His plan of salvation was set into motion from the moment sin entered the world. Through Jesus Christ’s life, death, and resurrection. God provided a way back to Himself. Jesus took upon Himself the punishment for our sin and humanities, offering forgiveness, freedom, and a new beginning.

Salvation is more than a one-time event; it is the ongoing work of God restoring every part of our lives.  Our hearts, minds, relationships, and even our sense of purpose. Through faith in Christ, we are made new. We are given a new identity as children of God, empowered by the Holy Spirit to live in truth, love, and righteousness.

God’s restoration plan is deeply personal yet universally offered. No matter how broken, lost, or far we’ve strayed, His grace reaches us. And when we respond, He begins to rebuild what was ruined, transforming us from the inside out and calling us into a greater story, a higher calling.

Why He Came:

Key Verse:

“For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost.” (Luke 19:10)

1. The Brevity and Vanity of Life

Scripture consistently reminds us that life is fleeting. Psalm 39:5 declares, “every man at his best state is altogether vanity.” Psalm 90:10 echoes that our years are but toil and sorrow, and they quickly pass. 1 John 2:17 says plainly, “The world is passing away, along with its desires.”

Life is fragile, temporary, and full of distractions that pull us away from our eternal purpose. This is why Christ came to offer us more than temporary pleasures. He came to restore what sin stole, to give us eternal life, rooted not in the vanity of this world, but in fellowship with God.

2. The Backdrop of Our Need: The Fall of Lucifer

Before man ever sinned, rebellion began in the heavenly realm. In Ezekiel 28:13–19, we see a sobering description of Lucifer, the “anointed cherub that covereth”, created with beauty and purpose, walking in the presence of God, surrounded by glory. But pride rose in his heart: “Thine heart was lifted up because of thy beauty” (v. 17). His wisdom became corrupted, and he led a rebellion that drew a third of the angelic host with him (Revelation 12:4).

In Isaiah 14:12–15, we hear the words of his pride: “I will exalt my throne above the stars of God… I will be like the Most High.” Lucifer’s pride rose up in him which caused him to be expelled (from the midst of the stones of fire) expelled from heaven.

But God cast him down to earth, a place not yet inhabited by man. Lucifer became Satan, the adversary, and the earth became his realm of deception and destruction.

At the time of Satan’s expulsion he swiped a third of the angelic host with him, millions and millions of angels whom he persuaded to rebel against God.

Satan’s fall, along with the angels he led astray, set the stage for the conflict of the ages: light versus darkness, truth versus deception, God versus rebellion.

3. The Creation and Fall of Man

When God created the earth (Genesis 1:1; Isaiah 45:18), He intended it to be inhabited, beautiful, and ordered. He created man as the crown of His creation, in His image, made by divine counsel (Genesis 1:26). He gave man purpose, dominion, and relationship.

“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. The same was in the beginning with God. All things were made by him; and without him was not anything made that was made” (John 1:1-3).  He arranged all the furnishings of the Earth (the heavens, stars, land, seas, garden, etc.).  God created all things. Is. 45: 18, Gen 1: 1 – 31. After God created the heavens (Gen. 1: 1, Is. 45: 18).

“Then God said, let us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness…” (Genesis 1:26) 

“The Lord God formed man from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living being” (Genesis 2:7). 

We were formed with intricate care; spirit, soul, and body reflecting the triune nature of our Creator (1 Thessalonians 5:23). Just as the one and only God and Lord Jesus Christ is manifested in three persons (Father of Creation, the Son of Redemption, the Holy Spirit that is seen operating in the church), so man exists in three parts:

  • Spirit: The breath of life, the God-conscious part of man. (Proverbs 20:27; John 3:5–6)
  • Soul: The seat of emotions, will, and intellect. (Psalm 139:14; Matthew 22:37)
  • Body: The visible vessel, made from clay, yet miraculously complex. (Job 10:8–12)

Before sin entered the world, man walked in perfect fellowship with God, sin-free, ruling in love and dominion. This was the beginning of God’s plan for a sin-free humanity.

Sin is rebellion against the laws of God and a perversion of the truth. To walk in sin makes you an enemy of God. The same is true today

(1 John 1: 5-8).  It is important to know that God desires us to live holy lives, free from the effects of sin. To preserve his sin free creation, was God’s plan from the beginning.

Sin is more than just doing wrong things it begins as an inward attitude of rebellion against God and shows up in outward acts of disobedience. All of us have sinned in this way, and through our sin, we fall short of giving God the honor and glory He deserves.

The consequences of sin are serious and threefold:

  1. Spiritual death, we become separated from God.
  2. Physical death, our bodies are subject to aging and dying.
  3. Eternal separation, those who die in sin are forever cut off from God’s presence and face eternal judgment.

But the good news is Christ came to save us from sin. Though He was completely without sin, He took our sin upon Himself, died in our place, and rose again so that we could be forgiven and receive eternal life with God.

But Satan, now roaming the earth, targeted humanity. Through deception, he led Adam and Eve into rebellion, and sin entered the world. When Adam sinned, death entered as well, not just physical death, but a spiritual death.  Man, like Lucifer, chose pride over obedience which resulted in leaving man separated from God (Ephesians 2:1–2). Yet the solution was already in motion: Jesus, the second Adam, would bring redemption. God never gave up on his original plan as his intent is to bring the entire human race out of darkness because of Adam’s disobedience.

4. The Purpose of Christ’s Coming

Jesus Christ came to reverse the effects of both rebellions, that in heaven and on earth. He came to destroy the works of the devil (1 John 3:8), to redeem fallen man, and to restore us to our original purpose.

“For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.” (John 3:17)

Through Jesus, God began a restoration plan that would cleanse man’s heart (Galatians 5:16–21), rescue him from Satan’s dominion (Colossians 1:13), and restore him to fellowship through the new birth (John 3:3–5).

Christ came not only to forgive, but to transform. He came to make us whole in spirit, soul, and body (1 Thessalonians 5:23), to reclaim what was lost in Eden, and to give us victory over the enemy of our souls (Ephesians 6:12–13, 1 Peter 5:8–9).

5. Healing and Deliverance: God’s Provision

Sin affects more than behavior; it corrupts the soul and spirit. Many believers suffer because they lack understanding of Satan’s tactics and the power of healing and deliverance.

  • Deliverance is God’s process of freeing us from demonic oppression and soul bondage (Luke 4:18; Mark 16:17).   It is someone trained in the ministry, coming alongside you to help you to be freed from your bondage in your soul.
  • Healing restores us, physically and spiritually. It is the process of making or becoming sound and healthy again.  Jesus came not just to forgive, but to make us whole (Isaiah 53:5; 1 Peter 2:24). As doctors learn anatomy to heal the body, so we must study the soul and spirit to minister healing and deliverance effectively.

6.  The Soul: Center of Human Experience

God gives each person a living soul. The soul is not the body, nor the spirit; it is the mind, emotions, will and intellect. The soul is that part of your flesh life that cannot die, the physical part of our being (our body) only lives for a short span of time.  When the body dies, it goes back to the dust and man must choose whether he spends an eternity with God or the devil.

Our mind, emotion, will (and intellect) must be renewed and aligned with God’s truth (Romans 12:2).  If we are to have a doctrine of man, that is of an adequate foundation on which to build a theology of healing and deliverance, it is important we understand these three parts clearly.

  • Our Mind: Thinks, remembers, and reasons. It’s where beliefs and strongholds are formed. (2 Corinthians 10:4–5)
  • Our Emotions: Move us to action. Joy, sorrow, fear, compassion. But if unmanaged, they become gates for demonic influence.
  • Our Will: The power of choice. Even in a fallen state, God allows man to choose (Deuteronomy 30:19).  Ultimately, God gives man the choice to choose whether we spend an eternity with Him or the devil (Revelations 21:7, 8).

It’s important to understand that our soul refers to the inner life of man. The seat of many emotions and the center of human personality. 

  • It was first used in the Old Testament in Gen. 2-7, this soul is described as the seat of many emotions and desires… Desire for food (Deut. 12: 20 – 21); desire for love (Songs of Solomon 1:7); longing for God (Ps 63:1); rejoicing (Ps 86: 4); knowing (Ps. 139: 14); memory (Ps.143:3–6)
  • In the New Testament, Jesus’ spoke of his soul as being exceedingly sorrowful (Matt. 26:38); the writer of Heb 4:12 makes clear that the soul and the spirit are not the same, it is very important that we understand the difference between the two. 

When we receive the Lord Jesus as savior, the born-again experience, (John 3:3, 5), this free gift comes into your spirit man, which was quickened alive (Ephesians 2: 4 – 8, 9; Romans 6:1-7).   Your spirit man is now immersed into the spirit of Christ, making us new creatures. (2 Cor. 5:17).  However, your soul is still under the influence of the enemy. This is the area that must now serve the Lord and it is our responsibility to now take back our souls from out of the hand of the enemy and see that it comes into alignment with your spirit man which is now immersed in Christ; the light that now shines on your soul and either excuses or accuses it of going contrary to the will of God.

Your soul must line up with the Spirit to be walking in righteousness and holiness. Your body automatically carries out that which your soul determines, either acts of righteousness or unrighteousness.

Many believers remain in bondage because their souls are still influenced by past wounds, generational curses, or lies. But the spirit, made alive through Christ, must now lead the soul (1 Peter 2:2; 2 Corinthians 7:1).  The greater the dominance of the spirit over the mind, the more submitted the mind will be to the will of God. It is therefore necessary we cleanse our souls so that we can come into alignment to the spirit (Corinthians 7: 1, 2; 2 Timothy 2:21).

7. The Body: A Temple and a Target

Though made from dust, the body houses God’s Spirit in believers. (1 Corinthians 6:19).  It’s also the easiest to understand but also the most attacked through sickness and temptation.

Jesus took on flesh to redeem our bodies and promises glorified ones in the resurrection (Philippians 3:21).  Until then, we must steward our health and resist the effects of the fall.

8. The Spirit: The God-Connected Part of Us

Hebrews 4:12 makes it clear that the soul and the spirit are not the same. Understanding this distinction is vital for our spiritual growth and walk with God.

When a person receives Jesus as Lord and Savior, what we call the “born-again” experience (John 3:3, 5), their spirit is made alive. Ephesians 2:4–8 and Romans 6:1–7 explain that the Spirit of Christ comes into our spirit, bringing new life. In that moment, we become new creations in Christ (2 Corinthians 5:17).

However, while our spirit is now united with Christ, our soul which includes our mind, will, and emotions is still influenced by old patterns, worldly thinking, and the enemy’s lies. This is where the ongoing work of transformation must take place.

  • Our soul is where the works of the flesh, generational curses, and soul ties are often found.
  • The light of the Spirit within us is meant to shine on our soul, revealing what agrees with God’s will and what doesn’t.
  • Our spirit, now filled with God’s life, must begin to take dominion over the soul, guiding and correcting it.
  • Like a judge, our spirit either excuses or accuses the thoughts and actions of the soul (Romans 2:15).
  • That’s why it’s so important to feed our spirit with the pure Word of God (1 Peter 2:2), building up the “inner man” (Ephesians 3:16).

The more our spirit is strengthened by truth, the more it can lead the soul to submit to God’s will. Our goal is for the soul to come into alignment with the spirit, which is now one with the Holy Spirit.

As believers, we must actively cleanse our souls (2 Corinthians 7:1) and become vessels fit for the Master’s use (2 Timothy 2:21). This is how true transformation happens.

Key Scriptures on the Human Spirit:

  • Proverbs 20:27 – “The spirit of a man is the lamp of the Lord…”
  • Ephesians 3:16 – “Be strengthened with might through His Spirit in the inner man…”
  • Romans 7:22 – “I delight in the law of God according to the inward man…”
  • 2 Corinthians 4:16 – “…our inner man is being renewed day by day.”
  • 1 Peter 3:4 – “…the hidden person of the heart, with the incorruptible beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit…”

Remember the spirit is the part of us that connects with God and comes alive when we accept Jesus, but our soul, made up of our mind, will, and emotions must still be renewed to follow His will.

9. The Tripartite Nature of Man

As God operating in three offices,

  • The Father of Creation,
  • The Son of Redemption, and
  • The Holy Ghost of regeneration,

it is reasonable to expect, if we are in God’s image and likeness, we should have a similar likeness of His nature in us (Genesis 1:26).

We see Paul defining man as a tripartite being when he prayed that man may be made whole, in spirit, soul and body (1Thess. 5: 23).  God does not have a body, he is Spirit. They that worship Him must worship Him in Spirit and in Truth.  This verse also makes clear that man not only has three distinct dimensions to his personage, but that man could be sick in any one of these areas.

The same way Jesus existed in the spirit before he took on a fleshy form, is the same way each person took on a spiritual form along with the flesh. In our own regenerate state, our spirit, soul and body were held captive by Satan, the whole man was dead (Eph 2 : 1-2).  The remedy for a dead spirit is the born-again experience (John 3:13, Ro m. 10:8-1).

10.  A Closer Look at Man’s Mind

The mind is the part of the soul that receives, processes, and responds to information from our five senses (sight, hearing, smell, touch, and taste). It helps us think, reason, remember, believe (or not), and make decisions.

Key Functions of the Mind:

  • Thoughts & Memory – how we remember, process, and reflect.
  • Understanding & Intellect – our ability to learn and reason.
  • Beliefs & Doubts – what we accept as true or false.
  • Imagination & Creativity – how we form mental pictures or ideas.
  • Emotional Responses – like fear, confusion, depression, or joy.
  • Choices & Willpower – we can choose to follow God or reject Him.

The mind is also where strongholds and spiritual battles happen. It can be influenced by addiction, fear, pride, pain, fantasy, and more. This is why renewing the mind with God’s Word is vital (Romans 12:2).

Some Spiritual Issues That Affect the Mind:

  • Confusion
  • Fear
  • Forgetfulness
  • Mental illness
  • Double-mindedness
  • Addictions (drugs, alcohol, pornography, etc.)
  • Bondage to fear or sin

The brain, the physical organ works like a computer, storing and processing data automatically. But the mind, though linked to the brain, involves deeper functions like decision-making and spiritual sensitivity. When the mind and brain fall out of sync, mental illness can occur.

What Scripture Says:

  • The heart (mind, soul) is where evil originates (Matt. 15:16–21) and from this evil heart, proceeds evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornication, thefts, false witnesses, blasphemy, all the works of the flesh (the adamic nature).
  • The soul who sins shall die (Ezek. 18:4).
  • We are called to love God with all our mind (Matt. 22:37).
  • Adam, before sin, had a pure mind and daily communion with God (Gen. 1:26).
  • After the Fall, sin distorted the human mind and broke our fellowship with God (Gen. 3:17).

Sadly, many believers today are emotionally wounded and mentally burdened, hiding pain under the surface. Healing and renewing the mind are essential steps in restoring our walk with God.

Now a closer look into the emotional makeup of man: His Emotions

Emotions are powerful forces that move us to action such as joy, sorrow, fear, or compassion. While emotions are part of how God created us, if left unmanaged, they can become open doors for demonic influence.

Some Functions and Expressions of Emotion:

  • Deep hurts, inner wounds
  • Rejection, self-rejection, self-hate, fear of rejection
  • Emotional instability, bitterness, resentment
  • Anxiety, stress, anger, sadness, depression
  • Fear of failure or success, insecurity, unworthiness
  • Desire for love, acceptance, or attention

The Latin root of the word emotion means “to move.” Emotions are reactions that stir the mind or soul in response to events or sensations. The way we emotionally respond to something is based on how our mind understands and interprets it.

  • When burned by something hot, the pain moves you to pull away.
  • If you hear a loud noise, you may feel fear and instinctively run.
  • Seeing someone in need may stir compassion and move you to help.

Whatever action you take as a result of what you feel, good or bad, is an emotional response. Unresolved emotions, especially from past wounds, can become toxic and spiritually dangerous.  If you say you’ve forgiven someone, but still revisit the pain years later, your heart may still be holding on to bitterness. This can open the door to emotional and even physical issues like stress and illness.

That’s why it’s so important to guard your emotions, stay away from negative environments and toxic relationships. Emotional scars, if not healed, can last a lifetime.

Which is why healing and deliverance is so crucial as a believer to gaining your freedom and total alignment with God’s will.

Not All Feelings Are Emotions

Some feelings like hunger, drowsiness, or physical pain are bodily alerts that do not come from your soul. Emotions, however, arise from the mind and heart, often influenced by thoughts, beliefs, and experiences.

11. Man’s Will: The Power to Choose

God gave every human being a will, the ability to make choices on any matter that arises. Even after the fall, we are still responsible for choosing life or death, obedience or rebellion, to serve God or not to serve God.

“I have set before you life and death, blessing and cursing. Therefore, choose life…” (Deut. 30:19)

Before Adam sinned, he had the mind of God and God communed with him daily. Adam walked in Dominion Authority because his heart was pure, his mind was pure, and his will was pure (Gen. 1:26). His soul was in full submission to God’s will; hence he hadn’t broken fellowship with God as he walked in the spirit (Galatians 5:24-25).  However, when sin entered Adam, he lost his relationship with God, and his Dominion Authority. The curse that was upon him was now passed to the entire human race (Gen. 3:17 – 19).

Even after salvation, many believers remain in spiritual bondage because their soul is still influenced by old wounds, generational patterns, or lies they’ve believed. But now, your spirit made alive in Christ must take the lead and bring your soul into alignment with God’s truth
(1 Peter 2:2, 2 Corinthians 7:1).

Some common functions of the will include pride, stubbornness, disobedience, rebellion, self-will and persistent resistance to God’s will.  Whenever these traits are contrary to God’s purposes, they become spiritual yokes, bondages that must be broken so you can walk in true freedom.

12.  God’s Mercy Seat and His Presence

From the cherubim in Eden (Genesis 3:24) to the golden cherubim on the Mercy Seat (Exodus 25:18–22), and the great winged figures in Solomon’s Temple (1 Kings 6:23–28), we see God’s desire to dwell among His people. The Mercy Seat was the place of atonement, symbolic of the future sacrifice of Christ.

Now, through Jesus, we approach the true Mercy Seat, God’s throne of grace (Hebrews 4:16). The One who once guarded Eden now invites us back into His presence.

Reflection: Why Did Jesus Come?

  • To restore what Satan tried to destroy
  • To give eternal meaning to our brief, fragile lives
  • To conquer pride, sin, and death with humility, holiness, and resurrection power
  • To make us holy again, image bearers, redeemed and restored

Prayer:  Lord, thank you for sending Jesus to save us from the vanity and brevity of this life. Help me to see beyond this temporary world and to live with eternity in view. Thank you for conquering pride and rebellion with Your mercy and grace. I receive Your salvation, and I ask You to restore in me what sin and darkness have tried to ruin. Teach me to recognize and resist the enemy’s lies, and to walk in the dominion and intimacy. Amen.

Interested in Learning More? 

If you are interested in learning more and being freed from the numerous bondages such as sicknesses, depression, worry, fears, addictions, perversions, financial stress, guilt, mental illness, family conflicts, and many other ungodly bondages, then click on the below link to our healing and deliverance website. Once there, you will find lessons, prayers and other resources to help you.  It’s important you take the time and go through the lessons in order.

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Are you ready to take the first step in seeking deliverance today? Start with Lesson 1.