Salvation's purpose is not just to escape hell; it is to bring glory to God, begin a new life of godly living, and continue the work of the gospel.
Scripture and Les both show that salvation is God's work of redemption and forgiveness, given by His purpose and grace, not because of what we deserve. The saved person is made new in Christ to bring glory to God, and God leaves believers here to further the gospel through godly living. This gives salvation a present purpose, not just a future escape from hell.
Ephesians 1:7 — It grounds redemption and forgiveness in Christ's blood rather than human achievement.
Titus 2:11-13 — It directly connects salvation to godly living now and to looking for Christ's appearing.
2 Timothy 1:9 — It shows God's saving call is according to His purpose and grace, not our works.
Ephesians 1:7 says, "In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;" 2 Timothy 1:9 says, "Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began," Titus 2:11-13 says, "For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;"
Les Feldick tells his classes that salvation is "more than a fire escape." It is the day-by-day assurance that you are His and He is yours, based on what the Book says rather than on feelings. Les teaches that believers have been made "a new creature and a new creation in Christ" for the purpose of bringing glory to Him. They are not to live to self. He also says the whole idea of salvation is that God leaves us here to further the work of the gospel, and as we do it, in whatever capacity God gives us, it is to be for His glory. Les ties salvation to God's eternal purpose. God called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose. The Triune God planned salvation before creation. While we live in the present world, saving grace teaches us to deny ungodliness and live soberly, righteously, and godly, while looking for Christ's glorious appearing. At the moment of belief, God forgives, justifies, sanctifies, glorifies, seals, and fills the believer—all as part of His all-inclusive saving work.
The immediate reason God saves us is to bring glory to Himself through a people redeemed by Christ's blood (Ephesians 1:7). Les puts it this way: "God's divine fingers have now come into our life, and He has put us together as a new creature and a new creation in Christ for what purpose? To bring glory to Him." God also called us according to His own purpose, not our works (2 Timothy 1:9).
No. Les acknowledges that getting saved so you won't go to hell is "all well and good" and "certainly part of it." But he tells his classes, "there's a lot more to it than that." Salvation gives day-by-day assurance that you are His and He is yours, and you know it because the Book says so.
Titus 2:11-13 shows that the grace of God that brings salvation teaches us to deny ungodliness and worldly lusts, live soberly, righteously, and godly in this present world, and look for the blessed hope of Christ's appearing. Les says we are not to live to self, but to bring glory to His name. The world has only 70 years on average; believers have ages upon ages ahead.
Les describes salvation as "that all-inclusive work of God on our behalf" in which God forgives, justifies, sanctifies, glorifies, baptizes into the body, seals, and fills with the Holy Spirit—all instantly at the moment of belief. You won't necessarily feel any of those things, but you can know them because the Book says so.
Les connects salvation with purpose: "God leaves us here to further the work of the gospel." Whether present or absent, we labor to be accepted of Him (2 Corinthians 5:9), and this is for reward, not for salvation. The whole idea of salvation is that, in whatever capacity God gives us, we are to do it for His glory.
Redemption Through Christ's Blood
Paul's words to the Ephesians show that redemption and forgiveness come through Christ's blood—the foundation of God's saving purpose.
Created to Bring Glory to God
Believers are made new creatures in Christ for the purpose of bringing glory to Him, not for living to self.
More Than a Fire Escape
Les rejects the fire-escape-only view of salvation, explaining that salvation gives the believer a daily assurance of being God's child.
Here to Further the Gospel
The whole idea of salvation, Les says, is that God leaves believers on earth to further the work of the gospel for His glory.
Called According to God's Purpose
God called us with a holy calling according to His own purpose and grace, not according to our works; the Trinity planned salvation before creation.
Grace Teaches Godly Living
Saving grace teaches believers to deny ungodliness, live soberly and righteously in this world, and look for the blessed hope of Christ's appearing.
Saved From Eternal Doom
Salvation means being saved from an eternal doom, but it also requires knowing what you believe and not believing in vain.
All-Inclusive Work of God
At the moment of belief, God forgives, justifies, sanctifies, glorifies, seals, and fills the believer—all accomplished by an act of God.
Ephesians 1:7: In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;
This verse grounds redemption and forgiveness in Christ's blood, showing salvation is God's provision, not human effort.
Titus 2:11-13: For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world; Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;
This passage connects salvation to present godly living and to the eager expectation of Christ's appearing.
2 Timothy 1:9: Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began,
This verse shows that God's saving call is based on His eternal purpose and grace, not on our works.
1 Corinthians 1:24: But unto them which are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God, and the wisdom of God.
Les uses this verse to show that Christ is the power of God in salvation, just as God's power opened the Red Sea.
2 Corinthians 5:9: Wherefore we labour, that, whether present or absent, we may be accepted of him.
Les applies this verse to reward — we live and labor to be accepted of Him, which is beyond salvation.
Yes, Les Feldick says that is "certainly part of it." But he insists there is a lot more: salvation gives the believer day-by-day assurance, and it places us here for God's glory to further the work of the gospel.
You won't necessarily feel justified, glorified, sealed, or filled, according to Les. These things happen the moment you believe, and you know they are true because the Book says so.
According to 2 Timothy 1:9, God saved and called us with a holy calling, not because of our works, but according to His own purpose and grace. Les says this purpose was planned by the Trinity before anything was created.
Watch the Teaching: The 3 Requirements for Redemption: Person, Blood, and Power