This title in the New Testament is used only two times.  Both times, it is penned by John the Beloved – I John 4:14 and John 4:42.

This past Sunday, we focused on the Samaritan’s confession in John 4:42, “Now we believe, not because of thy saying:  for we have heard him ourselves, and know that this is indeed the Christ, the Saviour of the world.”

Yesterday for my own spiritual strengthening, I read a corresponding sermon, “Christ the Savior of the World” (I John 4:14) by Thomas Boston, Scottish pastor and author, preached at Ettrick, Scotland on June 7, 1724.  I am enriched.

Here is a portion for your meditation:

So the matter lies here:  in this official sense, Christ is Savior of the whole world.

This appears even more clearly when we consider Scripture testimony, which is plain.  Our text expressly calls Him Savior of the world.  The believing Samaritans likewise profess their faith in Him:  “Now we believe, not because of thy saying: for we have heard him ourselves, and know that this is indeed the Christ, the Saviour of the world” (Jn. 4:42).  You have the appointment of Heaven very plainly in John 3:16:  “God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life”—even as the brazen serpent lifted up on the pole was ordained by God for healing to the snake-bitten persons of the whole camp by God for healing to the snake-bitten persons of the whole camp of Israel.  Hence, Christ’s salvation is called “the common salvation” in Jude 3; any of mankind’s sinners may lay hold on this salvation.  Even so the Savior’s birth is said to be “good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people” (Lk. 2:10)—which it could not have been, if He had not been a Savior to all people.  And for this reason He Himself testifies that He came to save the world:  “God sent his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved” (Jn. 3:17).

In John 12:47 He states, “I came not to judge the world, but to save the world.”  This is His office.  He is held up as Savior to all sinners generally; not to this or that sort of sinner, but to all sinners of mankind indefinitely, without exception. “This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners” (I Tim. 1:15).  He came “to seek and to save that which was lost” (Lk. 19:10).  To the same purpose he declares Himself “the light of the world” namely, by office (Jn. 8:12).  And whosoever will follow Him “shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life” (Jn. 8:12).  That is why the gospel message he has committed to us is a message of reconciliation.  We are to beseech men in Christ’s stead to be reconciled to God (2 Cor. 5:19-20).

If it were not so that Christ is Savior of the world, He could not warrantably be offered with His salvation to the world indefinitely, but to the elect only.  If He were not commissioned to the office of Savior of all men, it would be no more appropriate to call all men to trust Him as Savior any more than He could be offered lawfully to fallen angels (who are not within His commission as Savior).  The gospel offer could never lawfully carry the matter beyond the bounds of Christ’s commission from His Father.

But we know from Scripture that Christ and His salvation may be warrantably offered to the whole world of sinners, with assurance that whoever of them will turn in faith to Him as Savior, he shall be saved (Mark 16:15-16).  Moreover, if it were not so, the unbelief of hearers of the gospel, their not coming to Christ for salvation, could not be their sin.  It can never be one’s sin not do a thing he has no legitimate warrant for.  No one could be held guilty for not turning to Christ for salvation, unless there is a sense in which God has appointed Him to be Savior of that guilty one.  It is not sin for fallen angels not to believe in Christ for salvation, because they are not within the Savior’s commission.  They are not commanded to turn to Him as Savior, and even if they did so, they would find Him their judge only, and no Savior to them.

But Scripture tells us that not believing in Christ the Savior is the very sin that ruins the hearers of the gospel who ultimately perish:  “And this is the condemnation, that light is come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil” (Jn. 3:19). 

Finally, if it were not so that Christ is Savior of the world, the elect themselves could never believe in Christ until their election were revealed to them.  That is contrary to the stated method of grace, for no one can believe on Christ for salvation, until that person sees Him to be a Savior for them.

In the conclusion of his sermon, Boston gives “marks of faith that follow” for true Christians who have been saved in Christ by grace alone.

First, if Christ has really begun to save you, you will have the saved man’s thoughts of sin, and of the wrath of God. 

Second, if Christ is your Savior actually, you will have a transcendent esteem of and love to your Savior.  “Unto you therefore which believe he is precious” (I Pet. 2:7).  His conscience-purifying blood, His soul-sanctifying Spirit will be more valuable to you than a thousand worlds.  You will desire them above all things, pant and long after them, and seek more and more of them.  In comparison of them, all the world will be but trifles in your eyes, which you would be content to part with in order to gain the riches of Christ:  “[The merchant man] when he had found one pearl of great price, went and sold all that he had, and bought it” (Matt. 13:46).  Jesus Himself said, “If any man come to me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple” (Luke 14:26).  But those who know Him know He is worth any price . . .

Third, if you have trusted Christ as your actual Savior, you will be groaning under the remains of the disease of sin you are saved from.  Your conscience will bear witness that you would eagerly be wholly rid of it.  “O wretched man that I am!  who shall deliver me from the body of this death?”  (Rom. 7:24).  Your souls will be longing for the complete salvation, so that the enemies you see today you may see no more for ever.  You will long for that complete victory over all your corruption.  “We ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body” (Rom. 8:23).