Maybe I am the only one whose mind does this, but there are times I can hear something in a sermon or teaching moment and it is something I have already learned. My mind shuts down and thinks it doesn’t need to listen again. But we never stop learning. No matter how many times a subject is taught, we can still glean knowledge from other teachers and have new insight into lessons.
When we go back to the meaning of salvation, it can refresh our minds to what God really did for us. For without salvation, where would we all be? Lost and without hope. So, here are a few aspects of salvation to never stop thinking about.
Why did Jesus have to die on the cross? God gave Adam and Eve a choice. He didn’t create a breed of robots. He wanted someone who would fellowship with Him because they wanted to. He knew what they were going to do, even though He gave them choice. Therefore, He planned in advance the remedy for their sin.
For the wages of sin is death…(Romans 6:23 NASB).
Sin requires a payment. Mankind cannot pay the debt. Something had to die. Because of His great love, He also provided the payment. An animal was provided to cover the sin for a time. When Jesus came, He was the ultimate payment because His blood was pure and He was perfect. The payment was made.
…but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord (Romans 6:23 NASB).
How does that help us today? When we put our faith in what He did, our sin is washed away. No matter how much time passes from when Jesus died and where we are today, His payment never ends.
Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, for you are receiving the end result of your faith, the salvation of your souls (1 Peter 1:8-9 NIV).
What are we saved from? We are saved from eternal separation from God. We are saved from eternal torment in hell. We are saved from the darkness of this world when we use the power He gave to us.
For after all it is only just for God to repay with affliction those who afflict you, and to give relief to you who are afflicted and to us as well when the Lord Jesus will be revealed from heaven with His mighty angels in flaming fire, dealing out retribution to those who do not know God and to those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus. These will pay the penalty of eternal destruction, away from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of His power (2 Thessalonians 1:6-8 NASB).
What are we saved to? We are saved to have an eternal home in heaven with God. We are saved to victory over sin on this earth.
For our citizenship is in heaven, from which also we eagerly wait for a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ (Philippians 3:20 NASB).
For whatever is born of God overcomes the world; and this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith (1 John 5:4 NASB).
What are we saved for? We are saved to have fellowship with God. We are saved to follow His call and expand His kingdom on this earth. We are saved to overcome the power of temptation and resist the devil.
What we have seen and heard we proclaim to you also, so that you too may have fellowship with us; and indeed our fellowship is with the Father, and with His Son Jesus Christ (1 John 1:3 NASB).
There are other reasons and scriptures we can list for each of these questions. Please feel free to add your thoughts to what salvation means to you.
Join the conversation.
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Enjoyed this post so much Ms. Barbara. Yes, it seems we must remind ourselves of the price paid for our salvation so that we understand how precious the gift is. It is not to be taken for granted. Also agree with you on the importance of studying and reading the same passages again and again. For me, it seems each time I read verses I've read before, the Holy Spirit unveils a new, deeper understanding.
ReplyDeleteJ.D., I feel the same way. I am amazed at how I can read a scripture and then have something totally new jump out at me. I'm so glad that's the way God's Word works. Thanks for sharing. Blessings!
DeleteSuch great reminders, Barbara, and yes, we should never ever tire of hearing this message over and over again. I know exactly what you mean - when a pastor shares a biblical truth that I think I've heard many times before, I can even catch myself thinking, "I'm glad so-and-so is here today -he/she really needs to hear the sermon." Then I totally giggle at the thought, because, I remind myself that if I dare think that - then obviously, I am THE ONE that needs to hear that message at that moment.
ReplyDeleteJulie, I do that also. I have to capture those thoughts and remind myself I am the one who needs to listen! Thanks for sharing. Blessings!
DeleteBarbara, I believe our salvation is such a blessing and so important that we never tire of hearing what our Lord did for us and why. You've summed it up so well. Thanks for this inspiring post.
ReplyDeleteKatherine, thanks for stopping by and sharing. Blessings!
DeleteYes, Barbara! We never stop learning. The more I learn about the Lord, the more I love Him, but the more I realize how much I don't know. Even still, I find myself taking the incredible gift of salvation for granted. Sometimes it's when I'm griping and complaining. Other times it's when I forget that I "get" to serve at church and help others. Posts like yours serve as a much-needed reminder.
ReplyDeleteThank you.
The more I learn, the more I find out I don't know. I can identify with what you are saying. Thanks for sharing. Blessings!
DeleteThanks for bringing us back to the basics. I love the gospel story and often feel we neglect it when we need it each and every day. Such a marvelous truth!
ReplyDeleteYes, Sylvia, we do need to remember what a great gift we have been given. Thanks for stopping by. Blessings!
DeleteIt's so important that we remember the basics of our faith--our sin, God's Holiness, and Christ's sacrifice to bring us to Him. We must return again and again to the simple truth of the Gospel because we have a tendency to live our lives outside the weight of that truth. Thanks so much fr this reminder.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing that message, Joshua. We do have a tendency to leave the truth of the gospel when our eyes don't stay on Christ. Blessings!
DeleteThank you for posting Barbara. Oh how we need to rightly divide God's Word. Knowing what salvation is all about is essential. How can we ignore such a principle, miraculous event? There was a price paid for our salvation and it was a gift from God to us. We must highly value it. And I love how God's Word continually amazes me as new things jump out as I read His Word. Praise His Name and thank God for His precious Holy Spirit. Bless you B. -- NJ
ReplyDeleteHis Word does continually amaze me, too. I'm so thankful His mercies are new every morning. Thanks for sharing. Blessings!
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