What really happened when we accepted the finished work of Jesus? To many people it was the realization that their sins were forgiven and that one day they would spend eternity with their Lord. In the meantime, the newly redeemed are urged to adopt a three-pillar approach to their new way of living. All new converts are urged to spend time in prayer and Bible reading, as well as becoming a fixture in a local church.
Sadly, there are those who have little knowledge of what the Salvation experience is all about. No wonder an epidemic of “lukewarmness” has struck so many Believers. Experiencing Salvation is more than a cleaned-up life. It is more than words. It is more than religious actions.
Salvation begins with a funeral service. Here the individual eulogizes his own past failures and sins. It is not just a token acknowledgment of his outward sins, but also his “hidden sins.” The Salvation process began as a result of God’s mercy. He “…caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus…” (I Peter 1:3) The Cross dealt with our sins, while the Resurrection opened the door to eternal life. Without the Resurrection, there would be no eternal life. The Cross dealt with the here and now, while the Resurrection dealt with the then and there.
Jesus’ birth was the evidence of God’s love for man. (John 3:16) His earthly ministry depicted God’s compassion. The Cross was God’s method for forgiveness of man’s sins. The Resurrection opened the door to Eternal Life. Jesus’ Ascension guaranteed His involvement in our lives as well as giving us access to God Himself.
The Salvation experience is a total rebirth experience. The Apostle Peter realized that a “newborn” must receive the “pure milk of the Word,” so that he may grow in the knowledge of his Salvation experience. (I Peter 2:2) The Scriptures are full of exhortations to pursue a life of spiritual growth. Once the basics of the Salvation experience are realized, the “newbie” is exhorted to seek “strong meat.” (Hebrews 5:12) There is a Biblical “anemia” that is affecting Christians today. Content to stay in the first grade of their spiritual experience they lack the stamina to walk a consistent lifestyle. If a child fails to progress through the educational system, academia will attempt to help the student gain stability. There are Christians who are still in first grade. Where is the concern from the spiritual leadership? We are more concerned with someone’s lack of “tithing” than we are with their lack of spiritual growth.
The local church is not a nursing home. It is a gathering of saints determined to usher in Jesus’ return. It is also a place of fellowship which starts with a relationship with Jesus. Vertical interaction paves the way to horizontal fellowship. It is a gathering of people dedicated to praising and serving the Lord.
I call upon Believers to search the Scriptures for a true understanding of what Salvation is all about. It is time to wade out into the depths of the Word and discover the things that God wants us to know.
One of the facets of Salvation is to live a life of Holiness. (I Peter 1:15,16) That is a subject for another time!
