Day 18: Salvation

Saved from what? We face all kinds of jeopardies, threats, and perils… some from “out there” and some come from within. Some we know about and others we are oblivious to. The level of risk makes some threats more important than others. Timing makes some more urgent than others. Some of these “adversaries” we can save ourselves from. Others we cannot. What is it exactly that Christ “saves” us from?

The concept of “Salvation” is a broad term around which many related theological concepts are discussed. Recognizing that the concepts are related but failing to distinguish them is a significant oversight made by both new and experienced students of the Bible. Countless divisions in the Church have arisen over the misunderstanding of what it is that we need saving from and what a particular passage is referring to. Related theological ideas include: redemption, expiation, substitution, justification, imputation, regeneration, and propitiation. All of these fit under the umbrella of reconciliation...which Christ finished on the cross. But, “reconciliation” is not synonymous with “saved” (Rom 5:10). There is one serious uncertainty that God did not conclude at the cross…specifically, will we impact eternity or live a useless life? If something doesn't fulfill the purpose for which it was created, then what use is it? We'll unpack this later when we talk about God's plan and purpose for our lives. For now, let's stick to all that stuff under “reconciliation.”

Eventually, it's important to understand all the ways sinful man needs reconciliation with our maker. After all, that ministry has been given to us:

2 Cor 5:18: And all these things are from God who reconciled us to himself through Christ and who has given us the ministry of reconciliation. 19 In other words, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting people’s trespasses against them, and he has given us the message of reconciliation. (NET)

Sin erected barriers which separate man from God. Being reconciled means removing those barriers and “bringing us back together.” Here are some essentials you must realize if you aim to interpret the many passages dealing with “our salvation.”

• The separation between sinful man and God is complex and is best thought of as multiple barriers that had to be addressed.

• Tearing down one/some of the barriers leaves us separated from God unless all barriers are overcome.

• Christ finished the work of overcoming all the barriers. In Christ (and only in Christ), are we freely reconciled to the Father.

• Anyone who is in Christ (trusts that Christ's sacrifice is enough), is reconciled to God and has eternal life already. (John 3:16-18, John 5:24, Acts 16:31, Rom 10:9-10, 2 Cor 5:18)

Read these passages and match them with what might be a keyword or phrase:

Heb 10:14, Eph 2:8-9, Rom 3:23-24, John 5:24

• We are perfected and holy

• Justified freely in Christ

• Believers have crossed into life

• No one earns salvation by works

How would you paraphrase Rom 6:23 in light of this barrier discussion?

Acts 4:11: This Jesus is the stone that was rejected by you [Jews], the builders, that has become the cornerstone. 12 And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among people by which we must be saved. (NET)

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