Salvation by Grace Through Faith
Salvation means to be saved. Saved from and saved to.
Saved from a life of separation from God. Salvation to a life with God.
I think most traditional Christians will agree on what salvation is, but I think the way to get it seems to be harder to agree on. I think man (mankind) in his frailty is fraught with fear and lacking in confidence. Over time I am feeling more strongly that it is man that wants the "Alter call" and the "Sinners Prayer" so that he can check it off on his checklist and feel comfortable. It makes salvation a more tangible milestone. But is that how God wants us to "get saved"?
From reading the bible it's my understanding that God seems to get behind our actions.
I think perhaps salvation is about how we live and not what we say. The product that Faith builds is the kingdom in us. The kingdom in us brings God out of us. Hebrews 11:1 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.
Also its my understanding that grace is an undeserved gift. I would consider a relationship with God an undeserved gift.
It's interesting to think that God is love and if we are loving and do good deeds we have the Christ in us and have salvation. And to also think that to be Christ-like is to be a follower of Christ and thus to be a Christian. I'm willing to entertain the idea, but I feel it goes deeper then that. I think it's about family. God is all about family. Just because I act like one of the Sopranos doesn't mean I am part of his mafia family. Family is about relationships and commitment. Like the work "believe" in John 3:16 is to be interpreted... trusts in, clings to, relies on. I think Faith is building a relationship with God through communication and obedience. Perhaps Salvation just happens. Or perhaps salvation is a process. Perhaps it's our ruin to focus on getting salvation instead of living salvation.
Saved from a life of separation from God. Salvation to a life with God.
I think most traditional Christians will agree on what salvation is, but I think the way to get it seems to be harder to agree on. I think man (mankind) in his frailty is fraught with fear and lacking in confidence. Over time I am feeling more strongly that it is man that wants the "Alter call" and the "Sinners Prayer" so that he can check it off on his checklist and feel comfortable. It makes salvation a more tangible milestone. But is that how God wants us to "get saved"?
From reading the bible it's my understanding that God seems to get behind our actions.
I think perhaps salvation is about how we live and not what we say. The product that Faith builds is the kingdom in us. The kingdom in us brings God out of us. Hebrews 11:1 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.
Also its my understanding that grace is an undeserved gift. I would consider a relationship with God an undeserved gift.
It's interesting to think that God is love and if we are loving and do good deeds we have the Christ in us and have salvation. And to also think that to be Christ-like is to be a follower of Christ and thus to be a Christian. I'm willing to entertain the idea, but I feel it goes deeper then that. I think it's about family. God is all about family. Just because I act like one of the Sopranos doesn't mean I am part of his mafia family. Family is about relationships and commitment. Like the work "believe" in John 3:16 is to be interpreted... trusts in, clings to, relies on. I think Faith is building a relationship with God through communication and obedience. Perhaps Salvation just happens. Or perhaps salvation is a process. Perhaps it's our ruin to focus on getting salvation instead of living salvation.
posted by Montana Quiring at 1:48 AM
1 Comments:
I think you hit it bang on with these words:
"perhaps salvation is a process. Perhaps it's our ruin to focus on getting salvation instead of living salvation."
I think that absolutely, salvation is a process and I think that you are also absolutely right about alter calls and sinner's prayers -- that too often they become methods of securing salvation instead of embracing salvation as a way of living in the world the way God intended-- not a securing against a horrible afterlife, but an engagement with the good life NOW! God doesn't "save" us so that we can be safe and secure, but so that we can live lives of truth -- which (unfortunate for those who wish to secure salvation and safety) is often risk filled and dangerous (but much more fun and life giving!)
Thanks for the post Montana!
Love ya.
Z
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