We are being saved from ourselves! Since sin is missing the mark and by our choices causing us to be separated from God, we by choice are removed from God's mercy and love. By God sending Jesus (a complete reflection of his love and mercy)we see who God is and we choose to believe and therefore are saved from ourselves. This is a choice made not by just saying some words, but by making God the center and leader of our lives.
I agree with Cindy but would add that salvation includes within it the thought of re-birth. That is, the spirit which was dead in sin is now alive and it is that newly-alive spirit that enables us to commune with God. His Spirit and ours are commingled and become one. This is a mystery, but a mystery that is mirrored, if you will, in the marriage of a man and woman. When they join together, their souls are made one. While we can't really explain that either, we who are married know it to be true. So it is with the spirits of those who are united with God through Christ Jesus. We have fellowship with God where none previously existed and are made privy to the heart of God and His will for us. So, we are saved from separation from God and saved into relationship with Him.
We as humans Sin, to which we have to eventually account for it come judgment day, in the ultimately punishment with Satan in the depths of Hell, and as we know it, not a very good place to spend eternity . Being saved; accepting God's grace, Jesus Christ, allows us to be forgiven of those Sins, and receive the ultimate Salvation, and spend the rest of our eternity in his kingdom.
We have certain protocols in which we have to follow to first receive this blessing of "Saved/Salvation":Accepting Him: Acceptance: Accepting our Lord Jesus Christ as our savior; acknowledging He did die for us by absorbing the sins of the world. Repentance in our wrong doing (Sins): Asking for His forgiveness when truly meaning this, feels as though your heart and soul is about ready to burst right out of your chest. Dedicating our lives to God/Jesus; Making a vow to go and teach and/or spread His word, blessings, in which He has given you and any to other willing so they may also receive these same blessings; Becoming His stewards. Baptized in His name: All of this will come to pass. When in being given this gift of Salvation comes Forgiveness from Him; He will forgive us No Mater What! Although this can be a discussion in itself for there is a lot more to this in what I'm saying, but you get gist of it without dragging this out to long..
In the end we get a great big Gift; as in Salvation (Saved) we are removed from the everlasting tortures; regardless the sufering we go through here now, for this is nothing no mater how bad we seem to have it ,even as Job, yet it is This, the Final and Everlasting Gift of His Kigdome Come of true blis, only through Him, Jesus Christ.. Amen..
I think this is a really interesting question. I agree with Cindy, Sergio, and Tom about the salvation Christ brings us from the results of sin (i.e. our rightful separation from God.) And I appreciate what Tom said about re-birth. I like the idea that Christ saves us from our sins not in our sins. In other words, he really changes us because we don't just need to worry about some hell at the end of life but can feel hell on earth when we are in our sins and away from God.
My favorite scripture on salvation in the Bible is the appearance of Christ to John in the Book of Revelation. "Fear not; I am the first and the last: I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death." I like the image of Christ with keys offering me entrance to salvation through doors that I have locked - most importantly the keys of hell to bring me back into the presence of God and also the keys of death - because he has overcome death through his resurrection.
On a related note, I have to present on a book about Pentecostals tomorrow and as I was reading this history I noticed a great emphasis on Christ's power to heal because of his sufferings on the cross. I'm not a Pentecostal, but the idea that Christ can bring health to the sick or emotionally ill or just to comfort and heal us from our desires to sin is wrapped up into that idea of salvation too, I think.
Alma 7:11-13 (Book of Mormon) gets at this maybe. It states that Christ "shall go forth, suffering pains and afflictions and temptations of every kind; and this that the word might be fulfilled which saith he will take upon him the pains and the sicknesses of his people. 12 And he will take upon him death, that he may loose the bands of death which bind his people; and he will take upon him their infirmities, that his bowels may be filled with mercy, according to the flesh, that he may know according to the flesh how to succor his people according to their infirmities. 13 Now the Spirit knoweth all things; nevertheless the Son of God suffereth according to the flesh that he might take upon him the sins of his people, that he might blot out their transgressions according to the power of his deliverance; and now behold, this is the testimony which is in me."
Thanks Chris, its great to have a new voice with a fresh perspective. I feel as you do, that the question of salvation is a complex subject, one that is often treated simplistically. I will in the very near future offer my own viwpoint in greater detail.
Christopher is a bonafide Religious Scholar and is currently working towards his Doctorate....he also happens to be my Son In Law, a fact of wich I am very proud! That he makes my daughter Christine happy is an even greater blessing.
Christopher's perspective as a Morman should add a little spice and maybe even some controversy to the mix. I believe however, if you read carefully what he wrote, you will find a greater commanality than some might think.
Don't be afraid to ask questions or challenge the varying theolological attitudes. Christopher is more than capable of defending his position as is everyone else.
Again let me say how much I appreciate your comments and I hope that you continue to contribute in the future.
P.S. Tell Christine to jump in as well, that way I can be doubly proud!
We are being saved from ourselves! Since sin is missing the mark and by our choices causing us to be separated from God, we by choice are removed from God's mercy and love. By God sending Jesus (a complete reflection of his love and mercy)we see who God is and we choose to believe and therefore are saved from ourselves. This is a choice made not by just saying some words, but by making God the center and leader of our lives.
ReplyDeleteI agree with Cindy but would add that salvation includes within it the thought of re-birth. That is, the spirit which was dead in sin is now alive and it is that newly-alive spirit that enables us to commune with God. His Spirit and ours are commingled and become one. This is a mystery, but a mystery that is mirrored, if you will, in the marriage of a man and woman. When they join together, their souls are made one. While we can't really explain that either, we who are married know it to be true. So it is with the spirits of those who are united with God through Christ Jesus. We have fellowship with God where none previously existed and are made privy to the heart of God and His will for us. So, we are saved from separation from God and saved into relationship with Him.
ReplyDeleteWe as humans Sin, to which we have to eventually account for it come judgment day, in the ultimately punishment with Satan in the depths of Hell, and as we know it, not a very good place to spend eternity
ReplyDelete.
Being saved; accepting God's grace, Jesus Christ, allows us to be forgiven of those Sins, and receive the ultimate Salvation, and spend the rest of our eternity in his kingdom.
We have certain protocols in which we have to follow to first receive this blessing of "Saved/Salvation":Accepting Him:
Acceptance: Accepting our Lord Jesus Christ as our savior; acknowledging He did die for us by absorbing the sins of the world.
Repentance in our wrong doing (Sins): Asking for His forgiveness when truly meaning this, feels as though your heart and soul is about ready to burst right out of your chest.
Dedicating our lives to God/Jesus; Making a vow to go and teach and/or spread His word, blessings, in which He has given you and any to other willing so they may also receive these same blessings; Becoming His stewards.
Baptized in His name: All of this will come to pass.
When in being given this gift of Salvation comes Forgiveness from Him; He will forgive us No Mater What! Although this can be a discussion in itself for there is a lot more to this in what I'm saying, but you get gist of it without dragging this out to long..
In the end we get a great big Gift; as in Salvation (Saved) we are removed from the everlasting tortures; regardless the sufering we go through here now, for this is nothing no mater how bad we seem to have it ,even as Job, yet it is This, the Final and Everlasting Gift of His Kigdome Come of true blis, only through Him, Jesus Christ.. Amen..
I think this is a really interesting question. I agree with Cindy, Sergio, and Tom about the salvation Christ brings us from the results of sin (i.e. our rightful separation from God.) And I appreciate what Tom said about re-birth. I like the idea that Christ saves us from our sins not in our sins. In other words, he really changes us because we don't just need to worry about some hell at the end of life but can feel hell on earth when we are in our sins and away from God.
ReplyDeleteMy favorite scripture on salvation in the Bible is the appearance of Christ to John in the Book of Revelation. "Fear not; I am the first and the last:
I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death." I like the image of Christ with keys offering me entrance to salvation through doors that I have locked - most importantly the keys of hell to bring me back into the presence of God and also the keys of death - because he has overcome death through his resurrection.
On a related note, I have to present on a book about Pentecostals tomorrow and as I was reading this history I noticed a great emphasis on Christ's power to heal because of his sufferings on the cross. I'm not a Pentecostal, but the idea that Christ can bring health to the sick or emotionally ill or just to comfort and heal us from our desires to sin is wrapped up into that idea of salvation too, I think.
Alma 7:11-13 (Book of Mormon) gets at this maybe. It states that Christ "shall go forth, suffering pains and afflictions and temptations of every kind; and this that the word might be fulfilled which saith he will take upon him the pains and the sicknesses of his people.
12 And he will take upon him death, that he may loose the bands of death which bind his people; and he will take upon him their infirmities, that his bowels may be filled with mercy, according to the flesh, that he may know according to the flesh how to succor his people according to their infirmities.
13 Now the Spirit knoweth all things; nevertheless the Son of God suffereth according to the flesh that he might take upon him the sins of his people, that he might blot out their transgressions according to the power of his deliverance; and now behold, this is the testimony which is in me."
Thanks Chris, its great to have a new voice with a fresh perspective. I feel as you do, that the question of salvation is a complex subject, one that is often treated simplistically. I will in the very near future offer my own viwpoint in greater detail.
ReplyDeleteChristopher is a bonafide Religious Scholar and is currently working towards his Doctorate....he also happens to be my Son In Law, a fact of wich I am very proud! That he makes my daughter Christine happy is an even greater blessing.
Christopher's perspective as a Morman should add a little spice and maybe even some controversy to the mix. I believe however, if you read carefully what he wrote, you will find a greater commanality than some might think.
Don't be afraid to ask questions or challenge the varying theolological attitudes. Christopher is more than capable of defending his position as is everyone else.
Again let me say how much I appreciate your comments and I hope that you continue to contribute in the future.
P.S. Tell Christine to jump in as well, that way I can be doubly proud!