So Nimm Denn Meine Hande...

Friday, February 15, 2008

Some thoughts to share on salvation...

Someone recently asked me "What exactly does it mean to be 'saved'?" and I gave them this response...

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It's not some esoteric mystery.

Christianity isn't about making you a better person. (It's *partly* about recognizing that you're a wretched, cursed sinful person)

Christianity isn't about getting a membership badge. (Though a Christian does become a member of the church universal)

Christianity isn't about getting out of Hell. (Though Christians are no longer threatened by the judgment for their sin that lands them up in Hell).

Why do you think Christians use the term "saved"?

The Bible says that Christians are "saved"."

Saved" from what?

Hell? no.

Sins? no.

Christians are "saved" from the coming wrath of God.

Romans 5:9 says "Since we have now been justified by his blood, how much more shall we be saved from God's wrath through him!"When a person is "saved", they're no longer under the threat of God's unmitigated wrath against their sin.

Instead, Christ perpetually averts God's judgment against sinners:"Now there have been many of those priests, since death prevented them from continuing in office; but because Jesus lives forever, he has a permanent priesthood. Therefore he is able to save completely those who come to God through him, because he always lives to intercede for them.Such a high priest meets our need—one who is holy, blameless, pure, set apart from sinners, exalted above the heavens. Unlike the other high priests, he does not need to offer sacrifices day after day, first for his own sins, and then for the sins of the people. He sacrificed for their sins once for all when he offered himself." - Hebrews 7:23-28

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...What changes when a person is "Saved" is that they are saved from God's wrath and judgment and have Christ to intercede for them, perpetually averting the wrath of God against them.

Salvation ultimately ends up with a person being thrown into hell...but a person is indirectly "saved" from the penalty and directly saved from the judgment...hence Christians are not "saved" from Hell.

Until Next Time,

The Armchair Theologian