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Salvation Way
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One of the great topics of discussion and even debate in Christian circles is that of salvation. Christians profess a belief in salvation from the fallen state of sin that all of humanity suffers from. This salvation comes from God through Jesus Christ (1 Thessalonians 5:8-10)
The God-Man
Jesus as God-man is a concept many find difficult to accept. Of course it is difficult to believe. If you believe in one God that is the Creator of all and above all it is mind boggling that this God would become one of us. We are marvelous creatures, no doubt. But we are so imperfect. We cannot, even with the best of intentions, live in harmony with others, love and forgive those who hurt us, be completely humble and selfless or create constant good. There are people who’ve made valiant efforts – we call them saints. When you study their lives you can become impressed with how beautifully they lived, but they always recognized that they are not complete and fully good apart from God’s help.
The Incarnation story (the event that is the real meaning of Christmas) tells us of a God that so loves mankind that He becomes one of us. God’s only Son, the Word made flesh, comes into this fallen world to show us the way of salvation. Jesus lived a life of love, no matter what. Eventually he gave his life for this way. His death on the cross was the ultimate sacrifice, because God died for us as a great act of love. Jesus hanging on a cross in agony took all the hate thrown at him and returned only love. At the time there were many who thought they were doing the right thing by killing Jesus. But God and Jesus didn’t hold that against them. “Father, forgive them for they do not know what they are doing.” (Luke 23:34)
God Dying
God dying seems like impossibility, but with God all things are possible. God died and God resurrected shows us a pattern, one that is for all. We must be willing to die to our old way of living (the great sin of living without loving all and essentially playing God by not surrendering our self will). We die to self; we rise to new life as part of something wonderful. Jesus shows us the way of salvation by inviting us to be part of the most intimate relationship possible – a union with God. He prayed for this unity with great fervor (see chapter 17 in the Gospel of John).
The Gift
The gift of salvation is a gift freely given to all. All we have to do is believe and accept it. That is all we have to do – as a start. But it cannot end there. Just saying you believe in Jesus Christ as the Son of God who takes away the sin of the world is not enough. This is where the struggle lies. It is a continual surrender to God. Our lives become transformed by living the way Jesus lived. Sometimes we focus so much on the divinity of Christ that we miss what he showed us about how to be human.
A Process — Not an Event
Salvation is a process, not an event. It’s too simple to simply say you’re saved because you believe in Christ as the savior if you don’t follow through by changing the way you live. A believer in Christ must also be a follower. Fortunately this way of living is not a big secret. Read Matthew 5 and Chapter 25:31-46 to see what Jesus taught about how to treat others. This is emphasized elsewhere in the New Testament, especially in James 2.
God the Father sent God the Son to show us the way to live and the way to salvation. It’s the same message God has always given us — love God and love others (Mark 12:30-31; Deuteronomy 6:5; Leviticus 19:18)
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