SALVATION / SAVED
INTENTION:
No matter what you
are facing in this life, you can be freed (saved) from its power over you.
Our Salvation into
Eternal Life with the Lord is brought to us by Christ Jesus for us to believe
into that Salvation.
But also, we are and
can be Saved from the perils, diseases, strongholds (self), and obstacles we
face on this earth—we just need to allow Him into those aspects of our Spirit,
Heart, Soul, Mind, and Body.
( DOWNLOAD BIBLE STUDY AS PDF )
I.
TOPIC:
We want to look at Salvation, including the term Saved.
It is Christ Jesus who did what He did through the
completion of the Cross and sending of the Holy Spirit that brings Salvation
and His desire for us to be Saved—both in the now, and in our eternity.
I am using two different words and definitions here to go
into what it means for both in scripture. Let’s start with their meanings in
the Greek:
Salvation – G4991: sōtēria
1. deliverance,
preservation, safety, salvation
a. deliverance from the
molestation of enemies
b. in an ethical sense,
that which concludes to the soul's safety or salvation
i.
of Messianic salvation
2. salvation as the
present possession of all true Christians
3. future salvation, the
sum of benefits and blessings which the Christians, redeemed from all earthly
ills, will enjoy after the visible return of Christ from heaven in the
consummated and eternal kingdom of God.
Saved – G4982: sōzō
1. to save, keep safe
and sound, to rescue from danger or destruction
a. one (from injury or
peril)
i.
to save a suffering one (from perishing), i.e. one
suffering from disease, to make well, heal, restore to health
ii. to preserve one who
is in danger of destruction, to save or rescue
b. to save in the
technical biblical sense
i.
negatively
·
to deliver from the penalties of the Messianic
judgment
·
to save from the evils which obstruct the reception
of the Messianic deliverance
When we go through
the different readings and related verses, we will see how both Salvation and
Saved applies to us in the right NOW, in the future, and in the physical,
emotional (soul), and spiritual. We must not just see these terms as happening
in the “distant future”, but how it uniquely and personally relates to all my
being (Body, Mind, Soul, Heart, and Spirit). In this sense, we are: saved,
being saved, and reserved for salvation.
We will also tackle
the notion of whether we can “lose” our salvation.
II.
READING: Salvation / Saved is only through (and
because of) Jesus Christ:
John
12:44-50 (NABRE) {PoG}
Jesus cried out and said, “Whoever believes in me believes
not only in me but also in the one who sent me, 45 and whoever sees me sees the
one who sent me. 46 I came into the world as light, so that everyone who
believes in me might not remain in darkness. 47 And if anyone hears my words
and does not observe them, I do not condemn him, for I did not come to condemn
the world but to save {G4982}
the world. 48 Whoever rejects me and does not accept my words has something to
judge him: the word that I spoke, it will condemn him on the last day, 49
because I did not speak on my own, but the Father who sent me commanded me what
to say and speak. 50 And I know that his commandment is eternal life. So what I
say, I say as the Father told me.”
Acts
4:8-12 (NABRE) {PoG}
Then Peter, filled with
the holy Spirit, answered them, “Leaders of the people and elders: 9 If we are
being examined today about a good deed done to a cripple, namely, by what means
he was saved {G4982},
10 then all of you and all the people of Israel should know that it was in the
name of Jesus Christ the Nazorean whom you crucified, whom God raised from the
dead; in his name this man stands before you healed {(G5199:
restored to health)}. 11 He is ‘the stone rejected by you, the builders, which
has become the cornerstone.’ 12 There is no salvation {G4991}
through anyone else, nor is there any other name under heaven given to the
human race by which we are to be saved {G4982}.”
Romans
1:16-17 (NABRE) {PoG}
For I am not ashamed of the gospel. It is the power of God
for the salvation {G4991}
of everyone who believes: for Jew first, and then Greek. 17 For in it is
revealed the righteousness of God from faith to faith; as it is written, “The
one who is righteous by faith will live.”
Ephesians
1:7-14 (NABRE) {PoG}
In him we have redemption by his blood, the forgiveness of
transgressions, in accord with the riches of his grace 8 that he lavished upon
us. In all wisdom and insight, 9 he has made known to us the mystery of his
will in accord with his favour that he set forth in him 10 as a plan for the
fullness of times, to sum up all things in Christ, in heaven and on earth.
11 In him we were also chosen, destined in accord with the
purpose of the One who accomplishes all things according to the intention of
his will, 12 so that we might exist for the praise of his glory, we who first
hoped in Christ. 13 In him you also, who have heard the word of truth, the
gospel of your salvation {G4991},
and have believed in him, were sealed with the promised holy Spirit, 14 which
is the first instalment of our inheritance toward redemption as God’s
possession, to the praise of his glory.
1
Timothy 2:3-6a (NABRE) {PoG}
This is good and pleasing to God our saviour, 4 who wills
everyone to be saved {G4982}
and to come to knowledge of the truth.
5 For there is one God. There is also one mediator between
God and the human race,
Christ Jesus, himself human, 6
who gave himself as ransom for all.
III.
RELATED VERSES AND QUESTIONS:
A. When
we believe, we are sealed with the Holy Spirit; and through Christ Jesus is
that means to Salvation. We are placed into Salvation when we believe, and
fully inherit it upon the completion of our life here on earth—that is either
when we die (Christian ‘sleep’), or when the Lord comes again.
Romans
13:11 (NABRE)
And do this because you
know the time; it is the hour now for you to awake from sleep. For our
salvation is nearer now than when we first believed.
1
Thessalonians 5:8-10 (NABRE) {PoG}
But since we are of the
day, let us be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love and the
helmet that is hope for salvation. 9 For God did not destine us for wrath, but
to gain {G4047:
preserve} salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, 10 who died for us, so that
whether we are awake or asleep we may live together with him.
Hebrews
9:26b-28 (NABRE)
But now once for all he
has appeared at the end of the ages to take away sin by his sacrifice. 27 Just
as it is appointed that human beings die once, and after this the judgment, 28
so also Christ, offered once to take away the sins of many, will appear a
second time, not to take away sin but to bring salvation to those who eagerly
await him.
1
Peter 1:3-9 (NABRE)
Blessed be the God and
Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who in his great mercy gave us a new birth to
a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 to an
inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for
you 5 who by the power of God are safeguarded through faith, to a salvation
that is ready to be revealed in the final time. 6 In this you rejoice, although
now for a little while you may have to suffer through various trials, 7 so that
the genuineness of your faith, more precious than gold that is perishable even
though tested by fire, may prove to be for praise, glory, and honour at the
revelation of Jesus Christ. 8 Although you have not seen him you love him; even
though you do not see him now yet believe in him, you rejoice with an
indescribable and glorious joy, 9 as you attain the goal of [your] faith, the
salvation of your souls.
Question: In the meaning of the word Salvation
it says: “deliverance, preservation, safety, salvation—deliverance from the
molestation of enemies”. What does that mean to you in the ‘here and now’?
B. This
eternal Salvation is because we are Saved by believing in Jesus Christ (His
Faith and God’s Grace), which leads us to that fulfilment of Salvation.
Romans
10:9-13 (NABRE)
For, if you confess with
your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him
from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For one believes with the heart and so is
justified, and one confesses with the mouth and so is saved. 11 For the scripture
says, “No one who believes in him will be put to shame.” 12 For there is no
distinction between Jew and Greek; the same Lord is Lord of all, enriching all
who call upon him. 13 For “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be
saved.”
Ephesians
2:4-8 (NABRE)
But God, who is rich in
mercy, because of the great love he had for us, 5 even when we were dead in our
transgressions, brought us to life with Christ (by grace you have been saved),
6 raised us up with him, and seated us with him in the heavens in Christ Jesus,
7 that in the ages to come he might show the immeasurable riches of his grace
in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus. 8 For by grace you have been saved
through faith, and this is not from you; it is the gift of God.
2
Timothy 4:18 (NABRE) {PoG}
The Lord will rescue me
from every evil threat and will bring me safe
{G4982}
to his heavenly kingdom. To him be glory forever and ever. Amen.
Question: What can we personally do to recognise
this Saving in our life now—aspects of being Saved that do or can manifest
themselves in our day-to-day lives?
C. The
saving that comes from Jesus Christ encompasses anything to do with one’s being
(Body, Mind, Soul, Heart, and Spirit). As we read in Acts
4:8-12 above, we see this saving of the crippled man was physical (in his
body). We must not reject that Christ wants us to be healed in the physical; as
“healing” and “saving” are often shared in meaning in the context of a physical
healing (of which Christ took upon Himself).
1
Peter 2:24 (NABRE) {PoG}
He himself bore our sins
in his body upon the cross, so that, free from sin, we might live for
righteousness. By his wounds you have been healed {G2390}.
Mark
5:25-34 (NABRE) {PoG}
There was a woman afflicted with haemorrhages for twelve years. 26 She
had suffered greatly at the hands of many doctors and had spent all that she
had. Yet she was not helped but only grew worse. 27 She had heard about Jesus
and came up behind him in the crowd and touched his cloak. 28 She said, “If I
but touch his clothes, I shall be cured {G4982}.”
29 Immediately her flow of blood dried up. She felt in her body that she was
healed {G2390}
of her affliction. 30 Jesus, aware at once that power had gone out from him,
turned around in the crowd and asked, “Who has touched my clothes?” 31 But his
disciples said to him, “You see how the crowd is pressing upon you, and yet you
ask, ‘Who touched me?’” 32 And he looked around to see who had done it. 33 The
woman, realizing what had happened to her, approached in fear and trembling.
She fell down before Jesus and told him the whole truth. 34 He said to her,
“Daughter, your faith has saved {G4982}
you. Go in peace and be cured {G5199}
of your affliction.”
Mark 6:55-56 (NABRE) {PoG}
They scurried about the surrounding country and began to bring in the
sick on mats to wherever they heard he was. 56 Whatever villages or towns or
countryside he entered, they laid the sick in the marketplaces and begged him
that they might touch only the tassel on his cloak; and as many as touched it
were healed {G4982}.
Question: Does your heart and mind accept or
reject that the Lord wants you to have physical healing?
·
Refer also: Bible Study Lesson 008 – Health
& Healing
D. Our
saving journey in this life is a healing journey. And so much of what this
healing entails, is the saving of our soul (emotional wellbeing). The internal
conflicts of this life often stem from what is programmed into us by this world
(our upbringing), fighting against the spirit-out truth of who we are (under
what the world buries us in). And each of our life-experiences differ. As such,
each person’s healing journey is unique. We may share common outcomes and
stronghold symptoms; but the journey to become free from my own internal self
(mind, soul, and heart) is mine to work out. Thus, each of our unique healing
journey becomes “working out our own salvation”.
Galatians
5:1 (NABRE)
For freedom Christ set us
free; so stand firm and do not submit again to the yoke of slavery.
Philippians 2:12-13 (NABRE)
So then, my beloved,
obedient as you have always been, not only when I am present but all the more
now when I am absent, work out your salvation with fear and trembling. 13 For
God is the one who, for his good purpose, works in you both to desire and to work.
1
Timothy 4:10-16 (NABRE)
For this we toil and
struggle, because we have set our hope on the living God, who is the saviour of
all, especially of those who believe.
11 Command and teach these
things. 12 Let no one have contempt for your youth, but set an example for
those who believe, in speech, conduct, love, faith, and purity. 13 Until I
arrive, attend to the reading, exhortation, and teaching. 14 Do not neglect the
gift you have, which was conferred on you through the prophetic word with the
imposition of hands of the presbyterate. 15 Be diligent in these matters, be
absorbed in them, so that your progress may be evident to everyone. 16 Attend
to yourself and to your teaching; persevere in both tasks, for by doing so you
will save both yourself and those who listen to you.
1 Peter 1:9 {PoG}
The conclusive results of faith {the manifestation of God in your
life}, carry with it, the salvation of your emotional realm (soul).
3 John 1:2 (NABRE)
Beloved, I hope you are prospering in every respect and are in good
health, just as your soul is prospering.
Question: What aspects of your “inner being” are
being saved? How can you overcome the anxieties of the healing needed in these
areas?
IV.
FURTHER THOUGHT:
A. Can
we “lose” our Salvation?
No, not in the sense of it
being as though we misplace it (i.e. like we would “lose” a coin). But we can
reject Salvation; even after being Saved. What this means is that it is our
choice to believe in Christ Jesus to be Saved; and thus, also our choice to
un-believe even after we chose to believe on Him and are Born-Again. It is not
a result of “losing” something by mistake or error, but by literally choosing
to reject Jesus Christ in His entirety to no longer be Born-Again. No sin of
the flesh can do this; we don’t lose our Holiness or Salvation when we commit a
sin of the flesh. Remember, those were all bore at the Cross
once-and-for-all-time. It is only the Sin of again not believing in Him for
Salvation that will remove us from being Saved unto Salvation.
This is addressed specifically
in Hebrews
6:1-6 which describes what we have to experience before knowingly rejecting
Jesus Christ outright after believing. We cannot Crucify Christ a second time;
nor, in that sense, be “Born-Again-Again”. Ephesians
talks about unsealing ourselves from the Holy Spirit. Hebrews
10 and 2
Peter 2 talks about rejecting Him; with Romans
11 discussing the analogy of Olive Branches being “grafted in” through
belief, and “cut off” in unbelief (being cut off even after being grafted in
through belief).
Romans
11:19-24 (NABRE)
Indeed you will say, “Branches were broken off so that I might be
grafted in.” 20 That is so. They were broken off because of unbelief, but you
are there because of faith. So do not become haughty, but stand in awe. 21 For
if God did not spare the natural branches, [perhaps] he will not spare you
either. 22 See, then, the kindness and severity of God: severity toward those
who fell, but God’s kindness to you, provided you remain in his kindness;
otherwise you too will be cut off. 23 And they also, if they do not remain in
unbelief, will be grafted in, for God is able to graft them in again. 24 For if
you were cut from what is by nature a wild olive tree, and grafted, contrary to
nature, into a cultivated one, how much more will they who belong to it by nature
be grafted back into their own olive tree.
Ephesians
1:13-14; 4:30 (NABRE) {PoG}
13 In him you also, who
have heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and have believed
in him, were sealed with the promised holy Spirit, 14 which is the first
instalment of our inheritance toward redemption as God’s possession, to the praise
of his glory.
30 And do not grieve the
holy Spirit of God {through the Sin of un-believing in Jesus Christ},
with which you were sealed for the day of redemption.
Hebrews
6:1-6 (NABRE)
Therefore, let us leave
behind the basic teaching about Christ and advance to maturity, without laying
the foundation all over again: repentance from dead works and faith in God, 2
instruction about baptisms and laying on of hands, resurrection of the dead and
eternal judgment. 3 And we shall do this, if only God permits. 4 For it is
impossible in the case of those who have once been enlightened and tasted the
heavenly gift and shared in the holy Spirit 5 and tasted the good word of God
and the powers of the age to come, 6 and then have fallen away, to bring them
to repentance again, since they are re-crucifying the Son of God for themselves
and holding him up to contempt.
Hebrews
10:26-29 (NABRE) {PoG}
If we sin {the Sin of
un-believing in Jesus Christ} deliberately after receiving knowledge of the
truth, there no longer remains sacrifice for sins 27 but a fearful prospect of
judgment and a flaming fire that is going to consume the adversaries. 28 Anyone
who rejects the law of Moses is put to death without pity on the testimony of
two or three witnesses. 29 Do you not think that a much worse punishment is due
the one who has contempt for the Son of God, considers unclean the
covenant-blood by which he was consecrated, and insults the spirit of grace?
2
Peter 2:20-22 (NABRE) {PoG}
For if they, having
escaped the defilements of the world through the {precise and correct knowledge
of our} Lord and saviour Jesus Christ, again become entangled and overcome by
them, their last condition is worse than their first. 21 For it would have been
better for them not to have known {to be fully acquainted with} the way of
righteousness than after knowing it to turn back from the holy commandment
handed down to them. 22 What is expressed in the true proverb has happened to
them, “The dog returns to its own vomit,” and “A bathed sow returns to
wallowing in the mire.”
Thoughts: It is that we can reject Salvation
after being Born-Again; but have confidence (because God keeps us sealed) that
you cannot accidently “lose” it by mistake. Nor will He Himself reject you or
remove you from Salvation because we might think He is “unhappy” with us (your
sins are perpetually forgiven). We must believe and remain in that belief, for
us to reach (achieve) Salvation at His coming or our death (Christian ‘sleep’).
Just as you accept Him in your heart into Salvation, you have to reject Him in
your heart to deny your Salvation.
A thank you to Kelly and Joshua who are inspirational in this life-journey. And to all the family, friends, sponsors, and donors who have fed into this ministry and outreach.
If you would like to support this ministry and outreach, you may do so via our website or at:
Comments
Post a Comment