Salvation Isn't That Important
What does it mean to be saved? How do you become saved? How
do you know if you are saved? All common questions among those new to
Christianity. In my opinion, our focus shouldn’t be on salvation. Our focus should be
on emulating Christ and leading a life that is pleasing to God. When you put Christ
and God first in your life then salvation is much more likely. Unfortunately,
there’s no cheat sheet, aside from the Bible, on how to be saved. You won’t
find an accurate, easy to follow check list of what you must do to be saved.
The Bible gives the best explanation of what salvation is and how to achieve
it.
So, what does it mean to be saved? Many Christians that I’ve spoken with view salvation as a means to get into Heaven upon death. You will pass through judgement into eternal life with God and Christ. Salvation is more than a post-death reward, though. Salvation, to me, is a state of mind. You’ve received the Holy Spirit, you’re part of the body of Christ, and now you grow, learn, and do based on the hope of being saved. I view the Holy Spirit more as a conscience and comforter than anything. It is my guide for distinguishing between right and wrong. Essentially, the Torah that God placed on my heart and a reassuring voice telling me that no matter how bad things get, if I maintain strong faith in God, then I will be provided for. I don’t mean that everything will just be handed to me. What I do mean is that God will provide a means for me to be fed, clothed, and sheltered.
Achieving salvation is described in multiple ways throughout the Bible. This is what causes confusion among Christian denominations. The apostles give their own sets of instructions while Jesus offers an alternative. Many churches require baptism and a public confession of faith before they lay hands on an individual and declare them to be saved. I do not personally support this view on salvation. My salvation is not dependent on mortal hands or the acceptance of societal groups.
Throughout the New Testament we are repeatedly told that salvation only requires one thing: faith in Christ. Baptism typically follows acceptance of Christ, but this is more symbolic. It is a means to publicly participate in the crucifixion of Christ and be born of the Spirit. It is something that we choose to do for our personal relationship with God, not as a means to achieve salvation. Faith in Christ, however, is the solitary factor in salvation. He is our messenger, our redeemer, our shepherd. Without Him, our prayers go unheard by God, our sin is left unforgiven, and we are completely lost. We can’t just believe that Christ existed. Faith in Christ goes beyond that. We must accept that He died for our sins, that He is our only line of communication with God, and that we must follow His path if we want to be saved.
Salvation is an internal change. Although confession of faith in Christ is all that we need to be saved, it is far from being a onetime event. Salvation may not be based on our actions, but true faith in Christ changes our actions. It is our faith that produces good works. It is our faith that creates the desire to emulate Christ and live a life pleasing to God. It is our faith that keeps us in a state of constant spiritual growth. This growth is important because when we stop producing fruit that is when we have lost salvation.
So, what does it mean to be saved? Many Christians that I’ve spoken with view salvation as a means to get into Heaven upon death. You will pass through judgement into eternal life with God and Christ. Salvation is more than a post-death reward, though. Salvation, to me, is a state of mind. You’ve received the Holy Spirit, you’re part of the body of Christ, and now you grow, learn, and do based on the hope of being saved. I view the Holy Spirit more as a conscience and comforter than anything. It is my guide for distinguishing between right and wrong. Essentially, the Torah that God placed on my heart and a reassuring voice telling me that no matter how bad things get, if I maintain strong faith in God, then I will be provided for. I don’t mean that everything will just be handed to me. What I do mean is that God will provide a means for me to be fed, clothed, and sheltered.
"The body of Christ is needed to receive the Holy
Spirit. If you’re not part of the body then you have no, or only limited, access to the Spirit." I don’t think about it that way, though. To me, being part of the
body of Christ is about being part of something larger than myself. It is the
purpose of my life and of all Christian life. As the body of Christ we
represent Him. What we say, what we do, and what we don’t do should be edifying
and uplifting to Christ and God.
Achieving salvation is described in multiple ways throughout the Bible. This is what causes confusion among Christian denominations. The apostles give their own sets of instructions while Jesus offers an alternative. Many churches require baptism and a public confession of faith before they lay hands on an individual and declare them to be saved. I do not personally support this view on salvation. My salvation is not dependent on mortal hands or the acceptance of societal groups.
Throughout the New Testament we are repeatedly told that salvation only requires one thing: faith in Christ. Baptism typically follows acceptance of Christ, but this is more symbolic. It is a means to publicly participate in the crucifixion of Christ and be born of the Spirit. It is something that we choose to do for our personal relationship with God, not as a means to achieve salvation. Faith in Christ, however, is the solitary factor in salvation. He is our messenger, our redeemer, our shepherd. Without Him, our prayers go unheard by God, our sin is left unforgiven, and we are completely lost. We can’t just believe that Christ existed. Faith in Christ goes beyond that. We must accept that He died for our sins, that He is our only line of communication with God, and that we must follow His path if we want to be saved.
Salvation is an internal change. Although confession of faith in Christ is all that we need to be saved, it is far from being a onetime event. Salvation may not be based on our actions, but true faith in Christ changes our actions. It is our faith that produces good works. It is our faith that creates the desire to emulate Christ and live a life pleasing to God. It is our faith that keeps us in a state of constant spiritual growth. This growth is important because when we stop producing fruit that is when we have lost salvation.
That’s
right. I don’t believe that salvation is permanent. We are told far too often
by Jesus that salvation is not set in stone. Our names can be removed from the
Book of Life. We, as wild olive branches, can be removed. Fruitless trees will
be cut down and burned. Not all who say “Lord, Lord.” will enter the Kingdom of
Heaven. The Lord will separate the Sheep from the Goats. I don’t know how many
different ways we can be told that salvation is not permanent and that we must
continue doing good works as a sign of our unending faith in Christ.
Understanding, and believing, all of that means that my salvation isn't a concern for me. What I do, say, and think is the most important thing in my walk with Christ. Jesus spent so much of His time telling us how to be and that is the most ignored part of the Bible. As Christians we should care less about our salvation and more about how we are. Are we emulating Christ and His love? Are we truly giving, and showing, His love? Salvation isn't that important. How we are, and who we emulate, is. Are you emulating the world or are you emulating Christ?
Understanding, and believing, all of that means that my salvation isn't a concern for me. What I do, say, and think is the most important thing in my walk with Christ. Jesus spent so much of His time telling us how to be and that is the most ignored part of the Bible. As Christians we should care less about our salvation and more about how we are. Are we emulating Christ and His love? Are we truly giving, and showing, His love? Salvation isn't that important. How we are, and who we emulate, is. Are you emulating the world or are you emulating Christ?
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