Wednesday, February 3, 2016

Salvation – saved, to save

Salvation is one of those words passed around a lot by Christians but I wonder how many really understand what salvation is? For myself, it was one of many words that I had a fuzzy picture of, what did it really mean? I thought it was like receiving a free ticket to heaven. As long as I believed in Jesus Christ and made Him Lord of my life, I had a free ticket, I was saved; only relating to some future event.

As I started studying the word salvation in both the Old and New Testaments and going back to the original Hebrew and Greek words and their definitions, my picture of salvation changed. I think of salvation now as a day to day thing too. Doesn't our actions now, in this life affect what happens at judgment? So, can't we say that salvation includes the now; today, and the next, and the next. Each day I awake I can include that day as my salvation . As long as Christ lives in me and I in Christ, I have salvation which includes many different things – deliverance from natural plagues, saving from external enemies, giving peace in the midst of danger, healing from hurt or disease, averting evil, giving safety while traveling, never leave or forsake me, finding and bringing me back to His fold after straying.

Psalm 27:1 New American Standard Bible (NASB)

A Psalm of Fearless Trust in God.

A Psalm of David.

27 The Lord is my light and my salvation;
Whom shall I fear?
The Lord is the defense of my life;
Whom shall I dread?

From the “Bible Encyclopedia”
“”In systematic theology, “salvation” denotes the whole process by which man is delivered from all that would prevent his attaining to the highest good that God has prepared for him. Or, by a transferred sense, “salvation” denotes the actual enjoyment of that good.””

In the Gospel of John chapter 17 in what is referred to as “The Priestly Prayer” Jesus prayed this: (This was just before being arrested and then crucified)

John 17:9-12 Common English Bible (CEB)

9 “I’m praying for them. I’m not praying for the world but for those you gave me, because they are yours. 10 Everything that is mine is yours and everything that is yours is mine; I have been glorified in them. 11 I’m no longer in the world, but they are in the world, even as I’m coming to you. Holy Father, watch over them in your name, the name you gave me, that they will be one just as we are one. 12 When I was with them, I watched over them in your name, the name you gave to me, and I kept them safe. None of them were lost, except the one who was destined for destruction, so that scripture would be fulfilled.

Here, Jesus is praying for Father God to watch over the believers, “those You gave me”, to keep them safe. He does not include “the world”.

I was thinking, maybe you too, if salvation is saving us from harm or evil right now, why aren't we always saved?

One thing I've thought about recently are the barbaric killing, be-headings of Christians by ISIS in the Middle East. Why doesn't God protect them? I can't imagine how I would do if I was about to be be-headed but I truly believe that a part of that salvation is that I will not go through that alone; Jesus will be there with me. There are promises for those who endure those horrible acts in the name of Jesus.

Revelation 20:4 Common English Bible (CEB)

The saints rule with Christ

4  Then I saw thrones, and people took their seats on them, and judgment was given in their favor. They were the ones who had been beheaded for their witness to Jesus and God’s word, and those who hadn’t worshiped the beast or its image, who hadn’t received the mark on their forehead or hand. They came to life and ruled with Christ for one thousand years.
Jesus predicted what would happen in “The End Times” just before His return.

Luke 21:12-19 Common English Bible (CEB)

12 But before all this occurs, they will take you into custody and harass you because of your faith. They will hand you over to synagogues and prisons, and you will be brought before kings and governors because of my name. 13 This will provide you with an opportunity to testify. 14 Make up your minds not to prepare your defense in advance. 15 I’ll give you words and wisdom that none of your opponents will be able to counter or contradict. 16 You will be betrayed by your parents, brothers and sisters, relatives, and friends. They will execute some of you. 17 Everyone will hate you because of my name. 18 Still, not a hair on your heads will be lost. 19 By holding fast, you will gain your lives.

I doubt that anyone of that group who we call ISIS will ever read this but by chance anyone does, I have some questions for you. Actually, this could be for all who believe in God /god. If you or I believe that our god is all powerful, why does he need any one of us to carry out his judgments and punishments? Isn't he strong enough to do that himself? I don't know what it says in the other “Holy” books of other faiths but in the Bible, it says, “Vengeance Is Mine, I Will Repay.” says the Lord.” (Rom 12:19; Proverbs 20:22; Deuteronomy 32:35). 

The Bible also says this:

Matthew 7:1-2New American Standard Bible (NASB)

Judging Others


7 “Do not judge so that you will not be judged. 2 For in the way you judge, you will be judged; and by your standard of measure, it will be measured to you.

Do you judge yourself with the same scales you use to judge others? Have you ever done anything worthy of death, by your standards? Have you ever stolen anything? When does judgment, by your standards, begin and when does it end? In other words, if you have ever done anything in your lifetime worthy of death or worthy of your hand to be cut off, why are you exempt? God knows the truth.

Hebrews 4:12New American Standard Bible (NASB)


12 For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart.
More scriptures on salvation.

1 Chronicles 16:35New American Standard Bible (NASB)

35 Then say, “Save us, O God of our salvation,
And gather us and deliver us from the nations,
To give thanks to Your holy name,
And [a]glory in Your praise.

2 Chronicles 20:17New American Standard Bible (NASB)

17 You need not fight in this battle; station yourselves, stand and see the salvation of the Lord on your behalf, O Judah and Jerusalem.’ Do not fear or be dismayed; tomorrow go out to face them, for the Lord is with you.”


Psalm 18:2New American Standard Bible (NASB)

2 The Lord is my [a]rock and my fortress and my deliverer,
My God, my rock, in whom I take refuge;
My shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.

Isaiah 62:1New American Standard Bible (NASB)

Zion’s Glory and New Name

 For Zion’s sake I will not keep silent,
And for Jerusalem’s sake I will not keep quiet,
Until her righteousness goes forth like brightness,
And her salvation like a torch that is burning.

2 Corinthians 6:2 New American Standard Bible (NASB)

2 for He says,
“At the acceptable time I listened to you,
And on the day of salvation I helped you.”
Behold, now is “the acceptable time,” behold, now is “the day of salvation”—

Ephesians 6:17 New American Standard Bible (NASB)
17 And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

Philippians 2:12 New American Standard Bible (NASB)

12 So then, my beloved, just as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your salvation with fear and trembling;

Titus 2:11 New American Standard Bible (NASB)

11 For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all men,

Hebrews 2:10 New American Standard Bible (NASB)

10 For it was fitting for Him, for whom are all things, and through whom are all things, in bringing many sons to glory, to perfect the author of their salvation through sufferings.

1 Peter 1:5 New American Standard Bible (NASB)

5 who are protected by the power of God through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.

2 Peter 3:15 New American Standard Bible (NASB)

15 and regard the patience of our Lord as salvation; just as also our beloved brother Paul, according to the wisdom given him, wrote to you,

Luke 2:31 Common English Bible (CEB)

31 You prepared this salvation in the presence of all peoples.

Luke 3:6 Common English Bible (CEB)

6 All humanity will see God’s salvation.”

Acts 4:12 Common English Bible (CEB)

12 Salvation can be found in no one else. Throughout the whole world, no other name has been given among humans through which we must be saved.”

2 Corinthians 1:6 Common English Bible (CEB)

6 So if we have trouble, it is to bring you comfort and salvation. If we are comforted, it is to bring you comfort from the experience of endurance while you go through the same sufferings that we also suffer.

Hebrews 1:14 Common English Bible (CEB)

14 Aren’t all the angels ministering spirits who are sent to serve those who are going to inherit salvation?

1 Peter 1:3-9 Common English Bible (CEB)

Thanksgiving

3 May the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ be blessed! On account of his vast mercy, he has given us new birth. You have been born anew into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. 4 You have a pure and enduring inheritance that cannot perish—an inheritance that is presently kept safe in heaven for you. 5 Through his faithfulness, you are guarded by God’s power so that you can receive the salvation he is ready to reveal in the last time.
6 You now rejoice in this hope, even if it’s necessary for you to be distressed for a short time by various trials. 7 This is necessary so that your faith may be found genuine. (Your faith is more valuable than gold, which will be destroyed even though it is itself tested by fire.) Your genuine faith will result in praise, glory, and honor for you when Jesus Christ is revealed. 8 Although you’ve never seen him, you love him. Even though you don’t see him now, you trust him and so rejoice with a glorious joy that is too much for words. 9 You are receiving (present tense, receiving salvation now) the goal of your faith: your salvation.



The Hebrew word for salvation is yshuw'ah {yesh-oo'-aw} Definitions: feminine passive participle of 3467; something saved, i.e. (abstractly) deliverance; hence, aid, victory, prosperity: – deliverance, health, help(-ing), salvation, save,; saving (health), welfare
3467 yasha' {yaw-shah'} Definitions: a primitive root; properly, to be open, wide or free, i.e. (by implication) to be safe; causatively, to free or; succor:--X at all, avenging, defend, deliver(-er), help, preserve, rescue, be safe, bring (having) salvation,; save(-iour), get victory.


The Greek word for salvation is soteria {so-tay-ree'-ah} Definitions: feminine of a derivative of 4990 as (properly abstract) noun; rescue or safety (physical or morally); - deliver, health, salvation, save, saving.
4990 Soter {so-tare'} Definitions: from 4982; a deliverer, ie. God or Christ: -saviour.


now is the day of salvation (2Chr 6:2)
take the helmet of salvation (Eph 6:17)
work out your salvation (Phil 2:12)

2 Corinthians 7:10 New American Standard Bible (NASB)

10 For the sorrow that is according to the will of God produces a repentance without regret, leading to salvation, but the sorrow of the world produces death.


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