Saved: Deliverance from What? The Many Faces of Salvation

Transcription

1 Saved: Deliverance from What? The Many Faces of Salvation In the New Testament, only three in ten uses of salvation (so te ria) and save (so zo ) refer to salvation from eternal condemnation and to obtaining eternal life. That means that 70% of the time in the New Testament the words save or salvation do not mean what most people think they mean, leading to misunderstandings that would be funny if they were not so calamitous. Work out your own salvation in fear and trembling (Phil 2:12). Nevertheless she will be saved in childbearing if they continue (1 Tim 2:15). Take heed to yourself and to the doctrine. Continue in them, for in doing this you will save both yourself and those who hear you (1 Tim 4:16). He became the author of eternal salvation to all who obey Him (Heb 5:9). Deliverance from Enemies Old Testament Salvation Deliverance from Trouble Deliverance of the Poor and Needy from Their Afflictions Deliverance of Israel from Captivity No Old Testament References to Salvation from Eternal Condemnation Matthew 8: Matthew 9:21. Matthew 14:30. New Testament Salvation: Deliverance from Death and Illness Are Most Common

2 2 P age Saved: Deliverance from What? Figurative Uses of Salvation in the New Testament Philippians. Salvation in Philippians (see 1:19) is enduring persecution for Christ with the result that Christ is glorified and that you will have boldness and not shame at the Bema. Hebrews. Salvation in Hebrews is being one of Christ s partners (Greek metochoi) in the life to come (compare 1:9 and 1:14). It is being a co-ruler with Christ in His coming kingdom. John 3:17. Ephesians 2:5, 8. Titus 3:5. Examples of New Testament Texts Where Salvation Actually Refers to Gaining Eternal Life What Did the Angel Mean When He Said That Jesus Will Save His People from Their Sins? Matthew 1:21 What a Difference a Little Confusion Makes Both justification and sanctification are derailed if we misunderstand the meaning of save and salvation in the Bible. Salvation from What? Work out your own salvation in fear and trembling (Phil 2:12). Paul is talking about successfully handling persecution in a God-honoring manner resulting in future rulership with Christ. Compare Phil 1:19. Nevertheless she [singular, a woman] will be saved in childbearing if they [plural, her children] continue in faith, love, and holiness, with self-control (1 Tim 2:15). Paul is discussing deliverance from the frustration a woman might experience from not being able to teach in the church (that is, teach the whole congregation as a teaching elder/senior pastor) with a view toward ruling with Christ in the life to come. Take heed to yourself and to the doctrine. Continue in them, for in doing this you will save both yourself and those who hear you (1 Tim 4:16). Paul is referring here to deliverance from false teachers with a view to ruling with Christ in the life to come. He became the author of eternal salvation to all who obey Him (Heb 5:9). Salvation here is being Christ s partners (metochoi) and ruling with Him eternally in the life to come (cf. Heb 1:9, 14; 3:1, 14).

3 Judgment: The Differences Between the Two Judgments Introduction Believers Unbelievers Works judged? Yes Yes Reason works judged? Degrees of rewards Degrees of torment Destiny based on works? No No Destiny based on faith? Yes Yes When judged? Before Millennium After Millennium Name of judgment? Judgment Seat of Christ Great White Throne Judgment Biblical location? 2 Cor 5:9-11 Rev 20:11-15 Common Misperception: Everyone s Works Will One Day Be Judged by Jesus to Determine Everyone s Eternal Destinies You don t need to worry about final judgment. We are accountable to the Lord Jesus Christ, of course. And everyone, believer and unbeliever, will be judged after this life is over. However, no one will be judged to determine his eternal destiny, as we shall see from Scripture. There Is No Judgment of Believers to Determine Their Eternal Destiny (John 5:24) The statement by the Lord in John 5:24 is one of the most magnificent statements of eternality of the life that Jesus gives to the believer. The Lord uses three different verb tenses, present, future, and past, to make His point. All three tenses are dealing with one point: the one who believes in Jesus has everlasting life that can never be lost. The future tense statement is that the one who believes in Jesus shall not come into judgment. The Judgment of the Works of Believers at the Bema Is to Determine Degree of Reward, Not Eternal Destiny (2 Cor 5:1-11) Paul says that we all, meaning all born-again people, must appear before the judgment seat of Christ. The reason is that each one may receive the things done in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad (2 Cor 5:10).

4 2 P age Differences Between the Two Judgments This same teaching is found in many passages (e.g., Matt 16:24-28; 19:28-30; Luke 19:11-27; 1 Cor 4:1-5; 9:24-27; Gal 6:7-9; 2Tim 2:12; 4:6-8; Jas 5:9; 1 Pet 4:13; 1 John 2:28; 1 John 4:17-19; Rev 2:26; 3:21). The Destiny of Unbelievers Is Based on Their Unbelief, Not Their Works (Revelation 20:11-15) Even a casual reading of Rev 20:11-15 shows that there are two separate issues. The judgment concerns the books, plural, that are opened. These are books containing the works, good and bad, of all people. But after the books are opened and examined, a separate book, singular, is opened. This book is the Book of Life. It is this book which reveals who goes to the New Earth and who goes to the lake of fire. Anyone not found written in the Book of Life is cast into the lake of fire. The basis of condemnation is found in the Book, not in the books. What about Matthew 7:21-23? The first issue is what the will of the Father is. The second issue is what is meant by the words, Have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name? Matthew 7:21-23 refutes Works Salvation. So What Difference Does It Make? 1. Assurance is at stake. 2. Eternal destiny is at stake. 3. Our ability to evangelize clearly hangs in the balance. 4. Assurance promotes love, gratitude, and a robust Christian life. Conclusion fire. Believers are judged before the Millennium to determine degrees of reward in the kingdom. Unbelievers are judged after the Millennium to determine degrees of torment in the lake of No believer or unbeliever will be judged to determine his eternal destiny.

5 Faith: Believe It or Not Introduction Faith is a simple word. It should not be misunderstood. However, today the meaning of faith is much misunderstood. Faith in the Bible, as in All of Life, Is Being Convinced Something Is True Only once in the words of Jesus as recorded in the four Gospels do we find Him asking this question, Do you believe this? That is in John 11:26. Martha was convinced that Jesus is the resurrection and the life as He had just said. She knew He guaranteed her everlasting life and bodily resurrection. Faith is not even a decision. It is the conviction that something is true. Saving Faith Is the Conviction That Jesus Guarantees Everlasting Life to All Who Simply Believe in Him Jesus Guarantees Eternal Life to All Who Simply Believe in Him Jesus said to her, I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live. And whoever lives and believes in Me shall never die. Do you believe this? She said to Him, Yes, Lord, I believe that You are the Christ, the Son of God, who is to come into the world. John 11:25-27 It doesn t take a rocket scientist to see that saving faith in John 11:26 is simply being convinced that the Lord Jesus guarantees resurrection and everlasting life to all who simply believe in Him.

6 2 P age Faith: Believe It or Not Believing in Jesus for Eternal Life Is Enough! Calvary means that no one will be eternally condemned because of his sins. Condemnation is only for those who do not believe in Jesus for everlasting life and hence who are not found in the Book of Life (John 3:16-18, 36; Rev 20:15). Myth: Saving Faith Is an Ongoing Commitment to Obey This way of looking at saving faith certainly motivates some people to get to work and to give to the ministry of the local church. People who want to avoid the lake of fire need to get to work, because saving faith is committed, obedient, and persevering. Myth: Saving Faith Perseveres We are born again the moment we believe in the Savior who will never deny His promise to the believer (John 5:24; 2 Tim 2:13). We are not saved by perseverance in obedience or having eternal faith. We are saved by faith in the Savior who is eternally faithful to His promise. Myth: Saving Faith Is Unknowable This is an unwitting rejection of the very words of the Lord Jesus Christ. The Most Confusing Illustration of Saving Faith: You Don t Really Believe Until You Get In Drop this illustration and all like it unless you wish to teach works salvation. Conclusion God says that whoever believes in Jesus has everlasting life and shall never perish. Do you believe that?