If One Understands Salvation Rightly

2008-09-06 22:59

The forgiveness of sins alone cannot lead to salvation. The forgiveness of sins is redemption, not salvation. It is written, "In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace." (Ephesians 1:7).

Redemption, the forgiveness of sins, is a blessing that all people on earth freely received from God. It is written, "and through your offspring all nations on earth will be blessed, because you have obeyed me." (Genesis 22:18).

If we freely received, we have to freely give. If we received but don't give, there is only redemption for us, but there is no salvation for us.

Such faith without love cannot lead to God. The Bible says about those who received the love of Jesus but don't give it, "These men are blemishes at your love feasts, eating with you without the slightest qualm--shepherds who feed only themselves. They are clouds without rain, blown along by the wind; autumn trees, without fruit and uprooted--twice dead." (Jude 1:12).

God necessarily seek the fruit of love from those who have received the seed of love. A farmer, who sows seed in spring, seeks fruit in fall. The chaff, that received the seed of love but doesn't have the fruit of love, will be burned up with fire. It is written, "His winnowing fork is in his hand, and he will clear his threshing floor, gathering his wheat into the barn and burning up the chaff with unquenchable fire." (Matthew 3:12).

Therefore, God, who loved the world, said a new command by His Son, "A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another." (John 13:34).

Whoever has the new commands and obeys them, Jesus is revealed in him. Whoever has Jesus revealed, he will abide in the house of the Father with Jesus forever. It is written, "Whoever has my commands and obeys them, he is the one who loves me. He who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I too will love him and show myself to him." (John 14:21).

It is like this parable, "Shouldn't you have had mercy on your fellow servant just as I had on you?" (Matthew 18:33). Therefore, salvation is in giving, not in receiving. Salvation is to work out the love of God. Therefore, the Bible says, "Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed--not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence--continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling." (Philippians 2:12).

Many people are devoted to love given, but ignore love to give. It is because they misunderstand salvation. Those who give love, not those who receive love, remain in the kingdom of God.

The source of salvation is the love that God have for His Son, and the last of salvation is the love with which the Son lays down his body for many brothers. The Bible refers to it as "the Alpha and the Omega." It is written, "This is how we know what love is: Jesus Christ laid down his life for us. And we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers." (1 John 3:16).

God so loved all people on earth that He gave His one and only Son, that we should work out such love. Therefore, it is written, "For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision has any value. The only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love." (Galatians 5:6). And also it is plainly written, "In this way, love is made complete among us so that we will have confidence on the day of judgment, because in this world we are like him." (1 John 4:17).

Therefore, anyone who rightly understands salvation comes to obey the new command, and if he obeys the new command, Jesus will necessarily be revealed in him. Such a man is the light of the world. And so, the only faith that leads to salvation is faith working through love. Amen. Thank you, Lord.