Salvation

For many years, a curious concept has haunted the minds of a vast number of our church leaders concerning the meaning of the word SALVATION, as it is used in the theological sense.

The word "salvation" means: "Deliverance from sin and its consequence" (second death). Now, this deliverance, or redemption as some writers style it, is for body as well as for soul, "because the creature (body) itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God. For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now. And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit (namely), the redemption of our body" (Rom. 8:21-23).

Salvation comes with glorification, even as pure religion comes with sanctification. Truly, we are looking "for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto His glorious body."

Perhaps you, my reader, are among the many who have been misled into believing that the word SALVATION is synonymous with the word RELIGION (or, CONVERSION); and that the two words may be used interchangeably. Now, if this has been your teaching, then you have been taught error, and need to come into harmony with the teaching of the Scriptures on this subject.

"Come now, and let us reason together," and, as Paul-that great missionary to the Gentiles-has so expressively said, "Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the Word of Truth" (2 Tim. 2:15).

Suppose we take the two words, "religion" and "salvation" just here; and look at them in the light of the Scriptures and see if they can, in any sense, mea I n the same. You understand, of course, that we are speaking concerning the true religion of Christ.

James states that "pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this: To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unspotted from the world" (James 1:27). Now this is the kind of religion that brings salvation.

Turn with me now to Rom. 13:11, and let us see whether that eloquent theologian, the Apostle Paul, looked at salvation as being religion, or something one with religion might look forward to receiving at the resurrection:

"And that, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep; for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed." Can you not see, reader, that Paul understood salvation to be a reward for the righteous, something that a believer gets nearer to every day? Moreover, Paul corroborates this truth by saying to the Thessalonians: "But let us, who are of the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love; and for an helmet, the hope of salvation. For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain (to get possession of) salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ" (I Thes. 5:8, 9).

We need no explanations for the following Scriptures, for they are self-explanatory; that is, to those who want the truth and are willing to pay for it in terms of losing the praise and honor of men:

• "Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. For it is God who worketh in you both to will and to do of His good pleasure" (Phil. 2:12, 13).

• "But we are bound to give thanks always to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth" (2 Thes. 2:13).

• "Are they (angels) not all ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation" (Heb. 1:14)?

Dear reader, if you are a child of God, can you not see by now that you are called "to an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you, who are kept by the power of God through faith unto (until) salvation ready to be revealed in the last time?" (l Pet. 1:4, 5). Oh reader, can you not receive this God revealed message, and come on and rejoice with me "with joy unspeakable and full of glory"? Saints of God, if you walk in this light now, how happy you will be in the end, "receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls!" But if you go on alleging to have salvation now what will you claim when Jesus comes?

There is no standing still in the religious life of anyone who is looking forward to attaining this glorious prize of salvation. Paul's injunction to "work out your own salvation with fear and trembling" is followed immediately by the superb statement, "It is God which worketh in you" (Phil. 2:12, 13). It is as if he were saying to us, as well as to the church at Thessalonica: "God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ" (l Thes. 5:9). I am persuaded that this most positive letterwriter of the first century knew that every follower of Christ needed this repeated renewal of encouragement; therefore, he was constantly urging every believer to work and to obtain the salvation as promised by our Lord.

Paul's teaching of salvation echoes that of the Old Testament prophet Jeremiah, who said, "It is good that a man (of God) should both hope and quietly wait for the salvation of the Lord" (Lam. 3:26). If we are to follow Paul's direction, we must persevere in laboring for this most essential reward, even our salvation.

Remember the Lord is coming to "beautify the meek with salvation" for He "taketh pleasure in His people" (Psa. 149:4). And "How shall we (the saints of God) escape, if we neglect so great salvation?" (Heb. 2:3).

Dear reader, is there a hunger in your heart to go deeper in God? Do you have a feeling of loneliness and sorrow, and no one seems to understand, or even care? If so, write us and let us help you. We are helping thousands to a closer walk with God.

Every believer may reach those who are seeking God through the distribution of Gospel Tracts. Keep a supply of tracts on hand and be ready to offer them to those you meet throughout the day. This is one way to testify for our Lord.

Questions? E-mail us at GSAVELLI@aol.com

If this message has challenged and blessed you, we invite you to order our FREE "Gospel Tract Sampler Packet". This set of tracts and a cassette tape is completely FREE of charge, and in it you will find a multitude of scriptural references, Biblical messages, and helpful information on some of the things in this article. If you are hungry, you will be blessed. To order yours click "Order My FREE "Sampler Materials" Packet" NOW! We will rush these items to you. God bless you as you seek the truth!