In the previous article No 383 we looked at Jesus as THE CREATOR of the world. Now we look at Him as the One who willingly became THE SAVIOUR of the world. We will be looking primarily at the words used for salvation in the Bible and also the tenses of salvation in the Bible for describing what that salvation means for humans today.
The Meaning Of “Salvation” [sōtēria, σωτηρία]
1) The Noun. Soteria. salvation, preservation, freedom from sin, wholeness.
2) The Verb. Sozo. Σώζω. to save, heal, make more whole, preserve, restore.
3) The Noun. Sōtḗr. Σωτήρ. Saviour or Deliverer.
The Tenses Of Salvation for those who are saved.
· PAST TENSE. We have been saved from the PENALTY of sin.
· PRESENT TENSE. We are being saved from the POWER of sin
· FUTURE TENSE. We will be saved from the PRESENCE of sin.
1) PAST TENSE. We have been saved from the PENALTY of sin
JUSTIFICATION. It means being made right with God. Through what Jesus did for us to reconcile us back to God.
· It was while we were still sinners. Rom 5:8 but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. 9 Since, therefore, we have now beenjustified by his blood, much more shall we be saved by him from the wrath of God.
· It was a free gift to us in Christ and accepted by us through faith. Eph 2:8 For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, 9 not a result of works, so that no one may boast.
· We could do nothing to deserve it. It was all of grace. 2 Tim 1:9, who saved us and called us to a holy calling, not because of our works but because of his own purpose and grace, which he gave us in Christ Jesus before the ages began,
· It was offered to us because of His mercy and grace. Titus 3:4 But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Saviour appeared, 5 he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit 6 whom he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Saviour
What it means for us that we “have been saved”
i) Salvation is offered to us individually now.
Rev 3:20 Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me. [Christ standing at the door of individual hearts knocking and asking to gain entrance into human lives. [See this portrayed in the painting by Holman Hunt called The Light of The World.]
ii) We can have assurance of our salvation.
God’s salvation is for eternity. Those who refuse Him perish for eternity. Those who accept salvation by accepting Christ, live for eternity with Him. Joh 3:16 “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.
· There is no ground for human boasting. It is by accepting the gracious gift of God, in Him. Eph 2:8 For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, 9 not a result of works, so that no one may boast.
In this life we have the opportunity to receive Christ as Saviour or to continue to reject Him. 1Jn 5:11 And this is the testimony, that God gave us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. 12 Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life. 13 I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life.
iii)We can live with humble assurance and not arrogant presumption. Eph 2:8 By grace you have been saved…And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God
iv) NOW we have peace with God.
God’s peace is available to us from the moment we receive Him as Saviour of our lives. Rom 5:1 Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.
v) NOW we are no longer condemned by God.
We are no longer condemned as believers in Christ. Rom 8:1, There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.
vi) NOW we belong to the family of God.
· In receiving Him as Saviour we received the privilege of belonging to the family of God. Joh 1:12 But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God,
· Jesus is real. The first disciples saw, heard and touched Him. John wanted to assure later disciples to know His reality. 1Jn 1:1 That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we looked upon and have touched with our hands, concerning the word of life—2 the life was made manifest, and we have seen it, and testify to it and proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and was made manifest to us—
2) PRESENT TENSE. We ARE BEING SAVED from the POWER of sin
(Sanctification – Jesus lives IN us)
What it means for us that we are “being saved”
i). We are being empowered by the gospel we CAN understand.
Those who heard the preaching of the gospel were saved from the penalty of sin as they believed in the message. Now God is continuing to save them from the power of sin. 1 Cor 1:18, For the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. Only the “saved” can understand what God has done for us in Christ. The gospel empowers us to live for Christ in our everyday living.
ii). God is pleased with those in whom Christ lives and moves.
Believers in Christ are pleasing in the sight and nostrils of God and to one another in Him. 2 Cor 2:15, For we are the aroma of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing
iii). CAUTION! GOD IS AT WORK IN US! And He works through us!
· Our appreciation for our salvation is shown as we willingly work out in our lives what He is working in us by His Spirit. He gives us the willingness and the ability to do so in pleasing Him. Phil 2:12, … work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, 13 for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.
· Those being saved have to work OUT in everyday living what God is working IN them as “saved” people. They are being motivated (to will) and empowered (to work) by God Himself to live for His good pleasure (His will).
iv). GOD HELPS THE “BEING SAVED PEOPLE” THROUGHOUT THEIR LIVES.
God doesn’t just save us from hell. He also helps us as we seek to live for Him and especially through His ongoing prayers for us. Heb 7:25 Consequently, he is able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them.
2 things are necessary for our victories in our Christian lives from beginning to end on this earth.
a. We need to keep drawing near to Him (We must play our part.) Faith involves accepting Him as Saviour. It also involves accepting Him as the Lord and Master of our lives forever.
b. Jesus keeps on praying for us. (This is 100% certain as Heb 7:25 reminds us.)
3) FUTURE TENSE. We will be saved from the PRESENCE of sin
(GLORIFICATION– Jesus is coming to take us WITH Him to glory)
We will be saved from God’s wrath
i). The wrath of God is certain to come, but believers will not have to face it. Rom 5:9, Since, therefore, we have now been justified by his blood, much more shall we be saved by him from the wrath of God.
ii). The believers in Thessalonica had warmly welcomed Paul and were saved by His message. They knew that Jesus, when He came again, would save all believers from the wrath of God. 1Thess 1:9 For they themselves report concerning us the kind of reception we had among you, and how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God, 10 and to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, Jesus who delivers us from the wrath to come.
Our bodies will be set free from weakness.
iii) When people receive Jesus as Saviour He gives them His Spirit to make them inwardly new. But they still have the same outward bodies which age and grow weaker in time. We are bound by the weaknesses in our bodies and so we long for even our bodies to be set free. When Jesus comes we will receive new bodies which have no weaknesses or pain. Rom 8:23, … but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies.
What it means for us that we will be saved from the PRESENCE of sin!
The wrath of God will be released when Jesus returns but believers will be saved from it because
1). They have trusted in Jesus’ death for them. Rom 5:9, Since, therefore, we have now been justified by his blood, much more shall we be saved by him from the wrath of God. They have been made right with God and are at peace with Him. So they will be saved from the wrath of God as He has borne it for them on the cross.
2). They have turned to God. 1Thess 1:10, … to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, Jesus who delivers us from the wrath to come. A reminder thar=t salvation has its future aspect
Our bodies will be set free from weakness when He returns to take us to be with Him in glory.
3). Rom 8:23, … but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies.
—————————————————————————————————————————-
Jesus is the ONLY Saviour. The A.B.C.D. of making Him our Saviour.
[The prayer of commitment to Christ that I prayed near midnight on New Year’s Eve 1958 was based on the truths in the ABCD format below.]
Admitting we are sinners in the sight of God.
Believing that Christ died in our place on the cross.
Considering the cost of our salvation. It was free in Christ for us but it cost Christ His life, and it cost God His Son. It was VERY COSTLY.
But it costs us our lives as we willingly hand our lives over to Him.
Doing something about it. We need to open the door to the Christ who is knocking on the door of our hearts and to ask Him in. Thanking Him for being our Saviour from sin and inviting Him to be the Lord and Master of every part of our lives from that moment on.
QUESTIONS BASED ON TOPIC 2. JESUS. THE SAVIOUR
1]. In Section 1, what place does the grace of God play in our salvation?
2]. In Section 1 what part do we need to play to achieve our salvation?
3]. Section 2. If we have already received our salvation in Christ, what does it mean that we are still being saved?
4]. If God is at work in us as believers, how can we personally help the process of working out in practice what He is inwardly working in us?
5]. How do we know from Section 3 that we will not have to face the wrath of God?
6]. From Section 3, what other benefits will come to believers when Christ returns?
———————————————————————————-
A You Tube recording of this topic [Jesus. The Saviour of the world [38 minutes.] taught at St Thomas Port Macquarie in 2010 is available on this link or by searching on Jim Holbeck channel on YouTube directly.
Once an Industrial Chemist working for the Queensland Government but later an Anglican minister in Brisbane, Armidale and Sydney. Last position for eighteen years before retirement in 2006 was as the Leader of the Healing Ministry at St Andrew's Cathedral Sydney.
holbeck 
384. TOPIC 2. JESUS THE “SAVIOUR.” Topic 2 of 4 on Jesus as Creator, Saviour, Lord and Judge.
In the previous article No 383 we looked at Jesus as THE CREATOR of the world. Now we look at Him as the One who willingly became THE SAVIOUR of the world. We will be looking primarily at the words used for salvation in the Bible and also the tenses of salvation in the Bible for describing what that salvation means for humans today.
The Meaning Of “Salvation” [sōtēria, σωτηρία]
1) The Noun. Soteria. salvation, preservation, freedom from sin, wholeness.
2) The Verb. Sozo. Σώζω. to save, heal, make more whole, preserve, restore.
3) The Noun. Sōtḗr. Σωτήρ. Saviour or Deliverer.
The Tenses Of Salvation for those who are saved.
· PAST TENSE. We have been saved from the PENALTY of sin.
· PRESENT TENSE. We are being saved from the POWER of sin
· FUTURE TENSE. We will be saved from the PRESENCE of sin.
1) PAST TENSE. We have been saved from the PENALTY of sin
JUSTIFICATION. It means being made right with God. Through what Jesus did for us to reconcile us back to God.
· It was while we were still sinners. Rom 5:8 but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. 9 Since, therefore, we have now been justified by his blood, much more shall we be saved by him from the wrath of God.
· It was a free gift to us in Christ and accepted by us through faith. Eph 2:8 For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, 9 not a result of works, so that no one may boast.
· We could do nothing to deserve it. It was all of grace. 2 Tim 1:9, who saved us and called us to a holy calling, not because of our works but because of his own purpose and grace, which he gave us in Christ Jesus before the ages began,
· It was offered to us because of His mercy and grace. Titus 3:4 But when the goodness and loving kindness of God our Saviour appeared, 5 he saved us, not because of works done by us in righteousness, but according to his own mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewal of the Holy Spirit 6 whom he poured out on us richly through Jesus Christ our Saviour
What it means for us that we “have been saved”
i) Salvation is offered to us individually now.
Rev 3:20 Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and eat with him, and he with me. [Christ standing at the door of individual hearts knocking and asking to gain entrance into human lives. [See this portrayed in the painting by Holman Hunt called The Light of The World.]
ii) We can have assurance of our salvation.
God’s salvation is for eternity. Those who refuse Him perish for eternity. Those who accept salvation by accepting Christ, live for eternity with Him. Joh 3:16 “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.
· There is no ground for human boasting. It is by accepting the gracious gift of God, in Him. Eph 2:8 For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, 9 not a result of works, so that no one may boast.
In this life we have the opportunity to receive Christ as Saviour or to continue to reject Him. 1Jn 5:11 And this is the testimony, that God gave us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. 12 Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life. 13 I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life.
iii) We can live with humble assurance and not arrogant presumption. Eph 2:8 By grace you have been saved… And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God
iv) NOW we have peace with God.
God’s peace is available to us from the moment we receive Him as Saviour of our lives. Rom 5:1 Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.
v) NOW we are no longer condemned by God.
We are no longer condemned as believers in Christ. Rom 8:1, There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus.
vi) NOW we belong to the family of God.
· In receiving Him as Saviour we received the privilege of belonging to the family of God. Joh 1:12 But to all who did receive him, who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God,
· Jesus is real. The first disciples saw, heard and touched Him. John wanted to assure later disciples to know His reality. 1Jn 1:1 That which was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have seen with our eyes, which we looked upon and have touched with our hands, concerning the word of life—2 the life was made manifest, and we have seen it, and testify to it and proclaim to you the eternal life, which was with the Father and was made manifest to us—
2) PRESENT TENSE. We ARE BEING SAVED from the POWER of sin
(Sanctification – Jesus lives IN us)
What it means for us that we are “being saved”
i). We are being empowered by the gospel we CAN understand.
Those who heard the preaching of the gospel were saved from the penalty of sin as they believed in the message. Now God is continuing to save them from the power of sin. 1 Cor 1:18, For the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. Only the “saved” can understand what God has done for us in Christ. The gospel empowers us to live for Christ in our everyday living.
ii). God is pleased with those in whom Christ lives and moves.
Believers in Christ are pleasing in the sight and nostrils of God and to one another in Him. 2 Cor 2:15, For we are the aroma of Christ to God among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing
iii). CAUTION! GOD IS AT WORK IN US! And He works through us!
· Our appreciation for our salvation is shown as we willingly work out in our lives what He is working in us by His Spirit. He gives us the willingness and the ability to do so in pleasing Him. Phil 2:12, … work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, 13 for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.
· Those being saved have to work OUT in everyday living what God is working IN them as “saved” people. They are being motivated (to will) and empowered (to work) by God Himself to live for His good pleasure (His will).
iv). GOD HELPS THE “BEING SAVED PEOPLE” THROUGHOUT THEIR LIVES.
God doesn’t just save us from hell. He also helps us as we seek to live for Him and especially through His ongoing prayers for us. Heb 7:25 Consequently, he is able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them.
2 things are necessary for our victories in our Christian lives from beginning to end on this earth.
a. We need to keep drawing near to Him (We must play our part.) Faith involves accepting Him as Saviour. It also involves accepting Him as the Lord and Master of our lives forever.
b. Jesus keeps on praying for us. (This is 100% certain as Heb 7:25 reminds us.)
3) FUTURE TENSE. We will be saved from the PRESENCE of sin
(GLORIFICATION– Jesus is coming to take us WITH Him to glory)
We will be saved from God’s wrath
i). The wrath of God is certain to come, but believers will not have to face it. Rom 5:9, Since, therefore, we have now been justified by his blood, much more shall we be saved by him from the wrath of God.
ii). The believers in Thessalonica had warmly welcomed Paul and were saved by His message. They knew that Jesus, when He came again, would save all believers from the wrath of God. 1Thess 1:9 For they themselves report concerning us the kind of reception we had among you, and how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God, 10 and to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, Jesus who delivers us from the wrath to come.
Our bodies will be set free from weakness.
iii) When people receive Jesus as Saviour He gives them His Spirit to make them inwardly new. But they still have the same outward bodies which age and grow weaker in time. We are bound by the weaknesses in our bodies and so we long for even our bodies to be set free. When Jesus comes we will receive new bodies which have no weaknesses or pain. Rom 8:23, … but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies.
What it means for us that we will be saved from the PRESENCE of sin!
The wrath of God will be released when Jesus returns but believers will be saved from it because
1). They have trusted in Jesus’ death for them. Rom 5:9, Since, therefore, we have now been justified by his blood, much more shall we be saved by him from the wrath of God. They have been made right with God and are at peace with Him. So they will be saved from the wrath of God as He has borne it for them on the cross.
2). They have turned to God. 1Thess 1:10, … to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, Jesus who delivers us from the wrath to come. A reminder thar=t salvation has its future aspect
Our bodies will be set free from weakness when He returns to take us to be with Him in glory.
3). Rom 8:23, … but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies.
—————————————————————————————————————————-
Jesus is the ONLY Saviour. The A.B.C.D. of making Him our Saviour.
[The prayer of commitment to Christ that I prayed near midnight on New Year’s Eve 1958 was based on the truths in the ABCD format below.]
But it costs us our lives as we willingly hand our lives over to Him.
QUESTIONS BASED ON TOPIC 2. JESUS. THE SAVIOUR
1]. In Section 1, what place does the grace of God play in our salvation?
2]. In Section 1 what part do we need to play to achieve our salvation?
3]. Section 2. If we have already received our salvation in Christ, what does it mean that we are still being saved?
4]. If God is at work in us as believers, how can we personally help the process of working out in practice what He is inwardly working in us?
5]. How do we know from Section 3 that we will not have to face the wrath of God?
6]. From Section 3, what other benefits will come to believers when Christ returns?
———————————————————————————-
A You Tube recording of this topic [Jesus. The Saviour of the world [38 minutes.] taught at St Thomas Port Macquarie in 2010 is available on this link or by searching on Jim Holbeck channel on YouTube directly.
Blog No.384 posted on http://www.jimholbeck.blog on Thursday 14 October 2021.
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About Jim Holbeck
Once an Industrial Chemist working for the Queensland Government but later an Anglican minister in Brisbane, Armidale and Sydney. Last position for eighteen years before retirement in 2006 was as the Leader of the Healing Ministry at St Andrew's Cathedral Sydney.