(Assembly of Yahweh)
| Monthly Spiritual Manna TRUMPETS Vol.2: No.10. Aug 2002 |
Salvation: The Greek word for salvation has many meanings. The disciples cried’ Lord, save us, we are perishing’, when they were in the storm (Matt. 8: 25). The word here means rescue in danger. The idea is that of rescue from some terrible situation. It is used for preservation in safety. ’He who endures to the end will be saved’ (Matt. 10: 22) It also used for saving from death. Messiah cried with tears to Him who was able to save Him from death (Heb.5: 7). Whoever brings back a sinner form the error of his ways will save his soul from death (James.5: 20) The connection of salvation with rescue from death is natural because Messiah abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel (II Tim. 1: 10). Christianity and Salvation are identical terms. Yahshua Messiah came into this world to save sinners (I Tim.1: 15). God (Yah) desires all men to be saved (I Tim. 2: 4) Here we see that there is no restriction on who will by saved by God (Yah). Salvation comes through the grace. of Yahshua Messiah (Acts. 15: 11, Eph.2: 5,8. We are saved not by the virtue of our own works but by the virtue of His grace (II Tim. 1: 9) Man does not deserve salvation and cannot win salvation. It is God (Yah)’s free gift to men, given in mercy and totally undeserved. Man should bring in a response of faith to obtain salvation. It is those who believe that it pleases God (Yah) to save. (I Cor. 1: 21) It was faith that saved the life of the woman, who was a sinner, (Luke. 7: 50). The devil always tries to take away the good seed of the word,’ that they may not believe and be saved’. (Luke. 8: 12) It is those who refuse to accept and to love the truth who are shutting themselves off from salvation (II Thes. 2: 10) We are not only saved by His death, we are also saved by the life of Yahshua Messiah. (Rom. 5: 10) We not only need forgiveness for our past sins but also help and strength and guidance for the present. Salvation includes the salvation of the body. He will change our lowly body to be like His glorious body (Phil. 3: 21). There are many religions that see salvation as a release from the body but Christianity teaches the salvation of every part of the body. Salvation means confessing that Yahshua Messiah is the Lord and belief in the resurrection (Rom. 10: 9). It means standing up for Him unashamedly. We should be sure that He is a living presence and not a character in a storybook. Salvation is mediated through men! Messiah chose men, ordinary mortals, to preach the message of salvation. Paul did the same that he may save some. (Rom.11: 14,I Cor.9: 22) The same thought is implied in I Cor.7: 16. The true teacher who takes thought for himself and for his teaching will save himself and his hearers (I Tim.4: 16) Just as man can help in salvation, he can also hinder the process of salvation (I Thes.2: 16) Salvation comes through the planted word (James.1: 21). The word is gospel and it is good news. (I Cor.15: 2) The message of the cross is foolishness to those who perish but to us who are being saved it is the power of God (Yah). (I Cor.1: 21,24) The experience of salvation is not easy. Some have to be delivered to Satan for the destruction of the flesh so their soul may be saved. (I Cor.5: 5). This probably means that some have to undergo sufferings, harassment, and excommunication from other Christians so that their pride and ego are crushed and their soul saved. Some have to be saved like brands plucked from the fire. (Jude.21) A man may come to Messiah of his own free will or he may have to be disciplined and chastened to accept the Lord. Salvation comes through baptism (Mark16: 16), ‘he who believes and is baptized will be saved, but he does not believe will be condemned’. It is the washing of regeneration and the renewal of the spirit that will bring salvation, (Titus. 3: 5) Salvation is rescue from the past as well as rescue for the future. Man is no longer a slave to his sin, but it makes him a new man and gives him a new future. It is not only an escape from a negative past but a positive victory. Yahshua Messiah is indeed the Savior for whom men were searching and waiting, and whom the world still needs. Hallelujah! |
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