During our latest Kairos Prison Ministry meeting there was a good deal of discussion about our mission regarding sharing our salvation story (relational evangelism). And that purpose being to share our personal salvation experience in Christ with the participants. I think it's good for the church (remember we are the church) to remind itself from time to time about this commission. And it's critical that we truly grasp the reality that is salvation in Christ, so that we can share our salvation story with others. And in doing so, we are working out our salvation in Christ.
Church folk, by their very nature, spend an awful lot of time talking about being saved. It's only natural they would. It's their business in Christ. Oh sure, the church can get distracted by social justice and the human works of salvation and Christian action, but let's not let these activities interfere with this One truth:
Salvation is found in no one else but Jesus Christ, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved.
Today let's be thoughtful and discerning when we study and share about this salvation in Christ.
If you notice in my previous statements above, I've been saying a very qualified statement about salvation. You'll note, I am intentionally saying salvation "in Christ" when I speak about salvation. I do this because there is often a good deal of confusion by people of faith that gets us mixed up when we start talking about "being saved". It's really easy to look at the scriptures and get to thinking there is contradictions surrounding salvation talk. And I think it's important that we truly take the time to learn what the scriptures really say about being saved in Christ.
Let me warn you now, I'm going to dig a little into the word now. But HEY! That's what I do "in Christ".
I wanna start right off with the solution to all the confusion, because I know people have short attention spans.
Read Titus 3:5 the apostle Paul said:
"he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit"
Who saved us? "He saved us" (he being Jesus)
Why did he save us? "Because of his mercy"
How did he save us? "Through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit" (“royal seal” see John 3:33; Acts 10:44, 47)
This is the process of "being saved" in Christ. Now note that nowhere in that process are you doing anything to finish this salvation or providing any human assistance for producing it for that matter. That said, there is a something that you are to "do" that will open the door to this process.
Look here:
Acts 2:38
"Repent and be baptized...in the name of Jesus Christ"
And...
Romans 10:10
"it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved."
The point of that repentance, believing, baptism and profession of faith is your reception of the work of the Holy Spirit in you. Your work is receiving Christ at work in you. That work is salvation in Christ. And it's not a work that ends when you "die and go to heaven". That salvation work ends when Christ returns. In His first coming, Jesus accomplished the work of redemption. When He comes again, He will bring about the consummation of all things in final judgment and salvation. He's the one doing the work of salvation. We're the ones working out our own salvation in fear and trembling when by our faith in Christ Jesus we believe in salvation through him.
John 11:24 Jesus said:
“I am the resurrection and the life. Anyone who believes in me will live, even after dying."
Jesus will appear a second time, not to deal with sin but to save those who are eagerly waiting for him. That "eagerly waiting" is our work. What that "eagerly waiting" looks like in our particular circumstances is the work of The Holy Spirit in us. He already dealt with sin, he already bore that sin on his cross.
Think of it like a drink cozy. You're the drink, whatever that is. And Christ's righteousness is the cozy. His righteousness covers you. You are still you. And he is still Him. You are covered (sealed) in him. You didn't create the cozy. You don't support or produce energy that empowers the cozy to do what it does. And though the helper, sent by Christ, the Holy Spirit, lives within you, working salvation in you; you are still you, whatever that is. Yes you're a new creation "in Christ". You are you wrapped in Christ's cozy sealed for salvation. And the Holy Spirit inside you is goading you to grow in your faith. He works to help you pray. He helps you to discover God's will in the study of his word. And He gives you inspiration and the gifts you'll need so that you will grow in your faith by putting you into service for Christs commission. They call this faithfulness. Jesus calls it rebirth, a new creation.
And so that is the lamp lit up. That's the salvation being worked out. It's not creating your salvation. It's not bringing it about. And it's not finished by you. Jesus is the perfection and the perfector (Hebrews 12:2). His return is about bearing us up into the heavens with him, and his return brings judgment for the wicked. He is carrying out HIS plan of salvation throughout history. We're merely to keep watch over our faith in Him as we watch for his coming. We are to hold firmly to this word of life; then, on the day of Christ’s return, our faith will be revealed to have not been in vain. (Philippians 2:16)
When we are in Christ our citizenship is already in heaven "For it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose." (Philippians 2:13)
If you've made it this far, you're probably asking, "How are we to be acting then"?
Jesus answered that question by saying, “Stay dressed for action and keep your lamps burning" (Luke 12:35)
I recommend you take some time and really study that parable about being watchful and the lamps in Luke 12:35-48. Being watchful and keeping your lamp lighted in that parable is described as doing the work of the master while he is away, looking always in anticipation, to that day of his return. It's him perfecting you so that you can confidently share your salvation story.
What is the master's work we're to be doing?
Jesus answered that saying, "Go into all the world and preach the Good News to everyone (make disciples of all), baptizing them in the name of The Father, Son, and The Holy Spirit." (Mark 16:15-20, Matthew 28:19-20)
That's our spiritual work. It begins with repentance, believing, baptism, and works out in our maintaining our faith in Christ's work within us (The Holy Spirit).
Folks, I could go on forever until Christ returns pointing out this assurance (not assumption) of salvation "in Christ". But ultimately you've got to live it yourself. And that's intentional, because Christ wants it that way. It's his way. His way of salvation for the whole world. Because we all need to find our salvation story. So that we can then share that story and fulfill his commission. No one can do that for you. And no cheap grace easy believism is going to help you receive the Holy Spirit. You must repent (turn away from your sin and towards God) and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ. You must empty yourself of yourself if your hope is to be filled by The Holy Spirit. That is the cost of discovering salvation in Christ.
I hope you'll believe and be saved.
I'm praying for you now.
Open the door, receive him, and never let go.