24. Salvation

.... What exactly is salvation? Webster’s defines it as ‘a spiritual rescue from sin and death,’ and this describes its purpose accurately enough (Matt 1:21). We know what we are saved from, but what is salvation itself? An action? A decision? A reckoning, a property, or an empowerment? With respect to Webster’s, how would the Bible define salvation?

. .... In Luke chapter 2, Simeon looked on the Baby Jesus, took Him up in his arms and spoke of Him, saying:

.... " . . . for my eyes have seen Your salvation, which you have prepared before the face of all people . . ."

(Luke 2:30-31)

.... Simply put, Jesus Christ is the salvation of God. For Isaiah writes of Him: ". . . that You should be My salvation to the ends of the earth.' (Isaiah 49:6). David adds, in the Psalms: "I will praise you, for you have answered me, and have become my salvation. The stone which the builders rejected has become the chief cornerstone . . . ' (Psalm 118:21-22).

. .... Essentially then, since Jesus Christ is the salvation of God, our state of salvation directly depends on our unity with Christ by abiding in Him (Christ within us is the essence of our salvation). Through this abiding we are saved from both sin and death, all made possible through His own death, burial, and resurrection, into which we have been joined through faith in the gospel of Christ, and represented in our baptism.

. .... Here is a specific point to be made now, for the sake of clarity. When the sinner becomes a believer and trusts in Christ, he receives the adoption as sons by Jesus Christ unto God (Predestination Phase 2 completed). He is joined with Christ, the Elect One of God (Isaiah 42:1); and because he now abides in Christ, he is chosen in Him. This chronology agrees with Ephesians chapter 1:

.... ‘ . . . just as He chose us in Him . . . having predestined us to adoption as sons by Jesus Christ to Himself . . .’

(Eph 1:4-5)

.... Predestination, adoption by Christ, and election in Christ is the proper chronology.

To continue to Part 25, "Salvation as a Progression." click here.