Salvation

Salvation has at least four definitions in the Bible.  Four definitions for the same word which makes interpretation a tricky situation.  When you come across the word salvation or saved you have to chose a definition to give meaning to the verse.  If you use the same one for every appearance of the word you will get some pretty varying theology in the same Christian family.  Thankfully looking at the proper context and authors intentions in each passage we can identify the correct definition almost every time.  Most of them become obvious when you have the right "word bank" to use.

So what are the definitions?(click on 'MORE' then 'full screen' if you have problems reading it.  Auto play runs to fast to read, I suggest manual right clicks :) )



Now for some examples for each type...

Psalm 18:2
2 The LORD is my rock, my fortress and my deliverer; my God is my rock, in whom I take refuge. He is my shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.(This is physically deliverance)

Romans 10:9
9 That if you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is LORD," and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.  (This is being freed from the penalty of sin)

Romans 7:24-25
7 What a wretch man I am!  Who will save me from this body of death? 8 Thanks be to God-through Jesus Christ our Lord!   (The chapters leading up to this verse are about struggling with sin, so this 'salvation' is being saved from the power of sin daily)

Romans 10:13 

13 for, 'Everyone who calls upon the name of the LORD shall be saved. (This verse quotes Joel 2:32 with the authors intent being the future day of the Lord.  So this salvation is speaking of being saved from the presence of sin.)

With this being the case I can honesty say that I am saved, am being saved, and am not yet saved.  Confusing enough?  Welcome to the world of soteriology, the study of salvation.  

It is my belief that a person who truly trusts in Christ for justification will follow the Spirit in some capacity through sanctification on their way to future glorification.  It will not look the same for any two people.  There are different appearances of holiness and righteousness and there are different levels of sin and rebellion in our lives.  But make no mistake, during our time of sanctification we are all rebelling against God daily and need His power to help us overcome sins power.

My final word of the day is this...physical salvation will come and go in this life but will be completed in the next.  So if you want physical salvation you want salvation from the presence of sin.  To get that salvation in your future you need only to be saved from the penalty of sin by trusting in Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord.  You will have hope and mercy and grace in your life, but you will not live victoriously without being saved from the power of sin in your life you are living now.  This kind of salvation does nothing to secure your last because some of our work is involved.  Ever hear 'work out your salvation with fear and trembling?' You cannot earn the grace of the other salvation's, no works involved.  But work is involved in surrendering to God's will in your life today in being saved from sins power.  It is in this battlefield that heavenly rewards are earned and lost.

So is Jesus saving you from sin today?  Let Him do it.

Looking for the groom...