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What is
Salvation?
The word Salvation connotes
a wide variety of ideas, from behavioral alterations to the
recital of a list of teachings until committed to memory,
or the exercise of some ritual. It can be expressed in the
belief that acceptance of certain verses of Scripture in a
particular sequence brings Salvation, often referred to as
The plan of Salvation. Some
would advocate that Salvation comes through adherence to a
particular code or an identity with a certain religious order
or sect. Still others would subscribe to just doing the best
one can do in this life. Some teach that good works bring
Salvation.
The list is endless, but we desire not to
dwell on what Salvation is not, rather on what
Salvation really is.
We could indeed refer to this presentation as
The Plan of Salvation, but while many of us understand
what the use of those words actually reflect, for better
understanding apart from misconceptions arising by the use of
the word plan, I prefer to
use the word Salvation only.
The word plan suggests some system or prescribed action
to be undertaken. While Salvation does involve a
process, it is never the process which saves.
To illustrate this dynamic principle, a family
taking a trip from New York to California with a notion of
visiting relatives whom they have not seen in years does
indeed take the trip. The trip is necessary, but their goal is
not the trip. The goal is the destination where those
relatives dwell. That destination will make interaction
with those relatives possible.
In like manner, the process in
Salvation itself does not bring Salvation. The
focus must not be so much upon the process as upon the
Person. Salvation does not
come through anything we do. Salvation comes only
through God’s grace and is received through faith.
Therefore, genuine Salvation involves a real
personal relationship with God.
Yet, as we focus on the Person Who died on the
Cross, our awareness expands. We begin to see ourselves as we
truly are. In the brightness of the Cross every stain and
blemish becomes black, slimy filth, just as it really is
before a pure, righteous God! We see ourselves as
inexcusable, without any means of justification within
ourselves (Romans 3:23). We deserve death, judgment and hell
(Romans 6:23). But Christ became our death, judgment and hell
(Romans 5:6-10).
Yet, unless we die to self, we can
not receive the new life in Jesus. We must be born again (John
3:1-21). To be born of the water and of the Spirit (John 3:5)
means that we come under judgment. We die to self (water
signifies judgment and death) and the Spirit signifies new
life, a new birth, just as the Children of Israel
became a new nation once passing through the judging waters of
the Red Sea. Those waters closed over the pursuing
Egyptians, thus severing the bondage and setting the Children
of Israel free! As we accept what Christ did, we die to
self; that is, we become totally sold out to Christ. The
word Spirit signifies genuine life, a transformed life.
No longer are we the old person we once were. As with the
Israelites, the bondage of sin becomes severed. Behold,
all things become new to us (2 Corinthians 5:17). Our desires
become new and all things fit together in a different, new
light. God walks with us (Romans, the 8th chapter)
and the presence of His Spirit renews our minds, such that we
become spiritually minded.
Once we are Christ’s we identify
with the things of God and we love to be in fellowship
with God’s people (John 3:14).
After Salvation, we naturally would
have a desire to join the church and become involved in
outreach, that we may share Christ in testimony and minister
to others in need. We also naturally have a
spiritual desire to be discipled and to disciple.
If you understand the need for
Salvation, may we suggest that you study this presentation
along with the references to God’s Word, the Holy Bible, and
seek counsel with a Christian who can help you come to know
Christ as your own personal Savior, should you need additional
information or explanation. If you have no Christian
friend or acquaintance who can help you and pray with you, you
may indeed find a nearby church with those anxious to assist
you.
Also, feel free to contact us.
For those who seek to deal with nagging doubts
and problems with respect to God, Salvation or Moral and Spiritual Questions, we
recommend a couple of books written by a former atheist:
Lee Strobel’s, The Case for Christ and his second book,
The
Case for Faith. He now has a
third book which can be helpful, The Case for
Creation.
You may receive
additional insights by clicking here: House of
Aristocracy and Daring
Journey
....................................
ATTENTION
URGENT
NOTICE
GUESTBOOK
DISCONTINUATION
With deep regret we find
ourselves with no other choice than to discontinue our
guestbook service. While we do indeed value every
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and good, they do not represent our purposes for the existence
of our website. Please bear with us in this hard
decision. Even though a few make correct use of the
guestbook and we appreciate all relevent and useful comments,
we have no other choice in this
matter.
However, may we suggest that you
make use of the e-mail to
replace the guestbook to correspond with
us?
Click to go back to top of
page.
Thank you for visiting our website.
Our aim is to serve the needs of those who
search together with us to explore with a desire to
uncover a greater expanse of truth than we can
ordinarily be aware of. Of course, we make no claims
with respect to cornering the truth, for no person can embrace
total truth any more than the lowly ant can reach the sun
and thoroughly explore the entire burning, exploding
surface. Truth will forever remain greater than the
sum total of all populations of earth, past, present and
future!
Notwithstanding, we move in a direction, ever
growing, ever enamored and learning, ever expanding our
horizons and encountering the reality enlightening the
human soul. Such a journey attests to much more
than mere observations, more than meditations, more than
speculations, more than just an adventure. Certainly,
these elements may well be a reflection of the journey in
part, but ultimately, we shall discover that Reality can
be no less than God Himself! We believe that all of
us can come to the dynamic conclusion that in Him all things
consist (are held together with His meaning and purpose).
--Colossians
1:16-17
But we always invite the participation of each
one who visits these pages. You can add much to the
direction and nature of our exploration by bringing your own
thoughts, suggestions, criticism and
questions. You
may wish to send an e-mail.
We do take seriously every person's comments and we are open
to all additional light that may be given such that we can
continuously grow ourselves and seek to improve these pages
significantly.
Again, thank
you, and we trust that you will both explore with us and
contribute to the journey through your
comments.
Click to go back to top of
page.
DARING
JOURNEY
Mr. Christian would not
compromise—not in the least. But that fact did not
mean that he failed to express sensitivity and
understanding.
His strength in conversation always grew from his
respect and care cultivated through a true touch of listening
and encouraging open discussion on any legitimate issue the
other person cared to pursue with him. Perhaps this warmth
along with his unassuming personality proved enough to disarm
most contacts.
And that turned out to be the case with Joe when Mr.
Christian met him as he strolled in the park one
day.
Mr.
Christian:
Hello,
I see you're sitting there in the shade on this very hot
day. If I’m not
intruding, may I rest with you a
minute?
Joe: It’s a
public park. I
don’t own this bench.
Mr.
Christian:
(chuckling
warmly) Oh, I know, but I’ll respect your wishes if you had
rather be left alone.
Joe: Oh, of
course not.
You’re welcome to join me if you wish. I mean, I guess it’s a
nice change of pace to have someone interested in joining me
since most people ignore one another in a public
park—especially in a big city like
this.
Mr.
Christian:
Hi! My name is
Christian—Joe Christian.
Joe: (extending
his hand) Well, what do you know; I’m Joe, too. Joe
Mason.
Mr.
Christian:
(warmly
shaking Joe’s hand) Good to meet you, Joe. You can’t keep from
being a good Joe with a name like that, the same as
mine.
Joe: You
know, you must be new around
here.
Mr.
Christian:
You’re
very observant, Joe.
Joe: Excuse
me, but I think that would be obvious to most people around
here.
Mr.
Christian:
Oh?
Joe: No
offense, but strangers leave other people alone here in the
big city. You
rarely see two people speaking to each other unless they’re
family or previously acquainted or they're just plain con
guys, but they go for obvious new comers to this area. Then, your accent
isn’t… Well, your grammar’s OK, but you just aren’t from this
area, are you?
Mr.
Christian:
You’re
right. I’m really
from the South—Georgia, to be
exact.
Joe: Not
surprising. But
that’s to your credit.
Years ago my wife and I drove through
Georgia on our
way to Florida. Some of the nicest
people I’ve ever met were from that
state.
Mr.
Christian:
Stop me
if I’m prying too much, but how’d your wife feel about
Georgia?
Joe: Funny
that you would ask.
My wife was born in
Georgia. When she was
only eight years old, her family moved to
Florida, but
what memories she had of
Georgia were
fond memories. Anyway, when we both
went through Georgia
together, we were attending the funeral of her mother in
Florida. Since her father
passed away when she was only ten years of age, her mother was
the last living relative—and a very sad time for my dear
wife. She and her mother
were very close and it had been over a year since she had seen
her mother. She felt very guilty when she learned that
her mother had passed away. Yeah, Sarah never
recovered from her mother’s passing. I think that’s what
led to her stroke a couple of years ago. She wasn’t around long
after the stroke.
Mr.
Christian:
I don’t
want to sound insensitive, but do you have the peace of
knowing she is now with the Lord?
Joe: Oh, I personally don’t
put too much stock in that, but she and I didn’t see eye to
eye on belief in God.
She claimed to have some sort of experience after we
married—and she attended and joined a church. If there’s a God, I
suppose you could say she’s in heaven, but, really, I just
don’t buy into that.
Maybe there could be something there, but then I’m not
convinced. I
mean, if there is a God, then why all the trouble, suffering
and even death in our world? It just doesn’t make
sense to me.
Mr.
Christian:
You
really miss your wife, don’t you? I sense the underlying
sadness as you speak of her. You must have had a
great struggle to accept her
departure.
Joe: (his
head dropping and his eyes glaring at the ground) She was all
I had—no children, nobody else with me—nothing, man,
nothing (a tear dropped
to the ground).
Mr.
Christian:
I
didn’t know your dear wife, but even so, I’m touched by your
grief. I know it
may seem difficult for you to understand, Joe, but I do
care. I really
do.
Joe: You’re
a nice man, Joe.
It’s good of you to try to understand. I appreciate that, but
no one could really know what it’s like for me.
Mr.
Christian:
You’re
absolutely right, Joe.
I don’t dare say that I can really know all you’ve gone
through with, but I do have a common ground to share in your
grief in a small measure. You see, about a month
ago I also lost my wife in an automobile accident. An intoxicated driver
slammed into her car head on.
Joe: Oh,
no! How shocking,
and here I have…
Mr.
Christian:
It’s
all right, Joe. I
am just identifying with you, and I want you to know that my
grief for you is
real.
Joe: But you
seem stronger than I.
I know you must be in an awful lot of pain yourself,
and here you are trying to comfort
me.
Mr.
Christian:
Oh, I
assure you that I loved and still do love and miss my sweet
Mildred very much, even though she is now with the Lord. That reality comforts
me. That’s part of the reason that I am now here
in New
York City.
Joe: Forgive
me, Joe, but I just can’t understand why you would be here so
soon after that tragedy.
Mr.
Christian:
Well,
it’s kind of a long story, Joe. You see, my dear wife
and I had decided to come here
to New
York together
before that accident.
We committed ourselves through our church to come with
a group to serve in mission work through a struggling church
in New
York. I’m merely keeping my
commitment to the Lord.
Joe: I must
admit that I cannot understand, but I do admire your
integrity, Joe.
Mr.
Christian:
I
really appreciate your willingness to share with me, my
friend. But I’m
also wondering something?
Joe: I’m
afraid that I have been too wrapped up in my own
problems. Yes, I
do want to hear what you have to
say.
Mr.
Christian:
I’m
wondering how you view the future. Where do you go from
here?
Joe: You
know, I’m retired, no job, no friends to speak of, no plans—I
guess you’d say that I’m really just living minute to minute,
not knowing nor caring what the future holds. I’m just merely
existing. Or
maybe, I’m just locked in the past, living in the misery of my
tragedy. I really
don’t know nor care all that much.
Mr.
Christian:
If I’m
not too nosy, how old are you,
Joe?
Joe: If I’m
around this coming Wednesday, I’ll turn
eighty-two.
Mr.
Christian:
Happy
birthday!
Joe: Thanks,
but it’ll be just another day tomorrow. No one to spend it
with, you know.
And at my age, I’ll do well just to be able to
rest. Really, not
that I don’t have loads and loads of time to do nothing but
rest—only… well,
I just wish I could rest when I’m doing
nothing.
Mr.
Christian:
Tell
me, how’s your health in general,
Joe?
Joe: Well,
you know, I’m no spring chicken. A little slow getting
up and a bit wobbly, slow and uncertain on my feet, but I
manage… Yeah, I
manage. Funny,
though. I don’t
think of that too much.
I just keep plugging away, just like it don’t really
make any difference anyway. Yeah, since Sarah left
me, it’s… it’s just kind of like a constant fog over me. I don’t really know
where I’m going—nor do I care. Not really. Maybe I’m like on a
train that goes on and on forever, just going nowhere.
Mr.
Christian:
So,
physically, you’re struggling, but making it, but your outlook
as a whole is dismal.
Right?
Joe: Well,
yeah… You might say so.
Mr.
Christian:
Joe,
what do you think could start changing things around for
you?
Joe: Well,
I’m not in need of money and I don’t put much stock in wealth
anyway. I’ve been
there and it leaves me high and dry. I’ve been married and
spent some good years with Sarah, but that was something of an
illusion, too. It
just all disappeared like some mirage on this desert of
life.
Mr.
Christian:
So,
you’re more or less imprisoned in circumstances which control
your outlook.
Have you ever considered what it would take to put you
in control of your own outlook, to break you free from the
dismal world you see all around
you?
Joe: Control? How I wish I could be
in control. If I
could have been in control, I would have never let my sweet
wife take her flight from my
life!
Mr.
Christian:
I am not going to say
this in an effort to place you on a guilt trip, but have you
considered that, while
you cannot be in control of your circumstances or what happens to you,
it is possible to assume control of the way in which you
respond to them and in some measure control your perspective
regarding circumstances?
Joe: I don’t
understand. No
matter how I respond, the events and circumstances would not change. And
my perspective is shaped by them.
Mr.
Christian:
You’re
absolutely right, but you could be
changed!
Joe: How
would my changing make any difference in my state or any
difference in what happens to me?
Mr.
Christian:
For one
thing, our meeting here together in this park has already in
some measure altered the course of your life by our
interaction with each other. This has taken the turn of
a daring journey in our lives.
Joe: How
so?
Mr.
Christian:
I would
definitely say to you that I
have found a new friend, and I would hope that you have
found in me at least someone you can relate to, someone who
expresses interest in you and who cares what happens to
you.
Joe: I do appreciate your
efforts, but as far as any real progress goes, I’m afraid I am
just a hopeless case.
You’re very kind and… Well, I’m just not
considering any friendship because of the risk and… Oh, I guess I am
trying to say if I have no real relationships, I won’t be let
down by any unforeseen loss.
Mr.
Christian:
I
perfectly understand, but could you allow me just one
pleasure?
Joe: I
suppose it will be the least I could do to show you my
gratitude.
Mr.
Christian:
How
about my wishing you a very happy birthday tomorrow by
inviting you out to lunch with me?
Joe: I… I…
uh… appreciate it, but…
Mr.
Christian:
I
certainly don’t wish to pressure you just for the sake of my
pleasure.
Joe: Oh,
no. It’s not
that, I’m just a little worry of cultivating close
relationships—not because of you, but because of me. I just can’t trust
myself. I mean, I
don’t want to be vulnerable to another fall… to losing all
over again.
Mr.
Christian:
Of
course, you’re just being honest and I do understand, but I
seek gently to encourage you, and I promise to place you under
absolutely no pressure.
After all, I’m asking you to pamper a young man and
make him feel that he is helping you enjoy your
birthday.
Joe: I guess
I’ll stick my neck out—just to show appreciation to you, mind
you.
Mr.
Christian:
Now, a
stranger who's been here less than a week wouldn’t know the
area well enough to pick a good place to have lunch. What would you
recommend?
Joe: In that
I’m an expert.
See that yellow post over there on the
corner?
Mr.
Christian:
You
mean the one just beyond that bin near the park
entrance?
Joe: That’s
right. Well, turn
to the right at the corner and the second door down is Ed’s,
only for all us who eat there, we call it Chamber of
Horror. Don’t ask
me how that name came about. It could be because
it’s a dull, run-down, dimly-lit hole-in-the-wall sort of
place. But it’s
clean and the food is out of this world. You’ll love it, but
you won’t pay an arm and a leg for it,
either.
Mr.
Christian:
Sounds
ideal to me. What
time?
Joe: Oh, if
you’ll meet me there, say, around 1:30, I
think we can try out the joint. By that time the place
will be less crowded.
Mr.
Christian:
Good
deal, Joe. See
you then.
The two newly acquainted men slowly
moved apart, each headed in opposite directions, each
obviously pondering the turn of
events.
The
next day around 1:20 in the
afternoon, Mr. Christian found himself seated at a dingy
little booth looking nervously through a newspaper as he
waited. After
awhile he glanced at his watch again. It was exactly
1:32, but
he smiled as though to dismiss the thought of any problem and
went immediately back to his newspaper. After finishing the
newspaper, he glanced once more at his watch and an uneasy
voice whispered, “1:44!”
Momentarily, he stood to his feet
and stepped toward the door, his eyes keenly fixed at the
entrance. Then
his countenance brightened as the doorway darkened with the
figure of a man hobbling through.
Joe: I apologize, Joe. Really,
I…
Mr.
Christian:
No need to make an issue over it, my
friend. You’re in
the neighborhood of the
time.
Joe: But…
Mr.
Christian:
Come on.
Let’s be seated and order. You look
pale.
Joe: Please, Mr. Christian, what I’m trying to say is
that I pride myself on punctuality, but I had a mishap this
morning as I was preparing to
leave.
Mr.
Christian:
Oh, an accident? Are you seriously
injured? I’ll get
you to the hospital!
Joe: No, I’ll be all right. Honestly. I just conked out for
awhile as I was trying to dress. I sometimes have these
blackouts, but I am on
medication.
Mr.
Christian:
Your heart?
Joe: Honestly, I’ll be OK. I took my medication
before I left.
Mr.
Christian:
Are you
sure?
Joe: Quite so.
Now, if you don’t mind, let’s go ahead and place our
orders before I really pass out from
hunger.
The two men finally placed their
orders.
Momentarily, they casually began to eat. Growing interest,
curiosity and an obvious warm sense of truly caring for each
other caused them to ramble through various fact gathering
details about each other’s background and experiences, Mr.
Christian enthusiastically doing much of the probing.
Some things, however, appeared to
be especially difficult or somewhat awkward for Joe to
divulge. While he
had little difficulty relating his former occupational
details, his stammering revealed some reticence to dwell on
personal matters that would tend to be boastful achievements
for many people.
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