In order to understand WHY we need SAVING, we need to know what it is we need saving from.
Thus the importance of the gospel, for if we don't know what it is we need saving from, it will make no sense why Jesus had to die (in order for us to saved), or why Him being resurrected was so crucial to our salvation? This post is just a short summary of why we need saving and we'll look at a few scriptures, but in the next few posts we'll add more. (Jas 4:12ab - "There is one lawgiver, who is able to SAVE and to destroy...").
WHAT IS IT WE NEED SAVING FROM?:
- enemy?
- slavery?
- sickness?
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In order to share in the benefits of those being saved we must understand:
(1) what it is we need saving from (enemy?,slavery?, etc.),
(2) how we can be saved, and
(3) meet the obligations given in order to get saved.
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SUMMARY:
The word "salvation" is the Greek word "so-tay-ree'-ah", which refer to "rescue or safety" - the word has the following meanings: (deliver, health, salvation, save, saving). For many ages it was prophesied that God will send His son to bring SALVATION... - but what exactly is it we need saving / delivarance / healing from?
Let's try to determine the meaning from some scriptures (where this word "salvation" was used), in order to understand better WHY WE NEED SALVATION:
- 1 Thess. 5:8-10 - WE ARE DESTINED FOR WRATH AND THEREFORE NEED SAVING FROM GOD'S WRATH (in some scriptures it's clear that this "wrath" refers to the "judgment of hell" or "SECOND DEATH"). In other words we need saving from "second death" (God's wrath)(Rev. 20:14; 21:8; Jas 4:12; Matt. 10:28; Rev. 20:6).
- 1 Cor. 15:26 - WE ALL DIE - DEATH IS OUR ENEMY (outward man dies / giving up the gost; plus inward destined for second death...). "Death" can be seen as an enemy for men, but we have this enemy because of "God's wrath"... - sin brings distruction (Gen. 2:17; 3:3).
- 1 Pet. 1:9 - WE NEED SALVATION OF THE SOUL (not just the body/outward need saving/ressurection, but also the soul/inner man needs saving...; thus, we need saving from second death - in this scripture salvation of the soul is referred to as the end goal of our faith - saving from death)(Jam. 5:20; 1 Pet. 1:9; 3:21; Hebr. 10:22).
- 1 Pet. 1:10 - WE NEED GRACE (the prophets have enquired and searched diligently, who prophesied of the grace that should come). We cannot save ourselves from death, and are born in sin (Ps. 51:5) and are not able te free ourselves...
- Acts 10:43 - WE NEED DELIVERANCE / FORGIVENESS / REMISSION OF SINS (they long waited for "the One who is to come" who would give them remission of sins...). Since those under the "first testament" needed redemption for "transgressions under the first testament", a new testament was needed and came into effect at the death of the Testator (at the death of the One promised). But this new testament is also not only meant for a specific bloodline... ! (refer to "gospel of peace" - all nations)(Hebr. 10:18-20). In order to be saved (and enter His kingdom), men needs deliverance / forgiveness of sins (2 Tim. 4:18).
- Hebr. 9:13; 10:22 - OUR BODIES NEED SALVATION. Man is both "outward man" (body) and "inner man" (soul); thus need cleansing of the body as well as cleansing of the conscience... Because both outward and inner man are defiled (and eventually die!), we need cleansing in order to be saved from death (1 - the saving of the body refers to the resurrection)(2 - the saving of the soul refers to those resurrected to life - they have the promise that they will not go through second death).
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Conclusion:
From these few scriptures we learned that it is not just our bodies that die (because of sin), but also our souls will die... - both body and soul will die in second death if we don't get saved (1 Pet. 1:9; Hebr. 10:22). In that sense death is like our ENEMY (1 Kor. 15:26,55; Isa. 25:8) and we need deliverance from the grave and redemption from DEATH... (Hos. 13:14)(2 Tim. 1:10; Hebr. 2:14 - the devil had power of death, but the Redeemer Jesus Christ became flesh and blood in order to destroy death and has now the power over death...).
The second death is also seen as "God's wrath" (1 Thess. 5:8-10)(and those going through it will not be able to inherit eternal life or inherit the earth). All "natural men" (those born from Adam's seed) are therefore destined for God's wrath (the judgment of hell / second death) because of their sinful state (in which they were born). In order to be under God's grace (favour)(so we don't fall under His wrath), we need salvation from SIN / need salvation from this SLAVERY into which we were born - men need deliverance / forgiveness / remission of sins - in other words, the only way "natural men" can be freed from this slavery under sin, is to be redeemed from it! (for example, somebody must pay the price for you so that you can be set free!).
The natural man's body and soul are destined for judgment because he bears fruit for death... (Rom. 7:4)(born of Adam's seed, born in sin, will die...); but "spiritual men" who are saved are as newborn, "born from God's seed" (born of God / born-again) and are therefore able to bear fruit to life (will reap eternal life). Born-again people are not SLAVES to sin anymore but were bought by Jesus Christ; and though they are now free from the slavery (of sin) they were born into, they were in fact bought by Christ and thus now belong to Him (because He bought them) - they serve now Jesus Christ (are slaves for Him...)(1 Cor. 7:22). In that sense SALVATION (to be saved / to be under the Lord's grace) is in fact about WHO it is we SERVE and OBEY (see therefore the importance of repentance upon receiving salvation...).
There is salvation in the Lord Jesus Christ!
- deliverance from the GRAVE (those who believe in Jesus will be resurrected by Him)(He has power over death);
- redemption from DEATH (those who belong to Jesus and hold fast, will be resurrected to life and will not go through the SECOND DEATH - they will not fall under God's wrath);
- freedom from slavery of SIN (those who serve Jesus are under His grace/in His favor - they become part of His children, part of His kingdom, they are the elected who will inherit the earth)(He washes their sins away en give them the Holy Spirit... - they are able to bear fruit unto eternal life - will live forever).
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For bible study on this theme on the home blog, please go to:
("and translate").
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