A study on Salvation

In the fast paced, world today it seems like church has just become one more "appointment" to be kept during the week. On our last trip home from Texas we saw a banner advertising '30 MINUTE SERVICES' stretched across the office building of a skyscraper. We laughed and almost went back to take a picture, had we not been in traffic.

It also seems that more and more churches are geared towards getting bodies in the pew rather than enabling followers to further the Kingdom while on earth. Services are more about entertaining than what we are truly meant to do in worship.

It's easy to perceive that there are preachers who measure success by the number of members "dunked" and re-clothed in white robes. I get a funny picture in my head of an amusement ride with people getting on, the conductor clicking in each person one by one, as he sets the dial in his hand. They go in dressed in brown, then come out of the ride in white shirts with shiny faces. Now comes the part I find most interesting. As people exit the rides they don't have a clear direction to go and stand around confused and looking for anyone to latch onto.

It's easy to get stuck just on 'believe and repent' that we are only getting one third of what salvation is. We are starting in the middle rather than the beginning and by only having someone confess, baptized and then left to their own, we miss the bigger picture of salvation.

Just as in this past Sunday's sermon: God's kingdom is exclusive (not all will enter), inclusive (many are going to be saved), and inevitable (God finishes what He starts).

In our family we've been studying salvation. We used a wonderful tool, The Chain of Salvation.

Election- God predestines who He will call to His kingdom. We don't know who that will be; we are called to share the gospel with any and everyone. Rom 8:29-30; John 6:44; Eph 1:11; Gal 1:15

The Fall- Adam and Eve's sin in the garden. Our sin separates us from God. Eph 2:15; Rom 3:23

Gospel Call- God softens our heart, gives us ears to hear and eyes to see His word. John 3:16; Matt 13:16-18; Is 6:9-10

Regeneration- We become a new creation through Christ. It is only by giving your sin to Jesus and His sacrifice is our relationship renewed and we are united with our Father. 2 Cor 6:21; Titus 3:4-7

Faith- this is what we are to believe concerning God in your new identity as written in His word. Rom 3:21-5:5; John 20:30-31; Eph 2:8-9

Repentance- you must turn away from your old habits, ways and self to live a new life for Him. You were once dead in your sin and now have been healed and made new by grace through faith in Christ. Eph 4:23-24; 1 John 1:9

Justification- God's promise and act of permanently putting right your previously estranged relationship. Rom 5:1-5; Rom 8:30; Eph 2:8-9

Adoption- now that our relationship has been restored with our Father, we are heirs to His promises, adopted into His family and a child of God. John 1:12; Gal 4:4-7

Sanctification- continually striving to be holy and Christ-like. This is a process completed only when Christ returns. John 8:31-32; Rom 8:29; Rom 6:22; Eph 4:22-24; Heb 6:9-20; Rom 8:38-39; John 10:29

Glorification- when Christ returns we will be made perfect Phill 4:31; Matt 5:8

In studying the chain of Salvation in its entirety I was able to renew my vigor for serving my Father and share His love and mercy with all who read this. This is the first of many hours of studying.