Beginning with ourselves, we can join God in making all kinds of "deserts" bloom with life and beauty. This is what salvation means. It does not begin and end with ourselves. We are being transformed in Christ for the sake of others and the world. To see salvation as simply going to heaven when we die is shortsighted. We must learn to embrace the full scope of the saving grace of God through faith in Jesus Christ. Only then can we participate with joy in God's redemptive work in our lives, in others, as well as for the rest of creation.
Jesus came to completely save mankind and the rest of all creation. The apostle Paul says in Ephesians 1:7-10, "[7] In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God’s grace [8] that he lavished on us. With all wisdom and understanding, [9] he made known to us the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure, which he purposed in Christ, [10] to be put into effect when the times reach their fulfillment—to bring unity to all things in heaven and on earth under Christ."
Now, of course, not everyone believes this and so therefore not everyone will be saved. But for those who put their trust in Jesus Christ as their Savior and Lord, this is what is going to happen. We will participate in this glorious redemptive work of Christ and it will culminate in a new creation -- a new heaven and new earth -- where the kingdom of God will reign forever more.
It all begins with our reconciliation with God through the sacrifice of Christ on the cross. Through His death, all our sins are paid for once and for all. Now, this spiritual blessing is not just available at the beginning of our life in Christ. It's an ongoing privilege that we can avail of everyday through confession and repentance. The apostle John says in 1 John 1:8-10, "[8] If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. [9] If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. [10] If we claim we have not sinned, we make him out to be a liar and his word is not in us."
So, each and everyday we can come to God in prayer and confess our sins, whenever we become aware of them, and we can be confident that we can receive forgiveness from God because of Jesus Christ our Lord who died for our sins. This is also the reason why we must and we can forgive others if they sin against us. To not forgive is tantamount to rejecting the Gospel of grace that we have received and continue to receive through Christ.
In addition, we are given by grace a new identity in Christ, which gives us confidence before God. It allows us to draw near to God in worship with sincere hearts because we know we have been purified in Him, made holy and blameless in His sight, because of our union with Christ. This identity is a gift from God; it is not something that we accomplish on our own. We become children of God by grace through faith, and that is our true identity. This is the basis of our existence now in the world. We have been raised up with Christ and our life is now hidden in Him. Although we live in the world, we are not of the world anymore.
This is what the apostle Paul says in Ephesians 2:4-9, "[4] But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, [5] made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved. [6] And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, [7] in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus. [8] For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— [9] not by works, so that no one can boast."
It is from this perspective that we can now participate in the ongoing work of redemption and transformation that the Lord wants to accomplish in our lives. Because we are in Christ, He wants to transform us so that who we are in Him will become more and more a reality in our experience. As we become more like Christ, His life will shine in our lives. This happens in the context of community, i.e., the body of Christ, wherein by God's grace we are being transformed through life-giving relationships. Although it is by grace alone, it is not without our participation and cooperation. The process of relating with one another in love will always be challenging. But it is only in that context that we can be transformed.
Once again, this is what the apostle Paul teaches in Ephesians 4:15-16, "[15] Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ. [16] From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work." This coincides with what he says in Philippians 2:12-13, "[12] Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed—not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence—continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, [13] for it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose."
Now, as we are being transformed in Christ, God wants us serve others also. He wants to reveal to us our purpose and vocation so that we can become His ambassadors in the world. He gives us all kinds of spiritual gifts and a situation in life where we can use such gifts for His glory. Paul says in Ephesians 2:10, "[10] For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do." Again he says in 2 Corinthians 5:20, "[20] We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God." The apostle Peter also reminds us in 1 Peter 4:10-11, "[10] Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God’s grace in its various forms. [11] If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God. If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and ever. Amen."
As we fulfill our calling or vocation in the world, there will be trials and tests along the way. The Lord calls us to press on and not give up, for our future salvation still awaits. He wants us to persevere and to endure all kinds of sufferings for His name's sake. This is still part of our salvation, as the apostle Peter says in 1 Peter 1:3-9, "[3] Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, [4] and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade. This inheritance is kept in heaven for you, [5] who through faith are shielded by God’s power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time. [6] In all this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. [7] These have come so that the proven genuineness of your faith—of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire—may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed. [8] Though you have not seen him, you love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, [9] for you are receiving the end result of your faith, the salvation of your souls."
So the full scope of our salvation is not just about going to heaven. There is more to it than that. We are not even saved just for ourselves. We are saved, are being saved, and will be saved for the sake of others also, and for the sake of all creation. What a glorious salvation that God has given us in Christ! This is the Gospel or the Good News of God for all of us. Let us understand it well and proclaim it by our words and actions starting today. To learn more on how you can participate in this salvation, join Real Life Christian Communities. Visit https://join.rlcc.ph/.