By David McKellip
In this life, Salvation is in part and not in the whole. What I mean by that… Salvation, as I understand it, is a process and not a place of arriving. Jesus’ grace is sufficient for anyone to bring salvation. But the process doesn’t necessarily always happen all at once. In fact it may take a lifetime.
I used to tell my kids “Grow up!” Salvation is a growing up process, a maturing of the spirit and soul. We grow in the likeness of Jesus. We become more like Him.
Sin is a terrible part of our world today. It is much a part of peoples lives. The Bible says, “If some say that they are not a sinner, they lie and the truth is not in them. All sin, and all fall short of the glory of God.”
However the Scripture also says that Jesus was without sin. This pureness and completeness that Jesus was, made Him the Perfect Man; Man without sin. He chose to became the perfect Sacrifice for all.
He is the Son of God… and even more, He is God. He said to one of his disciples.. “You have seen me, you have seen the Father… the Father and I are one.”
So what does it mean to be saved of sin? Many believe that because of Jesus’ death on the cross that we are saved from the punishment of sin. It is true, He took on our punishment, therefore we do not go to hell. But there is even more. We can live life abundantly.
The fact is, because of Christ Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection, we can be cured from sin. We can be freed from sin.
There are people who seem to enjoy sinful living. People who want to live a sinful life have the illness that brings death. It is like an addiction. It’s enjoyed for a time, I suppose, but the truth is, sin gets a hold of a person and there is a time it is NOT fun. Remember sin not only brings judgment but it brings death. When a person is truly caught up in sin they lose sight about what a person (a man or woman) really is.
But there is a cure for sin. When Jesus changes out hearts we move away from sin. But understand it is a process. Growing to maturity in Christ is a process. We learn abundant life lessons. We do not have to live in sin when we grow up in Christ.
I believe that sin does not just bring the punishment of hell. Sin brings death. The Good News is that Christ Jesus’ sacrifice is sufficient to not only save us from our sins but to bring a transformation from sinning.
Adam and Eve ate the fruit and their sin not only cost them the life in the garden, it cost them life. It separated them from God in relationship. Selfishness, bitterness, anger, strife, all crime, divorce, the list goes on and on. Sin brings about so much heartache, pain and destruction. War is sin, a lot of illness is because of sin. Prisons and jails are full because of sin. In general, lives become broken because of sin.
Praise God there is a cure and the cure is Jesus. Jesus sent the Holy Spirit to help with sin. The Holy Spirit brings conviction. He lets people know of their downfall with sin. Through the power of the Holy Spirit He brings hope and healing. He brings the mercy and love of God so that the weight of sin might be lifted and we can begin to grow up in Jesus.
Justice… God is a just God. Jesus died to take the punishment of sin. The truth is there is collateral damage with sin. Our world has laws. Many are God’s laws. If you break a law, the world still brings justice. This is why we have prisons and jails. The world brings punishment for the breaking of law. When someone is punished for their breaking of a law and pays for their crime… there needs to be a time for moving on and forgiveness. It is a recognition that there is redemption… a changing of life … a moving away from bad actions of the past and a willingness to give people another chance in life. It is the understanding that people can grow up and leave sin behind. It means no matter what you have done in your past, there is a time where God makes us new people… more in the image of Jesus.
Jesus saves from the gutter-most to the uttermost. AMEN! Praise God for His love. Great God Almighty, peace at last.
So the question is, if my Lord and Savior forgives His children, who am I not to?
David McKellip is a retired pastor in Boise, Idaho, and currently the Director of Ministries, and senior member of Bethel Ministries Board of Directors. Web sites: Freed To Serve & Redeemed Justice