If you stopped and asked people on the street “What do you need to be
saved from?” What do you think the
responses would be? Friends have told me
that they don’t believe they need to be saved by God for anything. Saying. “What have I done to cause God to
hate me that he would send me to hell?
I’m basically a good person and my life is fine without God.” Actually, I agree with the previous viewpoint. God doesn’t hate you for anything you’ve done
and your life can be fine without God.
Then, what’s the reason for seeking to know and follow God? Is the purpose of a relationship with God a “self-improvement”
program? Unfortunately, this seems to be the focus of
some churches. If being “saved” is
supposed to make you a better person, then what about my friends who are more
loving and caring than a few church people I know? So, if you’re not a Christian, what do you need
to be saved from? The correct Sunday
School answer is of course, “H-E-double L”.
If a 12 year old boy lies to his Mom about taking a cookie from the
cookie jar, then does that means the boy deserves an eternity in hell? Does that type of “theology” make any sense to
an unchurched friend, especially when you share about your Christian God as
being all-loving and caring? There are churches
and Christian ministries that approach salvation from this viewpoint or at
least it appears so from their belief statements and messages concerning
salvation.
Jesus says something related to this that is quoted in the Gospel of
John, chapter 10, verses 1 – 16. Using
the example of a good shepherd, Jesus talks about God’s desired relationship
with us.
Jesus is a
Good Shepherd who watches over his sheep 24/7.
Therefore, the sheep recognize His voice and trust to come to and follow
Jesus because this Good Shepherd has protected them from harmful and
destructive forces in the world and guided them to “good pastures”, a place
where a good life is found by following the Shepherd.
What do we need to be saved
from? Ourselves, and the poor - destructive choices we make coming from the
negative aspects of our human nature.
Knowing and relating to Jesus Christ can “save” us from the harmful aspects
of our nature. But is there more to life
than just being “saved”? We are so
thankful as a community when a person is saved from a deadly situation because
now they can continue to live out their life with those who love them and they
can pursue their purpose in life.
God desires to save us so we can
live a life here on earth and in heaven knowing His love for us and so we can
care for and love those around us, our neighbors, community and family. I, along with many other Christians, believe this
“Godly” life is best found in knowing and following the person of Jesus Christ,
the Son of God. Naturally, we desire to
share who Christ is to others, so they can discover and choose this great life
of knowing and following the Good Shepherd.
No comments:
Post a Comment