What is salvation?
- Hebrew yesha (root for Joshua & Jesus) – refers to freedom from something binding/restricting deliverance
- Greek soteria – means deliverance, preservation, safety, salvation; to cure, to rescue
Instead of Seeking Theology…
Somewhere along the line, the religious Jews lost sight of the spirit in favor of the letter – they lost sight of Christ, the Savior, as they clung to their religion – and their religion became their “savior”.
Religious Sacrifices
When performed righteously before God (through faith); they were not construed as the means of salvation; rather, they were ‘types’ (prophetic symbols – physical illustrations of spiritual realities) of Christ’s ultimate, final sacrifice. (Heb 10-11)
The Context of Salvation
If we’re going to understand the fullness of Jesus’ words in the four Gospels, we must understand the context of His ministry to the Jews.
What is salvation?
- Hebrew yesha (root for Joshua & Jesus) – refers to freedom from something binding/restricting deliverance
- Greek soteria – means deliverance, preservation, safety, salvation; to cure, to rescue
2 Implications of Salvation
- There’s a need for salvation (Gen 2:17; Ps 19:1; 69:1-2; Ecc 7:20; Is 1:6; Jer 17:9; Mt 9:1-2; 14:25-30; Mk 7:20-23; Lk 19:10; Jn 8:44; Ac 8:30-31; 14:17; Ro 1:19-20; 2:14-16; 3:19; 5:12; 2Co 4:4; Eph 2:2,12; Jas 4:4; 1Jn 2:15-16; 3:10; 5:12; Jud 1:19)
- There’s a willing/able party that saves (Zech 9:9; Mt 8:2-3; Lk 1:68-69; 2:29-30; 3:5-6; Ac 4:12; Ro 1:16; Eph 3:20; 1Ti 2:3-4; 2Ti 1:12; Tit 2:11; Heb 2:18; 5:9; 7:25; 2Pe 3:9; Jud 1:24)
Forgiving Our Parents
11/26/21 - blog
The Nature of Creatures
Creatures have an irresistible urge to do whatever they are naturally inclined to do.
We cannot lay claim to a single act of goodness from a state of total depravity.
The Nature of Fallen Creatures
A fallen creature is wholly corrupt. Every “good” act is polluted by unrighteousness (e.g., ungodly thinking, motivation, perspective), which makes it unholy, precluding it from being truly good, acceptable, and pleasing to God. (ref: Col 1:9-12)
The Effects of the Fall
The Fall in the Garden was cataclysmic, violent, and permanent (as far as man’s abilities are concerned).
Perfectly Righteous Creatures
Before the Fall, Adam and Eve were totally dependent on God’s provisions. After the fall, in their newly formed evil estate, their nature naturally chose self-righteousness (e.g., they covered themselves, hid from God).
God’s Holiness Demands Holiness
In order to fellowship with God, one:
1. Cannot be sinful
2. Must possess perfect righteousness
Mt 6:23b
If then the light in you is darkness, how great is the darkness!
