Man- vs. God-Centered Salvation
- A man-centered salvation places man’s will (aka, his idol, “free will”) as the sovereign, determining factor in its “gospel”.
- A God-centered salvation places God’s will (equipped with His free will) as the sovereign, determining factor in its Gospel.
Have Faith
It’s perfectly “normal” to start out perplexed about God’s elective decree, just don’t despair over it. Instead, pray for faith (Lk 17:5) and be set free by the Truth (Jn 8:32).
Receive This Truth by Faith
- Jn 6:44 No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws him. [salvation is a work of God] And I will raise him up on the last day.
- Jn 6:47 Truly, truly, I say to you, whoever believes has eternal life. [God holds man responsible for his belief/unbelief]
Lk 19:10
For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.
Mt 3:8
Bear fruit in keeping with repentance.
Context is Key – 10/29/21 blog
In 2Co 5:19, the word “world” is used to communicate “without distinction”, meaning God was reconciling people from all walks of life (all types, e.g., Jews or Gentiles alike) to himself through Christ. It does not mean every last person (that would imply He saves everyone without exception).
Instead of Seeking Theology…
Seek:
- Context (e.g., we are born spiritually dead)
- Truth (e.g., only God can save us)
- Understanding (e.g., God chooses to save some and passes over others)
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
OT Salvation Perspective
We see that salvation had an implied “from”, meaning God saved them FROM something that threatened them with harm. Salvation was a safe-haven for those who turned to their Savior for deliverance.
Eph 2:3
among whom we all once lived in the passions of our flesh, carrying out the desires of the body and the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, like the rest of mankind.
Ps 27:4
One thing have I asked of the LORD, that will I seek after: that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life [aka – to live in God’s presence], to gaze upon the beauty of the LORD and to inquire in his temple.
Ro 5:1
Therefore, since we have been justified by faith [according to Eph 2, faith is a grace gift, lest anyone boast], we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.
Ro 12:1-2
I appeal to you therefore, brothers, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.
