When … God our Savior appeared … he saved us …
Summary: Paul speaks from a godly perspective. If we see his words only from a human perspective, we risk losing everything worth having.
When I was in eighth grade, my teacher was terrific. He often talked about his “pet peeves,” and so one day, I presented him with a cartoon drawing I had done. It showed him standing on a sidewalk holding two leashes like you would for pet dogs. Instead of dogs, I drew funny little fur balls with big eyes and two big feet each. These were his “pet peeves.”
I do not have a lot of pet peeves myself, but I do have a few. One of them is how we translate and understand the Greek word sōzō. In today’s passage, the NIV translates sōzō as God having “saved us.” I think most of us read this to mean that we have been (past tense) saved. I know from personal experience that most of the believers I know and have known, throughout my life, use this expression.
Why should anyone object to this? After all, it is a wonderful affirmation of our Lord’s love for us and his mercy. What is wrong with having been saved?
The answer, of course, is nothing. Nothing, that is, if a person really has been saved. But there is this troubling passage in the Bible that has often nagged at me. Jesus says, “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter into heaven’s kingdom. It is only those who persist in doing the will of my heavenly Father.” (Matthew 7: 21)
In the children’s story titled “The Tortoise and the Hare,” the rabbit famously loses a race with a turtle. You might say he was a “hare” overconfident. In the rabbit’s mind, he had already won the race. So he did not need to try. He showed up, showed off, and lost the race.
I fear for people who say that they believe in Jesus but take being “saved” for granted. To be fair, I confess I fear for myself for the same reason. Who wants to be in the position of having made any pretense of being a believer only to hear Jesus say, “Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter into heaven’s kingdom.”
So how does this work? How can Paul suggest that Christians have been “saved” when Jesus himself seems to be saying that there is a qualifier in play?
My take on this topic is that there are two points of view. Paul has been chosen personally by Jesus. As he tells us in his letter to the Galatians, he received the gospel directly from Jesus (Galatians 1: 11-12). Jesus has a unique viewpoint on this topic. He came to save mankind (John 3:17). On the cross, he declared his mission a success with the iconic phrase, “It is finished.” (John 19: 30)
From God’s perspective, mankind has been saved. The work of redemption is complete. Through Jesus, people have access to a renewed relationship with God. (John 10:9)
From man’s perspective, we look to God and hope for salvation. Even in this short letter, Paul mentions this hope three times. (Titus 1:2, 2:13, 3:7)
The danger of misunderstanding, of assuming that we have already crossed the finish line, is the same as the rabbit in the old children’s tale. It is much wiser to be like the tortoise and plod along, trusting each step of the way in God’s mercy.
Application: Check your attitude toward salvation. Are you a hare that is already there or a tortoise plodding towards the finish line?
Food for Thought: What is the danger to others if we choose not to “rebuke with all authority?” (Titus 2:15)
To refuse to rebuke clearly defined sin and just let it go – is not a loving act. If someone is doing something self destructive and we simply sit back and watch the train wreck, that is the easy way out – for us.
Rich,
Well said. Love (agapē) takes many forms. Because it is selfless it is hard for the worldly to understand.
What is the danger to others if we choose not to “rebuke with all authority?” (Titus 2:15)
Titus 2:15, Tell them these things. ENCOURAGE and REBUKE with FULL AUTHORITY. Let no one disregard or despise you.
The danger to others is they could see the behavior as being acceptable, and in time it could become the established standard for acceptable conduct being adopted by all.
Jesus spent up to 31/2 years in ministry prior to giving His life as full payment for the sins of all mankind. The word of God contains select portions of His ministry which are our examples of God’s definition of encouraging and rebuking with full authority.
As I study the Gospels, I see the message of Jesus never changes, however He is acutely aware of His audience and will adjust the delivery of His message to suit the audience and truth He is delivering.
Mark 12:35, Matthew 11:1, Mark 6:34, Mark 1:22, Luke 13:26
The Holy Spirit, God, comes to each of us as He convicts us of our sins and later is our teacher, our counselor and our power to overcome sins in our lives. He never forces Himself on anyone. He comes in authority to each in patient love and truth as He convicts each of our sin and provides a path to righteousness.
John 16:8-13, 1 John 2:27, 2 Timothy 1:7, 1 Corinthians 14:33
God is our example, our power, and our authority to encourage and rebuke. We focus on submitting to Him, He will work through us and deliver His truths to the hearts of others.
Ron,
You write: “The danger to others is they could see the behavior as being acceptable, and in time it could become the established standard for acceptable conduct being adopted by all.”
As I look back over the past six decades I wonder how many times unacceptable behavior has been accepted rather than challenged. Looking at the state of our world today, there seems a clear divide between God’s values and the world’s values. The values of the flesh have become commonplace and the values of God’s Word are under attack.
Whatever it would have taken to challenge this onslaught thirty or forty years ago would have been a pittance compared to what is required to fight this corruption now.
After writing that first sentence, I read it and realized as you have, this is going on today. “We will make it better” churches are springing up all over and it is not going to slow down.
I plan to allow God to work in me, use me to minister as the rest of the entry describes for as long as this spirit of mine is occupying this body.
Blessings,
Ron
👍🏻