THE KIND OF SALVATION WE NEED

THE KIND OF SALVATION WE NEED
God provided SO GREAT SALVATION. Let me mention a few of the kinds of salvation that people claim to have, but they are not so great. As we consider these non-salvation views, we should get a glimpse of the GREAT SALVATION God offers to us. Then I will mention the Great Salvation and its benefits.

* Salvation from guilt, but not a change in our nature, or thoughts, or words, or attitude, will, or behavior. We are left to do the best we can, which actually is being left to fail in our battle with Satan and struggle with temptation.

* Salvation from guilt and from regularly practicing the more offensive and obvious sins of murder, stealing, violence, open fornication and adultery (at least most of the time). Our lives are more like a "performance" or an "act." Though we will appear to be self controlled, we will be seething inwardly with lust, anger, greed, suspicion, pride, hatred and other "sins of the spirit." At the most inopportune times we will, "lose" our Christian composure and betray the will of God.

* Salvation from guilt, grosser sins, antisocial sins, as well as the less obvious and offensive sins, but left to struggle with internal rebellion, un-surrendered will. We are able to control our outward actions, through much self discipline and self denial, but we are still plagued by the taunting of a sinful nature. We live as those who are seeking to keep laws and maintain the appearance of being at peace, but inwardly we see ourselves as corrupt. We submit to His will, but we are not one with His will.

* Salvation from guilt, and deliverance from grosser sins and minor sins, living an exemplary Christ-like life, guided moment by moment by the indwelling Spirit of God, so that we keep His commandments and do the things that are pleasing in His sight, not from obligation, but from desire.
We are recipients of a new nature, and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. However we are also delivered from the old nature that keeps us from being pure, even as Christ is pure.
We keep His commands and they are not grievous to us.
We live at peace with God and we live with the peace of God ruling in our hearts.
Our will is not simply submitted to Him, but it is surrendered gladly to Him.
We do His will because we love Him, not because we want to earn His favor or because we are driven my carnal desires.
Our conscience is clear, we bring every thought captive to the obedience of Christ.
We do nothing from selfishness or worldly pleasure.
We are miraculously transformed into the image of Jesus and we have the mind of Christ.
This is true salvation, this is great salvation.

Now, which model are you experiencing in your own life? Do you see the need for the Great Salvation described in the last scenario? It is obtainable by abandoning all hope in self and then trusting God to fill you with His Spirit and make you more than a conqueror, and causing you to triumph in Christ.