To Save part 3
When we're talking about salvation I think it's so important that we really get away from all of the heaven and hell talk. Because as far as I'm concerned, "...death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death" (Revelation 20:14). And just as a real quick aside, if hell was cast into the lake of fire (which is God, right? God is a consuming fire.) then hell can't BE a lake of fire, right? Anyway. That's a pretty big can of worms. And what I want to focus on in this Rant series is the truth that Jesus came to seek and save that which was lost. Before the cross we were lost. Because it was dark and we couldn't see. We didn't know who we were, or where we were, or why we were created. We tried to do the best we could with what we had, but we didn't think we had anything. We were always trying to earn something. And the tragic part about that is, the thing we so desperately desired is not something that can be earned. It is a gift. And as such it can only be given, and received. We thought we were seeking something, trying to save ourselves. But we had it backwards. Because (again) it was JESUS who came to seek and to save US. He did it all so we could get it all. So we could begin to experience and enjoy what we have. What He gave us when He gave His life for us, and gave His life to us. And to me, more than anything else, that's what salvation is. Being saved from the struggle. From the "Adam life" if I can say it that way. Being saved from the lie that says we have to do in order to be. The lie that says we aren't good enough, but if we work hard enough maybe someday we'll get there. I once heard a preacher say, "The devil doesn't care what you believe, as long as it's not right now." And I feel about the devil about the same as I feel about hell--over and done with--but I understand the idea. If everything's out in our future then we can't experience it or enjoy it right now. It's like we've made the afterlife so important we've forgotten about ETERNAL life. Something with no beginning or end. Jesus, in other words. The Alpha and the Omega. And, when we stop waiting for what already happened to happen, we see that He's the beginning, the end, and everything in between! We see that salvation was more than just a "get out of hell free" card. It was the total and complete healing of our body, soul, and spirit. We are complete in Him. Already. Because of what HE did for us (and as us) on the cross. He sought us out and saved us. Shined the light of the world and revealed to us that we ARE the light of the world! Salvation is about the end of the struggle. The end of being lost. "I once was lost, and now I'm found," right? Found in Him. Because I found Him in me. Because I stopped looking (seeking) outside of myself and started to seek the Kingdom. Looking inside and finding the righteousness, peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost that IS the Kingdom of God! Jesus said He came that we might have life, and have it more abundantly. That's what it's all about. Life... love...