Romans 5:10: “For if, while we were God’s enemies, we were reconciled to him through the death of his Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through his life!”

The church sometimes uses the fear of hell to scare people into heaven. It’s called “fire insurance,” and it’s an incomplete presentation of the good news of Jesus. Yes, Jesus’ life, death, burial, and resurrection saves us from spending eternity separated from God. But there’s more to it. The good news is not just for after we physically die, it’s for today. Right now. This moment. 

Theologians discuss salvation in three tenses: past, present, and future. Understanding that we have been saved from our sins and will be saved from hell is fairly straightforward. But salvation is also present tense. Jesus is saving us right now. Jesus is saving us from the power of sin in our lives. Jesus is saving us from our independence and sefl-justification. Jesus is saving us from this dark world and its influence.

This ongoing reality of Jesus’ present salvation needs to be emphasized more because it gives us the power to live. Jesus is saving us for the good works He’s prepared for us. As we abide with Jesus, we get glimpses into this calling. Let us look with expectant eyes and humble hearts and willing hands. Let us say YES to Jesus’ salvation and life in the here and now. 

#IdentityTruths #100daysofidentity #WhoAreYou 

Photo by Patrick Fore on Unsplash