Apr 3, 2012
3 Ways We Can Miss the Point of Salvation
During my elementary school years I regularly attended a church camp at Green Oak Boys Ranch.
The last night of the camp was a campfire where we were all urged to give our lives to Christ.
That was probably the first time I prayed the sinner’s prayer.
Missing the point
But those early times praying the sinner’s prayer did nothing for me — because I was missing the point of salvation.
Maybe it was the way the Gospel was explained, or maybe it was just my hard heart.
But whatever the reason — I was not getting the point of salvation — in at least three ways.
So I want to share these with you —
- in case you have also missed the point of salvation
- to strengthen you in your experience of salvation
- so you can more effectively lead others to salvation
- so today you can more deeply enjoy your salvation
So here goes — three ways we can miss the point of salvation —
Thinking the point is being forgiven so I can avoid hell.
That is an essential point. But it’s not the MAIN point.
The MAIN point is being forgiven so I can receive the infinite prize of the Universe — God Himself.
Salvation means the deepest longings of my 4th-grade or 56-year old heart can be fully satisfied in knowing God, fellowshiping with God, worshiping God (Psa 16:11).
Like Peter said — Christ died “that He might bring us to God” (1Pet 3:18).
And Paul — Christ died so that whether we are alive or in heaven — “we might live with Him” (1Th 5:9-10).
That’s the point of salvation — that through faith I can receive the heart-filling joy of knowing God-in-Christ — now and forever.
Thinking faith is just agreeing that Jesus died to save me.
This is crucial to believe. If I don’t believe Jesus’ death can pay for my guilt — I can’t be saved.
But saving faith is more.
Saving faith includes repentance — turning from something.
It means turning from my idols — other things I have trusted to satisfy my heart — and turning to Christ — trusting Him to satisfy my heart.
That’s what Paul did — “whatever gain I had, I counted as loss … in order that I may gain Christ” (Phil 3:7-8).
And the Thessalonians, who “turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God” (1Th 1:9).
True, saving faith means turning from what I used to trust to satisfy me, and trusting Jesus Christ to satisfy me.
Thinking conversion is just a decision I make or a prayer I pray.
Conversion does involve deciding something. And praying something.
But it also involves feeling something — the heart-satisfaction of knowing Jesus Christ.
This is described as
- living water for thirsty souls (John 4:10).
- the light of Jesus’ glory shining into our hearts (2Cor 4:6).
- the love of God poured into our hearts by the Spirit (Rom 5:5).
So why do I believe this happens at the point of conversion?
One reason is because this is the point of salvation. Salvation MEANS receiving Christ as our all-satisfying Treasure.
Can you receive an all-satisfying Treasure — and feel nothing?
The other reason is because it’s taught in Scripture —
- All who come to Jesus have their heart-hungers satisfied (John 6:35).
- All who believe in Jesus drink Living Water (John 7:37-38).
- When God saves us He shines the light of Jesus’ glory into our hearts (2Cor 4:6).
Of course, there are dangers in emphasizing feelings and experiences (more on that another time).
But there are also dangers in not emphasizing what God’s Word promises.
A lottery ticket
Think of someone buying a ticket for the recent Mega-Millions Lottery.
Imagine them finding out it’s the winning ticket — but not understanding that they get $600+ million — and never cashing the ticket in for the winnings.
They missed the point.
The point of salvation…
… is the full and lasting joy of knowing God in the person of Jesus Christ.
Don’t miss the point.
Comments? Feedback? Pushback?
I’d love to hear them — feel free to leave a reply below. Thanks!
Do you know someone who would benefit from this? Email it to them using the “share” button below, or use the buttons to share it on other social media sites.
If you would like to receive a Saturday email summarizing the week’s posts — subscribe here. (I will only use your email address for Living By Faith Blog communications — and you can easily unsubscribe at any time.)
Here’s some related posts —
- What Keeps Faith From Changing Us?
- A Promise For Those Feeling Far From God.
- How God Comforted Hudson Taylor.
- Blaise Pascal’s Astonishing Experience.
(Picture is by ilco on stockxchng.)
this are good teaching well studied .where are you brother can hear the cry in Africa Kenya
God bless
Pst Maluti