The Counseling Corner
By Rev. Judith T. Lester, B.Min. M.Th
In theology, the study of salvation is called soteriology, from the Greek soteria meaning “salvation.” Salvation refers to the act of God’s grace in delivering His people from bondage to sin and condemnation and giving all on the basis of what Christ accomplished in His atoning sacrifice. The Bible says we are saved by grace through faith; and that not of ourselves, it is God’s gift to mankind (Ephesians 2:8). Apart from Christ, we are “weak” and “ungodly” (Romans 5:6), under the coming “wrath of God” (Romans 5:9), “enemies” of God in need of “reconciliation” and salvation (Romans 5:10), under the “judgment” and reigning “death” that followed Adam’s “one trespass” (Romans 5:16-17), “enslaved to sin” (Romans 6:6, 16-17, 2) presenting our “members as slaves to impurity and to lawlessness leading to more lawlessness” (Romans 6:19), “of the flesh, sold under sin” (Romans 7:14), having “nothing good” dwelling in our flesh (Romans 7:18), having bodies “of death” in need of deliverance (Romans 7:24), “hostile to God” (Romans 8:7), the fruit and wages of which are death and condemnation (Romans 6:21, 23; 8:1). As Christians, we were saved from the penalty of sin when God brought us to faith in Christ.
B.MIN. M.TH
In the New Testament Jesus is portrayed as the Savior of sinners. The title reserved for God in the Old Testament is transferred to Jesus as incarnate Son in the New Testament. He is the Savior or Deliverer from sin and its consequences as well as from Satan and his power. Jesus preached the arrival of the kingdom of God the kingly, fatherly rule of God in human lives. When a person repented and believed, that person received salvation. Jesus said to Zacchaeus in Luke 19:9:
“Today salvation has come to this house.”
Zacchaeus did not allow anything to stand between him and seeing Jesus, neither the crowd, nor his stature. He was willing to do anything it took to get right with God. Is there anything that is standing in between you and your desire to see Jesus? Are you willing to pay whatever price necessary to get right with God? Are you ready to walk away from sin and run to Him? Jesus said in Revelation 3:20:
“Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me.”
*Article Sources: theopedia.com; All In One Bible Reference Guide (Zondervan).
Next Week: Conclusion: Redemption
The writer does not assume responsibility in any way for readers’ efforts to apply or utilize information or recommendations made in these articles, as they may not be necessarily appropriate for every situation to which they may refer. Rather, the objective is strictly informative and educational. If you would like to contact Rev. Lester, write to her c/o P.O. Box 121, Brookfield, WI. 53008.
