_{by Trent - from May 2006}

If you are a church-goer, or if you have ever been a church-goer ... then you have probably heard that salvation means "getting your sins forgiven" and that salvation means "going to be with God in heaven after you die" and that salvation means "not being tormented in hell for your misdeeds" and that salvation is "a gift from God that Jesus accomplished by death upon the cross."

Has Christian sub-culture given you that kind of "salvation?"

That is what I have heard along the way ... but there is just one problem with that: Salvation is a term that has a specific meaning, but it isn't associated with what Jesus accomplished by death upon a cross. Salvation is NOT getting your sins forgiven. Nor is salvation really about your ability to goto heaven after you die. And salvation is not really about skipping out on misery in hell.

You are welcome to correct me on this, if I have erred. But I am confident that what you will find in scripture about salvation is the exact same thing that is echoing in my heart, and the main thing that this blog is devoted to: Salvation is the exchange (that is never forced upon anyone) given freely as we abide ... an exchange of me and my resources trying to live, for EXACTLY Jesus, right now, alive and living in me!!

Salvation is the Life of Jesus, now ... not something "in the sweet by and by" after you die, with snow-cones in the sky.

2 Corinthians 6:2
... now is the time of God's favor, now is the day of salvation.

Salvation is the Life of Jesus HERE on earth, no waiting to get to heaven or avoid getting to hell. We are talking about the earthly sojourn while still in your ape-suit.

Acts 13:47
For this is what the Lord has commanded us: 'I have made you a light for the Gentiles, that you may bring salvation to the ends of the earth.'

Salvation is the Life of Jesus ADDING a POSITIVE righteousness in what is done, not just expunging some misdeed by getting rid of it or forgiving it. The universal reconciliation by the forgiveness of unrighteousness is a frequent topic in the Bible, but SALVATION is not a taking away of anything, it is a fresh new additional influx of Life from above invading our humanity and providing miraculous victory and fruits of the Spirit that we bear (not produce.)

Romans 1:16
I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes: ...

By the Life of Jesus, not His death (though attonment was needed to make salvation possible) I want to share in the rescue from my current hell, not some afterlife hell.

Romans 5:10
For if, when 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!

Salvation is brought to us while alive, not us brought to salvation after we die.

Titus 2:11
For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men.

Are you open to the idea that "salvation" is a far more wonderful idea then is presented by popular Christian-culture?

As Jim Fowler puts it this way HERE: "Salvation is not an entity, a commodity, a "package", a spiritual "goody"; Salvation is not a heavenly entrance pass, a ticket to heaven, an eternal life package. Salvation is not a "possession in my pocket'. ... Salvation is the dynamic functioning of the Person of Jesus Christ within us, the restorative activity of the Savior."

I'm obessed with salvation ... talking about it, and celebrating it. Will you join me in this fellowship, celebrating the Divinity of the Lord Jesus invading the humanity of our lives through His saving Life as we abide in Him?