New Bible Concepts

Harmonizing

Scripture With Scripture

4786 Dressler Rd NW, #113, Canton OH 44718 Last updated 07-09-2011

He Doubts His Salvation

In this fast paced world in which we live the ideas and concepts of salvation tend to take on the characteristics of our busy lives. This often leads to doubt and confusion in our minds and lives as to where we stand with Yahweh (the self-existent Creator).

Here in the United States of America, our culture has developed to the point where if we want something we get it now, if there is a problem we get it fixed now. If we need money, credit will fill the need. The "buy now, pay later" mentality. Gone are the days of waiting "for the crops to grow", hard work, saving and researching. Life is many times too busy, hectic and... uncertain.

Having everything we want now, being impatient when things don't go our way, being envious of others around us doesn't lead to stability and satisfaction. Having to work hard, saving and waiting are not bad things.

I encourage you to take a trip to visit an Amish community. It is good to appreciate the simple things once again. Life seems to slow down. There seems to be much more contentment and dedication. Yes, they have a lot of the same desires and worries we have. Jealousy and envy are there just as they are here but from a much different viewpoint than the fast paced life of technologically advanced America.

We live in a very blessed and advanced civilization. Technology has probably advanced faster over the last 100 years than at any time in history. (But it is ironic that we still cannot figure out how they built those pyramids!) It has changed our culture and expectations from life. Unfortunately, our understanding and grasp of Christianity has evolved along with our culture. We want to "get it all now." When we can't understand God and His ways immediately we give up and become discouraged.

There is a recent story about a young man who was having trouble... keeping out of trouble. A story most of us probably have experience with. One which may be similar to our own.

This young man has just turned eighteen. He is now an "adult" or so our culture makes us try to believe. He is now responsible for his own actions (or so it used to be) and all of the restrictions and taboos have now vanished (from our cultural point of view). This young man has grown up in church. A Bible believing, Bible teaching church and he is even the son of a preacher. A PK (preacher's kid), you would think, would be well established, knowledgeable and grounded in the Bible. He should have no problem making that transition from "youth" to "adult" knowing exactly where he is headed with the knowledge of what God wants him to do.

Growing up as a PK actually has its disadvantages. They are expected to act a certain way, behave a certain way and have more knowledge about God and the Bible than the rest of us. It just isn't so. The fast paced, hectic lifestyle extends to the church leaders and their families as much as it does to yours and mine. The lure and temptation of the world (those outside the church box) is just as great for them as us (maybe stronger).

The temporary pleasure of sin brings excitement many times. It appears to bring happiness, wealth and "the good life." It is realized that its pleasure is not so exciting only after it has its grasp on us. It is a struggle which will continue for the rest of our physical lives.

The real difficulty is manifested when it brings doubt and discouragement into what we have been taught and thought we believed. For this young man, "he doubts his salvation" was the concern expressed by others who knew him. Others to whom he could have turned to for help and friendship but decided not to.

That "feeling" of salvation is often the doorway going from what we think is knowing truth and going into the world with its "get it now" happiness and satisfaction "fix". That "feeling" we are so used to. It is time to stop and reconsider what salvation is or maybe what it is not. Let's try to take a Biblical view. It may not agree with what we were taught it is.

The first thing that comes to mind when the subject of salvation is brought up is, saved from what? If I was an alcoholic and no longer am, I would have been saved from alcoholism. If I was a thief but saw the error of my ways and no longer stole, I would be saved from thievery. If I was a sinner and not longer sinned, I would be saved from sin.

WAIT, isn't that what we are taught in church? Get "saved" and you will no longer sin? If not stated specifically, it is implied in many teachings. It is taught that we are instantly ("get it now") saved when we place our trust in Yahweh's sacrifice (Christ) for sin. We now start that emotional roller coaster ride of feeling saved, then sinning and feeling unsaved. Up and down, feeling euphoric to feeling worse than dirt. Have you been there? I have.

2 Corinthians 5:17, Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new (KJV). This is most often the verse referred to when presented with the idea that we are instantly changed into a new creature. However, if the context of the passage is considered (please read it), it is apparent that Paul is talking about a future event for the believer in Christ. That event happens after death, burial and resurrection in heaven before our Almighty Creator.

John reveals in Revelation 21:5, And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And he said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful. (KJV) All things would be made new at a future time to his writing (although that would happen shortly after he wrote it according to Revelation 1:3). If our new life is complete instantly upon trusting Christ's shed blood as the sacrifice for our sin does that we mean we will be made "new" again at this future event John is talking about? I don't see anywhere in scripture that our new life will be made new again.

To follow the example of Christ, we receive a totally new life after resurrection from the dead. That is our reward. A life without sin, pain or heartache. Not a changed life but a totally new life. A reward which will extend into eternity never to be taken away.

It is only when this scripture is taken out of context that we begin to have problems. The idea that we have a totally new life immediately now is a road that leads to unwanted results. Our human body is not going away until our last breath is taken. Our human body is bent toward sin (thank you Adam). It is a fact we have to live with and a battle which has to be fought (as a believer in Christ) everyday.

Do you know someone who is schizophrenic? If you do, it is a person you would always be a little nervous being around. You never know how they will behave. They can change personalities at anytime. They can be scary and frightening. It is someone you would not wish to be around all of the time and someone you would not want to have a very close relationship to. You definitely would not want to be like them.

As believers in Christ don't we want to attract people? Aren't we supposed to become like Christ? Isn't the message that we receive (subconsciously) that we are schizophrenic if we trust Christ? On one hand we are told we don't sin but on the other hand we constantly fight our human flesh. It turns out to be something unpleasant to both the viewer and the one struggling to find himself. No wonder we have such doubts and such a roller coaster ride of a life. No wonder others are not interested in what we have.

When salvation is viewed as something we do not (completely) obtain until we pass from death (this life) unto life (a completely new, eternal, immortal life) then we can start to deal more realistically with the "feelings" which drag us down. In fact, when viewed in this way our emotions no longer determine our relationship with Yahweh. It is scripture and scripture alone that provides us with the understanding and assurance of our destiny.

Paul provides us with a good understanding of the problem because Paul struggled with the same feelings we do. First, let's explore Paul's understanding of salvation. Romans 12:2, And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God (KJV). The word transform comes from the Greek word metamorphosis. Just as a caterpillar transforms (goes thru a metamorphosis) into a beautiful butterfly becoming something completely new, so we as believers in Christ do the same. While the caterpillar is in the cocoon it is something that is unrecognizable (a gooey mess if you were to break it open), so we, as we struggle to become more like Christ and resist the temptations of the world may, at times, be unrecognizable as believers. It doesn't change the fact however (notice no feelings have to be involved) that our minds are still being renewed and transformed (it was our choice to follow Christ) into something new and beautiful.

In Romans chapter seven, Paul describes his wrestling with sin and the temptations it presents. He explains his dilemma perfectly in Romans 7:15:

For that which I do I allow not: for what I would, that do I not; but what I hate, that do I (KJV). (Also consider Young's Literal Translation: Romans 7:15, for that which I work, I do not acknowledge; for not what I will, this I practise, but what I hate, this I do.) He goes on to acknowledge that he sins because it is in his nature (Romans 7:17, Now then it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me (KJV)). He realizes that his mind has changed his desires but his natural body gives conflict.

The conclusion Paul comes to is astonishing when understood he wrote it as a believer and follower of Christ (yes, even as one of the inspired apostles). Romans 7:24, A wretched man I am! who shall deliver me out of the body of this death? (YLT) Is that not how so many have felt by trying to "feel" saved?

Paul, however, knew scripture and understood the work of God. The transformation occurring in us will not be complete until we receive new life (through death, burial and resurrection).

Philippians 3:11 If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead.

12 Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus.

13 Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before,

14 I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus (KJV).

Paul realized he had not obtained that complete transformation yet but he was looking for and striving toward it. The prize was new life in Christ and immortality (2 Timothy 1:10, But is now made manifest by the appearing of our savior Jesus Christ, who hath abolished death, and hath brought life and immortality to light through the gospel. (KJV))

Like Paul, let us understand the battle we are in. Let us keep our minds and hearts turned toward Yahweh. May we understand that our salvation is not based on feelings nor should we depend on our emotional state from day to day to determine our relationship with God. Our faith is based on scripture and the truth only it provides. Accept who we are, understand who we are becoming and glorify Yahweh in everything we do and say.