Theology Thursday: Why Did Jesus Die?
Before I get started this week, I’d like to share an insight I had in church this past Sunday. The speaker was talking about the reality of Satan and how to resist his influence, and a though occurred to me:
One never hears anyone object to calling Satan “He.”
I just found that interesting.
Anyway, I’ve been thinking a bit lately about what salvation means. Ask a hundred people and you’ll probably get a lot of different answers, but many folks would probably say it has something to do with getting to Heaven. But isn’t there more to it than that?
As Christians, we believe Christ’s death resulted in our salvation. But what, exactly, did his death accomplish?
Well, I found a hint in TITUS!!! Yes, that Titus which, until now, I’ve not blogged about. So now I get to cross it off the List!
Titus 2:11-14 (NLT, emphasis mine):
11 For the grace of God has been revealed, bringing salvation to all people.12 And we are instructed to turn from godless living and sinful pleasures. We should live in this evil world with wisdom, righteousness, and devotion to God, 13 while we look forward with hope to that wonderful day when the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, will be revealed. 14 He gave his life to free us from every kind of sin, to cleanse us, and to make us his very own people, totally committed to doing good deeds.
(An aside here, but verse 13 is a good Divinity of Christ reference.)
Verse 14 is the key one for the salvation question, obviously. And this is what, I’d submit, Salvation means to us today, while we live. In the end, of course, it means we’ll live on in Eternity. And Paul even makes a mention of this later in Titus.
Titus 3:4-7 (NLT)
4 But "When God our Savior revealed his kindness and love,5 he saved us, not because of the righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He washed away our sins, giving us a new birth and new life through the Holy Spirit. 6 He generously poured out the Spirit upon us through Jesus Christ our Savior. 7 Because of his grace he declared us righteous and gave us confidence that we will inherit eternal life."
I guess it turns out I didn’t need the first passage, because this one contains both points. Right now, we have new life, and ultimately we’ll inherit eternal life. Actually, it basically means we’re already living that eternal life.
So how should we live now? As His People, totally committed to doing good deeds.