The Salvation Incantation

Saving Private Ryan is a brutally realistic view into the horrors of war.  It is the story of an American squad sent on a rescue mission.  A mission to save one person, the titular Private Ryan.  They do not know where he is, and most of the squad don't want to be on the mission.  Why should they risk their lives to send one schmuck home?  But they follow orders and after a long search, they find him.

By the end of the movie, most of the squad has died in the course of their mission.  Including their captain, played by Tom Hanks.  As he lays dying after a vicious battle, he waves Ryan over and rasps to him, "Earn this."

That floors me every time I see it.  Earn this.  How?  How can you live a life knowing that others died so that you can live?  How do you ever live up to that request, to earn their sacrifice.  Well, Ryan clearly struggles with that thought for the remainder of his life.  The scene fades and we see the elderly Ryan at the captain's grave, and he says to his wife, "Tell me I'm a good man."

He lived his whole life wondering if he lived up to the lives that were given so he could go home.  Even though he didn't ask for it.  His salvation ate at his mind his whole life.

I'm glad Jesus did not have the same mind set.  He did not ask us to earn the salvation he purchased for us.  He said, "It is accomplished!"  Done.  Finished.  Salvation was delivered to us.  We just have to accept it.

But salvation is not a once and done thing.  There is a moment.  An instant when someone believes and salvation begins.

That if you confess with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved.

Romans 10:9-10

 We are also told to "work out our own salvation," (Philippians 2:12)  Think of it this way.  You train to be a doctor and graduate med school and eventually say the Hippocratic oath.  You're a doctor now  Yay!  What happens if you never show up for work after that?  You never practice medicine for the rest of your life.  Are you still a doctor?  Were you ever really a doctor?

Now, I'm not saying to question your salvation.  If you believe that Jesus was raised from the dead, and have confessed Jesus is Lord, you are saved...but it doesn't stop there.  If you truly believe that Jesus is Lord, you will behave and live a certain way.  Bearing fruit that comes from having Jesus in your life.  Remember his analogy about the vine and the branches?  (John 15)

We need to remain in him.  So we can bear fruit.  Fruit that comes from God, through Jesus, and out of us.  "Jesus is Lord," is not just a statement of fact.  It is a declaration of your devotion to him.

Salvation is not just an incantation at the end of a church service.  It is not an emotional response at a conference or retreat.  It's not just a moment in a small group or home gathering.  It very well may happen in one of those places or come out of situations like that, but it is so much more. 

It is a clear decisive choice that Jesus is Lord of your life. 

There will be changes in your life.  Some might be instant.  Others will take the rest of your life.  But they will come out of your love for him.  How you grow with him in your life and with others who follow him.

Unlike Private Ryan, we don't have to wonder if we earned it.  Because we can not earn the salvation that Jesus won for us.  Only he could.  But the good news is, because he won it, we don't have to wonder if we can have it.

It's already accomplished.  Salvation ≠ Recitation.  Saying the Hippocratic oath does not make you a doctor.  Saying the sinners prayer doesn't make you a follower of Jesus.  You have to actually follow him to be a follower.  And that is discipleship.  Learning about Jesus.  Who he is.  What he has done and taught.  Then, you go and teach others about Jesus.

grace, peace + hope-Bear

Out of Steam?

Sometimes is feels like we get all excited about something for a short period of time and then fizzle out.  Like this whole revolution thing.  Let me assure you, that as far as I am concerned this is just getting started.  I know there are many of you out there who share this idea.

Where are you?

Let us hear from you.  This is not about me.  This is not the Bear Show.  I'm blogging and writing because I have the time and this comes relatively easy to me.  Your story should be heard as well.  Tell us what you are doing.  Not as bragging, but a way to share what God is doing in you.  How he is transforming your life, and how that could be effecting others.

The Church is a community.  A body of believers.  Let's build that body up any way we can.  Some of you may be in other parts of Pennsylvania, or the other side of the country.  Some may even be on the other side of an ocean or two.  We can have community through the web.


Let us encourage one another!

For me today, I will say this.  Temptations.  They jump out at me all the time.  Some are new.  Some are old.  Habits, addictions, attitudes.  Things I thought I had walked away from.  I'd be lying if I said it was getting easier to turn them away.  To not give into them.  And they come everyday.  To buy more stuff that I don't really need.  To go to that website.  To get angry and lash out, or say hurtful things.

It's not easy to refuse them.  But the more I get to know Jesus.  The more time I spend learning the Father's voice.  The easier it is to run to him.  To cling to his words, the Word, and in doing so not give in to the temptations.  It is him who protects.  He is the Shield of Faith that puts out the fiery arrows of the enemy!

Please hear what I'm saying there.  It's not about me.  This is about God's work.  What he does in us when we draw closer to him.  And I for one have a very long way to go.  But his promises are true.  He is good.  He did give us the Comforter to help us and guide us.

When we run out of steam, it's because we're trying to fight sin with our own strength.  And that is like trying to out run a speeding train.  It's impossible.  But with God, all things are possible.  He is our strength.  Our deliverer.  Philippians 4 (12-14)

I know how to live on almost nothing or with everything. I have learned the secret of living in every situation, whether it is with a full stomach or empty, with plenty or little. For I can do everything through Christ, who gives me strength. Even so, you have done well to share with me in my present difficulty.

It doesn't matter if we have everything we need in life, or nothing.  Jesus is who we need more than anything.  And a supportive body of believers doesn't hurt either.  Paul says he knows how to survive, to carry on, but he encourages the Philippians for helping in his difficulty.

So, today, if God is doing something in/through you.  Share it.  With a humble heart to encourage us.  If you are struggling, or going through a difficulty, Share it.  At the very least (which isn't the least at all) we can pray for each other.

Have a day, be a blessing to those around you.

grace, peace + hope
-Bear