Redeemed

In my forty plus years on this earth I have encountered so many people claiming that they love God, that they are Christians, that even if living in sin they know that they will be going to heaven because they are living in the dispensational grace age, and that all people are saved. What bothers me the most is that so many of these Christians I happen to come in contact with are outrageously living in sin and not obeying the Father's commands to be holy, love one another, follow Jesus teachings and obey his commands. As I read the words of Jesus in my bible and analyze various statements common to so many people, I can't but ask myself if we really understand what Jesus taught and what he really wants from us all believers.

I came to question the notion of the words “being saved” so widely used in the Christians' churches. How do we know that we are saved? What does “being saved” mean in relation to Jesus main teachings in Matthew chapters 5 to 7 and Luke 6. What did Jesus taught? And what was the purpose of his teaching? I am not claiming that I know the answer to all things, but I know that although Jesus loved all sinners he also would tell the people he was dealing with to go and sin no more.

We read that Satan tempted Jesus in the desert and that he came out victorious from the temptations. Matthew 4:17 states, “From that time on Jesus began to preach, ‘Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near.'” What is he talking about? What is the kingdom of heaven? When reading carefully the words of Jesus in my bible, I don't see anywhere where he demanded that people be saved. However, at the conclusion of his physical journey on earth after the resurrection and before returning to the Father he stated that people will be saved when his followers do certain things (Mark 16:15-18). The main facets of his teaching philosophy involve repentance, being born again, obeying the commandments and understanding and applying the basic principles of the kingdom of God. He declared that he didn't come to destroy the laws and the prophets but to fulfill them.

Matthew chapters 5 to 7 and Luke 6 defined to me clearly the basic philosophy of the kingdom of God and the mindset that should characterize his citizens. How do I reconcile the words “being saved” and Jesus' teachings? Why do I consider myself redeemed? Here is how I see the progression and implication of being born again accomplished in a sinner's life. Here is how I see the Father and us working together for the kingdom of God to be manifested in earth as it is in heaven, and for us to be the light and salt he created us to be.

First, Jesus stated that he came to call sinners to repentance, to save the world and not judge it (Luke 5:32; John 12:47). However, in Matthew 7:14 he said that small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it. He wanted people to change their worldly ways of thinking and behaving to adopt the kingdom's principles of thinking and doing. Thus, he taught the kingdom principles outlined in Matthew chapters 5 to 7 and Luke 6.

Second, he stated that in order to see and enter the kingdom of God we needed to be born again of water and the Spirit (John 3:3, 5). In John 6:65 his words are that no one can come to him unless the Father enabled him. Moreover, he stated that we were chosen and appointed to go and bear fruit (John 15:16). Are you bearing fruit? Is your being saved only a statement in words, or is it being manifested in words and actions?

Third, Jesus said in John 12:26 that once we accept his words as truth, we must serve and follow him. To me having faith in him is accepting his word as truth. He provided a new command in John 13:34-35 to love one another because his disciples will be recognized by their love one for another. He also stated that those who love him will keep his commands as he has kept his fathers' commands (John 14:21, 23, 31). As we love one another and remain in the Father's love we will start bearing fruit (John 15:4-5; 7-8). Since the only thing that counts is faith expressing itself through love, are you living in love and bearing fruit? (Galatians 5:6).

Fourth, since we love Jesus and obey his commands he will make sure that we receive the Spirit of truth that will be living in us and enabling us to produce much fruit (John 14:15-21). The Spirit of truth who is the Holy Spirit will teach us all things, testify of Jesus and remind us of everything Jesus has said (John 14:26). Our lives will be characterized by the freedom from sin provided by Christ and an over abundance of the fruit of the Spirit which is, love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control (Galatians 5:22-23). Do you have the peace of God that surpasses all understanding? Do you see the manifestations of the fruit of the Spirit in your life?

Fifth, as we are being led by the Holy Father we will be able to hear him. Jesus said that his sheep, those who belong to him, hear the Father's voice and another voice they will not follow. Moreover, they who hear his words and believe the Father will have eternal life (John 5:24-25; 8:47; 10:27). He strongly stated that everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock (Matthew 7:24). Are you hearing and following him?

We can know that we are truly born again because the kingdom of God is manifest through our lives in righteousness, peace and joy in the Holy Spirit (Romans 14:17). Also we can know that we are furthering the Father's Kingdom philosophy in this earth by looking at the types of fruit we produce. In so doing we will then be able to take pride in ourselves by testing our own actions (Galatians 6:4). Only when we agree with the teachings of Jesus, trust, follow him, be led by the Spirit, love one another, bear fruit and do the Father's will can we say that we are truly redeemed. Are you?

Blessed are those who hear the Word of God and obey it! (Luke 11:28)

Marie Monaus 1 Sep '08