Saturday, September 9, 2017

Confusion Among Us

"Even so it is that Christ, having been offered to take upon Himself and bear as a burden the sins of many once and once for all, will appear a second time, not to carry any burden of sin nor to deal with sin, but to bring to full salvation those who are [eagerly, constantly, and patiently] waiting for and expecting Him."
Hebrews 9:28 AMPC

"For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ."
1 Thess 5:9

We ARE NOT saved yet.  We are being saved and we are appointed to salvation if we have entrusted ourselves to Him.

No doubt, confusion arises when we continually use the phrases such as, "I was saved when I was a kid," or "before I was saved," or "many were saved at camp last week." Those who are now labelled as "saved" may not understand that they are BEING saved, likely on a daily basis, as they sin in some way, become afraid, anxious, stressed out and pressured into doubting by the world only to finally realize that He is enough and obtain peace and encouragement.  

Romans 5:10 "...it is much more [certain], now that we are reconciled, that we shall be saved (daily delivered from sins's dominion) through His [resurrection] life." AMPC

We are being saved until He appears to bring us to our appointed full salvation.  I firmly believe that the confusing use of the term "saved" as if it is a complete present state is part of a burden of misunderstanding that leads those who are born again into a reflexive self-effort state of mind, such as, "How can I be saved if I'm acting like this?  I'd better make a prayer list and pray more, read His Word longer every day and make myself draw closer to Him so I can fix this."

Wouldn't it be more correct and less confusing to say "born again" when speaking of those who made the decision for Christ?

For the story and message of the cross is sheer absurdity and folly to those who are perishing and on their way to perdition, but to us who are being saved it is the [manifestation of] the power of God.
1 Cor. 1:18

For we are the sweet fragrance of Christ [which exhales] unto God, [discernible alike] among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing:
2 Cor. 2:15

...you, who are being guarded (garrisoned) by God's power through your faith [till you fully inherit that final] salvation that is ready to be revealed [for you] in the last time.  1 Peter 1:5