Work Shop Working Out Our Salvation

One of the harmful errors of current Evangelical teaching is the emphasis placed on an initial acceptance of Christ as our Savior. In fact, accepting Christ has become a ticket to Heaven rather than a start on the narrow way that leads to eternal life.

Part of our misunderstanding arises from our definition of what it means to be "saved." When we define being saved as holding a ticket that will admit us to Heaven when we die, we are in error. Holding a ticket that will admit us to Heaven when we die is not what it means to be saved.

To be saved, in the scriptural sense of the world, is to be saved from the world and brought into the Kingdom of God; to be saved from the lusts and passions of our sinful personality and brought into freedom from the bondages of sin; to be saved from our adamic will and thinking, and all idolatry, and brought into the rest of God, the abiding place in the center of God's fiery Person. To be saved is to acquire a hatred of wickedness and a love for iron righteousness, fiery holiness, and stern obedience to God.

We have seen then that salvation is a lifelong discipleship. Each day we should be further from the chains of worldliness, lust, and self-will. Each day a part of our adamic personality should die and the Life of Christ should be formed in its place. Each day we should be further from the person and works of Satan and closer to the Person and works of God.

Primary Scriptures

I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world. (John 16:33)

Therefore, my dear friends, as you have always obeyed—not only in my presence, but now much more in my absence—continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, (Phil 2:12)

Therefore, since Christ suffered in his body, arm yourselves also with the same attitude, because he who has suffered in his body is done with sin. As a result, he does not live the rest of his earthly life for evil human desires, but rather for the will of God. (1 Peter 4:1-2)

So then, those who suffer according to God's will should commit themselves to their faithful Creator and continue to do good. (1 Peter 4:19)

Essential Points of Emphasis

Receiving Christ is the beginning of our transformation from the old creation to the new creation. Each day we are pressing into more abundant eternal life. Our adamic personality is decreasing and Christ is increasing. Each day God is making all things new in our personality. The gate is small and the way is constricted that lead to eternal life, that lead to the Father. And we are going through that gate and walking on that path every day.

Suggested References

Death or Life?; The Gift of an Opportunity ; Salvation Is Deliverance From Sin

Follow up Activities

Answer Review Questions for this topic. 49

List additional Scriptures which support this concept.

Summarize this topic in your own words in one paragraph.

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