3 Right Responses to Salvation

In the past, my view of salvation was very simple.

As a child, I often watched Easter plays in Sunday school, which taught that Jesus’ death brings salvation. From there, I understood that Jesus’ death brings salvation to those who believe. And I came to the conclusion that when I accepted Jesus as Lord and Savior, I was already saved.

However, there was also a time when I grew up, when I often thought, “Then it’s so easy to become a Christian. Jesus died in such terrible suffering, while I do nothing and only have to believe. Is that really so?”

What should the right response be to the salvation we have received?

3 Ways to Respond to Salvation Rightly

1. Be Thankful through Actions

If asked about salvation, many Christians today will answer: I am grateful. However, surely gratitude alone is not enough. It must continue into action, action.

Have you ever read the story of the ten lepers whom Jesus healed? If you have forgotten, or want to know the details, you can read it in Luke 17:11-19. 

That passage tells how one day, Jesus healed ten lepers on His journey. What is interesting here is that out of those ten, only one came back to thank Jesus. 

Were the other nine lepers whom Jesus healed not grateful? I believe they certainly were all grateful. Yet sadly, those nine lepers momentarily forgot Who had healed them, so they did not return to Jesus and express their thanks.

It may be that those nine were too caught up in their joy. They may have immediately busied themselves making plans for the things they wanted to do, such as  returning to their families and  communities.

But this one leper, as soon as he realized that he had been healed (Luke 17:15-16), ran to Jesus and glorified God with a loud voice. This one leper, who was a Samaritan , fell at Jesus’ feet and gave thanks to Him.

Are We Grateful?

Like them, we are people who are sick spiritually. When we confess our sins, repent, and are baptized, we also receive healing. But how do we respond to that healing? Do we remember Jesus and glorify His name like that one leper did?

That gratitude is what should motivate us to glorify God. But how do we give thanks for the healing God has already given? Here are things we can do:

• pray and give thanks for our forgiveness and healing
• be an example in our actions and words (1 Timothy 4:12). In this way, others can see God in our lives, because we are different.
• no longer live in sin, but live in righteousness (Romans 6:13). Or in other words, put off the old self and put on the new self (Ephesians 4:24).

Leaving sin and living righteously is indeed not easy. However, gratitude for the salvation God has granted will give you the strength to leave behind the old self.

For example, the one who used to steal becomes someone who likes to give (Ephesians 4:28). The one who used to speak filthy words becomes someone who likes to encourage others (Ephesians 4:29). We who used to be easily provoked become patient, forgiving, and do not hold grudges (Ephesians 4:32)

 2. Not Squandering God’s Gift of Salvation

Salvation is the greatestgracegift of God to humanity. Who would not be happy, if all their sins and transgressions were forgiven? However, if we are not careful, the way we view salvation can change. Salvation, which is a costly gift, can become something ordinary. It may even no longer be valuable . 

Brothers and sisters, you were called to be free. But do not use your freedom as an opportunity for life in sin; rather, serve one another in love. – Galatians 5:13  

Without realizing it, as Christians we can take lightly the salvation God gives. How? By continuing to play around with sin and thinking, “After all God is all-forgiving. God has redeemed my sin. If I sin, I only need to ask God for forgiveness again. God will forgive and cleanse me again. Done.”

Because the Lord Jesus has already redeemed our sins, we can repeat that sin and later it will surely be forgiven. Is that true?

Certainly not. A famous Brazilian novelist, Paulo Coelho, said this:

A mistake made more than once is a decision. 

Repeating a mistake again and again will become a decision, a conviction.

That is certainly not God’s plan. If that is our way of thinking, something is wrong with the attitude of our hearts.

Do not be deceived! God is not mocked. For whatever a person sows, that he will also reap. – Galatians 6:7   

Freedom from sin should not become an opportunity for us to play around with sin. Indeed, God is most loving, forgiving, and full of grace, but remember that in time we will reap what we sow. Let us use salvation to live better lives, for God’s glory, not for our own benefit.

3. Work Out Salvation Diligently

So, how should we use that salvation? Let us look at Paul. After receiving salvation, Paul did not remain idle. In 1 Corinthians 15:10, he says,

“But by the grace of God I am what I am, and His grace bestowed on me was not in vain. On the contrary, I worked harder than all of them; yet not I, but the grace of God that was with me.”

This is how we should view salvation. Not as an opportunity to remain idle, much less to be lazy. Instead, we should use the time and opportunity we have to be even more diligent in giving and glorifying God while we are still alive. 

“Therefore, my beloved brothers and sisters, as you have always obeyed, continue to work out your salvation with fear and trembling, not only as in my presence but much more now in my absence, for it is God who works in you both to will and to act according to His good pleasure.” – Philippians 2:12-13

Gratitude combined with our desire to glorify God will drive us to work out that salvation. And with God at work within us, surely we can be confident that all our efforts will one day bear sweet fruit.

How do we do that? We can read God’s word more deeply, live holy lives, and also introduce God to the people around us. 

So great are God’s gift and grace toward us. So magnificent is the salvation He gives. The question today is, how do we respond to that salvation? Have we done anything as a response and expression of gratitude? 

This is the time for us to keep standing firm in working out our salvation. Come on, keep striving, keep bearing fruit, keep pressing on until God calls us home. Stay encouraged!

Reference: www.goodreads.com/quotes/1460902-and-a-mistake-repeated-more-than-once-is-a-decision -  Related Articles:

• Jesus Has Risen: What Does It Mean for Our Resurrection?
• Adopt These 2 Habits So Your Life Glorifies God
• God’s Love Language
• Why, What, and How Should We Be Thankful?
• When Saying Thank You Is Not as Easy as It Looks

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