Why (not how) Were You Saved?

Articles From Our Bulletins

Philip C. Strong
05/27/20 - Bulletin Articles

Of course God wants you to “come to the knowledge of the truth” and be eternally saved in heaven with Him- He wants that for everyone, 1Timothy 2:4. This is the ultimate end goal. But for many Christians, they obeyed the gospel of salvation (1Corthians 15:1-5; Mark 16:15-16) in their youth or young adulthood. Is just trying to “remain faithful” for the rest of their lives in order to go to heaven the sole objective of salvation? Don’t misunderstand- such is surely important (cf. Hebrews 3:12), but is that all there is to it? Again, “Why were you saved?”

It was not just:

So you could have a better or more blessed life here- though such may happen, it may not, cp. Matthew 5:3-10 and Matthew 10:38-39;
So you could have a better family or family life here- though the gospel will make you a better husband, wife, parent, child, etc., it may also cost you your family, cp. Ephesians 5:22 – 6:4 and Matthew 10:34-37;
To make you a better person here- it can make you better, Ephesians 4:25 – 5:10, or it might just make you sad and/or bitter, Matthew 19:13-22; 27:3-5; or,
To make a better citizen here- again, it can do just that, Romans 13:1-7, or it might make you a worse citizen, Acts 4:18-20; 5:29.

Obviously, your obedience to the gospel may accomplish any of these things. But they are not “why” you were saved. You see, your salvation is not JUST about you. It is so easy in our present culture to become “me” oriented. Most everything is judged by how it affects “me”- my life, my family, my job, my citizenship, and even my relationships. Unfortunately for some, their own salvation is also apparently all that matters to them. It is the “why” they were saved, at least in their own minds. But there is a major problem with this type of thinking….

Question: Is that the way Jesus lived? Is that the way Jesus taught us to think, feel, and act? Is that the example He left us to follow? “Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children; and walk in love, just as Christ also loved you, and gave Himself up for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God as a fragrant aroma,” Ephesians 5:1-2. Think about this passage, please. Was His loving sacrifice offered to enable us to be better people and citizens, and have better lives and families or family life? Certainly not, it was to save us from sin, and enable us to have a better ETERNITY than eternal damnation! However, don’t stop here…

Remember also that God wants salvation for everyone, (don’t forget 1Timothy 2:4). So consider some additional passages in these regards, and answer a few questions:

Matthew 13:23. Exactly what is the “fruit” that is to be born? (cf. John 15:8)
Romans 7:4. Again, what “fruit” is to be produced from our being “joined” to our spiritual Husband? (cf. Ephesians 5:23ff)
Hebrews 6:7-8. In keeping with the imagery of seed, soil, and rain, what are we to be producing that is “useful” to the Master? (cf. 2Timothy 2:21)

OK, I know- I’ve cited a lot of passages, but have not directly answered the question posed in our title: “Why were you saved?” If it’s not JUST to attain heaven and avoid hell when we die, what is it? Note 1Peter 2:9-10 carefully, “But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for God’s own possession, that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; for you were once not a people, but now you are the people of God; you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy.” Of course “personal salvation” is part of the purpose, as v.10 clearly indicates. But, v.9 also provides a purpose- “that (a purpose word) you may proclaim the excellencies of Him who called you…”! Thus, my salvation is not just about “me,” but also includes what I can and should do for the salvation of others. Please reread the parable of “The Unmerciful Slave” in Matthew 18:21-35; and then consider carefully and personally v.33 relative to all that has been said above, “Should you not also have had mercy on your fellow-slave, even as I had mercy on you?” All who have been saved by God’s mercy have the obligation to share the same with other needful fellow-slaves, don’t we? Think about it, won’t you?