It’s more than just having your sins forgiven

Good morning everyone,

Our theme for this month: “Salvation past, present, and future”

Our Bible verse for today: “Like newborn infants, desire the pure milk of the word, so that you may grow up into your salvation.” 1 Peter 2:2 (CSB)

Our thought for today: “It’s more than just having your sins forgiven”

Usually when Christians think of salvation we think of a one-time event when a person prays and asks Jesus to forgive their sins. In that moment their sins are forgiven and the person has the assurance of going to heaven instead of hell.

Although that one-time event is part of the plan of salvation, it is just a part of it. The Biblical doctrine of salvation involves more than that. Salvation is a one-time event, that’s true, but it’s also an ongoing reality and a future promise. Salvation provides for the forgiveness of our sins; and it provides us an ongoing sense of security in this lifetime; and it offers us the promise of eternity in heaven.

There are several paradoxes associated with the truth of salvation. A paradox is a situation where two seemingly contradictory things are both true at the same time. Salvation is both free and costly; also, it is a gift and yet it requires something of us; and it is permanent and therefore cannot be lost, but it must also be safeguarded and treated as the precious thing it is. The full doctrine of salvation is complex and involves actions by the Father, the Son, the Holy Spirit, and by us. We will think about all these aspects of salvation this month.

In 1 Peter 2:2 Peter urges us to “grow up into our salvation.” This clues us into the fact that salvation is something that has already occurred if you have placed your faith in Christ (that one-time event), and yet, according to Peter, there is more to it (not something more required to be saved but something more to do because you have been saved).

In that verse Peter refers to a newborn infant. For a newborn infant who has already experienced birth there is now a growing and maturing process that must take place so the life that comes after birth can be fully realized. So too, just as the birth experience is only the beginning for the newborn infant, the moment of having your sins forgiven is just the beginning for the new Christian. Salvation is a one-time event, but it is also an ongoing reality that should bring with it growth and maturity – just like for that infant. And then, salvation carries on into eternity.

Salvation is so much more than just having your sins forgiven. It is the start of a new and wonderful life with Jesus that continues for all the days of your life and then on into eternity.

God bless,
Pastor Jim

(If you like what you are reading in these daily devotionals, and if you would like more content from Oak Hill Baptist Church, join us on Sundays at 10:00, in-person if you are nearby or, if you are geographically distant or if you just can’t make it, online at www.YouTube.com/@oakhillbaptistcrossville

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