Image from Wikimedia CommonsThere's a lot of misunderstanding out there about what the word "salvation" actually means. Here's something that can illuminate our reflections on the subject:
There are a number of Hebrew words about salvation which also mean "to bring into a spacious environment", "to be at one's ease", "to be free to develop". "Salvation" can be seen then as the new life in Christ, in which we are to be "free to develop" into Christ-like people. For this maturing to take place, there needs to be a breaking down of barriers, a breaking up of the soil of our personalities, and a healing of inner wounds and hurts. The soil is softened, the clay becomes malleable through the experience of the tender love of God and the accepting, non-judgmental love of Christians. We cannot be beaten into shape.
That last sentence is very, very important and a lot of Christians today don't understand it at all.
How sad that "the accepting, non judgmental love of Christians" is so rarely seen. In fact, it is often just the opposite.
ReplyDeleteannie c
Yes, I completely agree with you, Annie. It's hard to understand and sort through.
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