Salvation is often thought of as a means in which we get to heaven after we die. It is true, we must be saved in order to get to heaven, and the hope of eternity with Jesus is the center of salvation. But salvation bears fruit in our earthly lives as well. Salvation is not simply a ticket to a better future, it is a change that takes place and has an effect now.
Ephesians 2:8-9 is often used to demonstrate that salvation is by God‘s grace and receive through faith, not works. We are forgiven our sins and reconcile to God because of what Jesus did on the cross.
“For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God, not of works, that no one would boast.”
Because of this we are saved, we are free from the penalty of sin, and granted eternal life. Eternal life speaks of quality and quantity of life, and it begins when we are saved. Our time on earth is a taste of all God has in store for us, but it is much affected by our salvation. We see this evidence right in Ephesians.
“For we are His workmanship, created in Messiah Yeshua for good works, which God prepared before that we would walk in them” – Ephesians 2:10
Clearly, God has a plan for us on earth.
2 Corinthians 5:17 tells us all who are in Christ are new creations. Jesus said that He came that those who believe in Him may have life and have it abundantly. in John 10:10 and John 15 Jesus talks about abiding in Him and bearing fruit. There are many times when Jesus calls His followers to obedience, linking it to our showing love for Him and experiencing joy in Him.
In Matthew 28:18-20 Jesus gives us the Great Commission. And the apostle Paul echoes the fact that believers have been “given the ministry of reconciliation.” (2 Corinthians 5). This shows us that salvation affects us, and when we become new, we bare fruit and share God‘s message in the hope and forgiveness with others.
When we are made new and barefoot, we can actually experience a more satisfying life on earth. Our entire perspective changes when we are saved we begin to see the darkness in this fallen world for what it is, and we recognize the light of God. we are not only freed from eternal death because of sin, but by the enslaving power that sin that has over our lives.
While we may still struggle with sin, we also know that in the joy of forgiveness we can experience the Holy Spirit’s transforming and enabling work to help us be free of sin. we gain a godly perspective of this world and we can endure. Rather than attempting to see meaning through earthly pleasures or world success, and we can rest in the fact that we are loved by the Creator of the Universe.
We can more appreciate things like beauty and joy because we the One who created it. Being able to recognize our earthly experience as a mere shadow of what will one day be. We are able to experience God’s Shalom peace.
When we are saved, we are invited into a relationship with God through Jesus. It becomes more than just a destination for our after lives because we are children of the living God. We have access to our Father through prayer. In Jesus, we have someone who understands our weaknesses and sympathizes with us (Hebrews 4). we also have the Holy Spirit who reveals truth and enables us to live a righteous life. (John 14:13-17).
Salvation frees us from condemnation, and secures us firmly in God‘s love making us heirs which affects our lives on earth (Romans 8)
It is because we are saved, but we can know the truth, experience, freedom, and join in God‘s work in the world. We can rest knowing that our hope in Him will be fully realized.
Salvation is about the afterlife, but it is also about so much more.
“Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly than all that we ask or think, according to the power at work within us, to be Him the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations forever and ever“- Ephesians 3:20-21
From Pity to Praise 