c. scott andreas

this is part three in a multi-part series

Over the last week, I have begun to explore the “purpose” of salvation. As I progress, I’m beginning to think that the word “purpose” may be inaccurate. I identified the purpose in “foundations [ii]” (with the help of a musically-gifted friend) which is perhaps not all that surprising. However, its widespread acceptedness does not mitigate its truth (unlike many a cliché). The purpose will remain the same, yesterday, today, and forever.

Instead, what I’m interested in exploring is its result. What does it bring about in us? How are we changed? What are its implications?

On Wednesday, I stated that we must set our sights far higher than salvation as an end in and of itself, but rather upon the glory of God. But what does this mean? Let’s look first at salvation itself. If you are an evangelical protestant, odds are pretty good that you associate “getting saved” with sitting a Gospel-bearing friend who is speaking perhaps with the aid of a tract or systematic arrangement of Bible verses and praying a scripted “sinners’ prayer.” Following repentance is a sigh and a proclamation: “Wow, I feel…better.”

And by no means is there anything wrong with that. I’m a product of it. I apologize if the language appears cynical. My only criticism lies in the manner in which we have “systematized” the Gospel of Christ. I am not convinced that it needs to be (or should be). I’ll discuss this in a later post (or perhaps a series, if you’re lucky).

That said, I find it curious that we are not immediately transformed into a wisp of water droplets rising speedily heavenward.

I take this to mean one of two things:
   - Salvation is meaningless.
   - We remain for a purpose.

Personal experience and stories of absolutely amazing adventures with God has taught me that the latter is the case.

But what is that purpose of salvation and repentance? Now that we have access to — and even more, drink of — the Living Water (John 4), what are we to do? Jeremiah 29:8 likens “the man who trusts in the Lord” to “a tree that sends out its roots by the stream” (ESV). Are we to consume as much Water as we can, growing tall and fat by its abundant provision, constantly laying out deeper, more extensive roots?

Certainly.

But Christ speaks of something more:

“Bear fruit in keeping with repentance.”
- Matthew 3:8 (ESV)

In this particular passage (see Chapter 3), Jesus was speaking to many Pharisees and Sadducees who were approaching John the Baptist to be baptized. In much harsher words than these, he told them that they had good reason to fear God. To them, he commanded: “bear fruit in keeping with repentance” (emphasis mine).

Pharisaical comparisons are quite fashionable. I do not intend to draw a parallel between the false piety of the Pharisees and Christ-followers who do not practice what follows. My interest lies in an analytical comparison of the “fruitlessness” of the Pharisees and the “fruitlessness” of Christ-followers.

I almost prefer the manner in which New King James renders the passage. While the ESV’s phrase “in keeping with” establishes a relationship between fruit and repentance, its nature is somewhat vague. The NKJV states: “Therefore bear fruits worthy of repentance” (emphasis mine).

“Christianity” as we have constructed it houses many hot-button theological issues. Among them: predestination vs. free will, rapture vs. Heaven descending, eternal security vs. “Lose Your Salvation in Two Easy Steps,” and a host of others. Another popular dichotomy: faith vs. works.

I submit that salvation is by grace through faith (Eph 2:8).
But I further contend that a saving faith will result in a change of action.

look for more soon.

grace and peace,

-c. scott andreas