Salvation

The first result to come from our application of forest theology is a new understanding of salvation. Salvation is what we find Jesus talking about most, with ethics coming in a close second. So it's good that our analysis has led us first to what Jesus considered most important. Our view of salvation is based upon the gospels, rather than the epistles. This is an important shift, and is based on our hermeneutical premise that the bible is a human book, complete with mistakes and biases and false teachings, that we must sift for information relevant to our culture and world. We find Paul's doctrine of salvation to be philosophically inconsistent, and spiritually rather cold. A legal contract between you and God with all sorts of riders attached does not seem to be what Jesus had in mind when he spoke of eternal life.

Instead we look to Jesus himself for our theory of salvation, and what we find is that salvation is living a life imbued with the presence of God. The early church did not have the New Testament, because they did not need it. They had Jesus. Those of us who follow him all have him as well. We do not need a priest or pastor or teacher to stand between us and interpret his words for us. We can hear directly from him daily.

Jesus told everyone who asked about salvation to follow him, to trust in him, to do the things that he does. Jesus demanded action, not a signature on an insurance policy. The action we must take is to follow his example. We are to treat people the way we want to be treated, love God, and forgive those who harm us. Notice that "following" is not perfection. We can never be perfect, but all God asks of us is to be on the right path. The language Jesus uses is that of a master and an apprentice, or a teacher and a disciple. The apprentice will not produce masterwork, but she can be learning, improving, and growing. This is what Jesus requires of us, that we be his apprentices, his disciples. We try, in our own frail, human way, to do what he does. It's really that simple.

Let me try to explain how we can spot salvation in a person. There are two kinds of people in the world, givers and takers. Takers are the ones like the Pharisees who Jesus condemns. These people live their lives only for themselves, and they take from those around them (emotionally, financially, and physically) in order to build themselves up. These are the assholes of the world. You all know some of them. Some of these people are sick, and with help can leave their life of destruction. Many of these people claim to be Christians but their lust for power and control over others shows that they are not. The second kind of person is the giver. The giver builds up the people around him. The giver is generous financially and brings joy and life to other people. Givers create, build, and raise.

Since God's greatest creation is human beings, how we treat other human beings determines whether we are saved or not. Those who are followers of God become better and better givers. Whenever we harm another person, we are acting directly against God.

What this means in practical terms for each person is different. Some people will be drawn to helping others financially, some to help others emotionally, and some physically. Some people will simply be there with an ear to listen to the problems people have, while others might actually work in a job that lets them help people. There are millions of ways to follow the master. God will call each of us to a different life, because God loves diversity. But the life of salvation is marked by its outward flow, into the lives of other people, rather than an inward flow.

People who follow Jesus are marked by kindness, generosity, care, honesty, joy, and love. Notice I said marked. We are not perfectly kind, nor always generous, nor honest at every moment. We are still human, but our striving and our direction is toward improvement. Thus, there is no guilt necessary. Legalistic religion rolls right off us. Our salvation is secure as long as we follow him.

Comments

[Remnant]

we, as the Body of Christ, have a lot of work to do, to make sure that the people of this world don't miss the coming kingdom Greatest Man who was ever born of woman ...
His Kingdom is so far above all the kingdoms of the world ...
I don't want anyone to miss Jesus!