{"id":1073,"date":"2009-08-03T12:16:00","date_gmt":"2009-08-03T16:16:00","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.danielgoepfrich.com\/?p=1073"},"modified":"2022-10-24T19:45:27","modified_gmt":"2022-10-24T23:45:27","slug":"what-is-salvation-without-heaven-response","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.theologyisforeveryone.com\/what-is-salvation-without-heaven-response\/","title":{"rendered":"What is salvation without heaven? (response)"},"content":{"rendered":"

Several weeks ago I started what turned out to be a great conversation on this blog<\/a> and my Facebook page<\/a> when I asked:<\/p>

Heaven is good incentive, but it\u2019s not salvation. Without using Heaven as a hook, if I were not a believer, how would you approach me with your faith?<\/em><\/strong><\/p>

Don\u2019t promise me something in the future. Give me something now. What does your faith have to offer me?<\/p><\/blockquote>

I want to thank everyone who contributed to that conversation. You all made some great points. So, let me show you where I stand here.<\/p>

I think the question has a built-in mis-lead. Asking, \u201cWhat is salvation without heaven?\u201d, led many people down a track on heaven itself. But what if we just drop the last two words: \u201cWhat is salvation?\u201d<\/strong> It doesn\u2019t change the question, just the focus.<\/p>

So, what is salvation? I believe the Scriptures give us the answer using four prepositions: from<\/em>, by<\/em>, through<\/em>, and for<\/em>. Let\u2019s take a look.<\/p>

From what?<\/h3>

The most basic form of the gospel (good news) is in 1 Timothy 1:15<\/a>, where Paul wrote, \u201cChrist Jesus came into the world to save sinners.\u201d<\/em> That\u2019s the essence of God\u2019s good news \u2013 Jesus saves sinners<\/strong>.<\/p>

That automatically gives us the \u201cwho\u201d \u2013 Jesus does the saving; sinners are saved.  The word \u201csave\u201d<\/em> means \u201cto preserve, rescue, keep from harm, deliver\u201d<\/em>. But from<\/em><\/strong> what<\/em><\/strong> did Jesus come to save sinners? The answer is two-fold:<\/p>

\u201cShe will give birth to a son and you will name him Jesus, because <\/em>he will save his people <\/em>from their sins<\/em><\/span><\/strong>.\u201d<\/em> Matthew 1:21<\/a><\/p>

\u201cBecause we have now been declared righteous by his blood, <\/em>we will be saved through him <\/em>from God\u2019s wrath<\/em><\/span><\/strong>.\u201d<\/em> Romans 5:9<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>

Sinners are saved from their sins and from God\u2019s wrath. Honestly, even if heaven weren\u2019t in the picture, that\u2019s a great place to start. Anyone who is honest with themselves knows that it\u2019s hard to break the habits and patterns of personal sin. What if there were something or someone who could truly deliver us from our sins?<\/p>

And no one who at least acknowledges that there could be a God out there somewhere wants to be on his bad side. I mean, who wants to stand across from an all-powerful God, especially if we don\u2019t know what he\u2019s mad about? If there were only a way to get on his good side, out from under his wrath.<\/p>

By what?<\/h3>

OK, so Jesus came to save sinners from their sins and God\u2019s wrath. That must be an expensive transaction. It would take something pretty big to absolve me completely before God, to move me from a position of an enemy against God to become his friend.<\/p>

That\u2019s exactly how Paul describes it: \u201cWhile we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of his Son.\u201d<\/em> (Romans 5:10<\/a>)<\/p>

What could I possible to do earn that? Paul gives us that answer, too:<\/p>

\u201cFor <\/em>by grace<\/em><\/strong> you are saved through faith, and this is not from yourselves, <\/em>it is the gift of God<\/em><\/strong>; it is <\/em>not from works<\/em><\/strong>, so that no one can boast.\u201d<\/em> Ephesians 2:8-9<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>

How many times can he say it in one breath? \u201cBy grace\u2026gift of God\u2026not from works\u2026\u201d<\/em> Can it be any clearer? This salvation \u2013 this deliverance from sin and wrath (which means certain judgment) \u2013 is not available for purchase. It is a gift, given by grace. In this context, grace<\/em> is \u201ca beneficent disposition toward someone\u201d.<\/p>

By it\u2019s very definition \u201cbenevolence\u201d is not bought; it can only be given. And, just to make sure we don\u2019t miss it, Paul clarifies that the reason it is given as a gift is \u201cso that no one can boast\u201d.<\/p>

One of the defining characteristics of this ungodly world system in which we live is \u201cpride in our achievements and possessions\u201d (1 John 2:16, NLT<\/a>), which is clearly not from God. If there was anything we could do to earn this deliverance from sin and wrath, we would have grounds for arrogance before God. But that option is not on the table. It\u2019s not for purchase \u2013 it\u2019s a free gift from a benevolent God.<\/p>

\u201cFor the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord.\u201d<\/em> Romans 6:23, NLT<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>

Through what?<\/h3>

OK, so if I can\u2019t earn it \u2013 if this salvation is given solely as a gracious act from a benevolent God \u2013 how do I get it? Is there a drive-through window, a coupon I have to redeem? And where would I go to redeem it? Church? Which one? And why doesn\u2019t everyone just have it automatically?<\/p>

Paul answers that in the same thought: \u201cFor by grace you are saved through faith<\/strong>\u2026\u201d<\/em> (Ephesians 2:8<\/a>) Faith is the key. While we cannot earn God\u2019s salvation gift through something we can do, not everyone receives it because it comes through a channel of faith on the part of each individual person. Faith in what?<\/p>

\u201cIf you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.\u201d<\/em> Romans 10:9<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>

In this section in his letter to the Roman Christians, Paul was quoting from the Old Testament prophet, Joel. In his prophecy, Joel was telling his audience how to be delivered from God\u2019s coming judgment. His solution? Cry out to God, using his personal name, confessing their sins, and asking for deliverance (see Joel 2:32<\/a>).<\/p>

By referring back to this old prophecy, Paul identified Jesus as the God of the Old Testament \u2013 \u201cthe LORD\u201d \u2013 and said that salvation from sin and wrath happens the same today as it did back then. The only difference is that now, instead of anticipating a coming Savior, we can look back to the Savior who has already come \u2013 God in the flesh, Jesus the Christ.<\/p>

The faith part comes in when a person acknowledges that Jesus was more than a mere man, a good teacher, a miracle-worker. When you and I recognize Jesus for who he really is \u2013 God himself \u2013 truly believe that his death was the cure for sin, and that his resurrection was genuine (not just a made-up story), \u201cyou will be saved\u201d<\/em><\/strong>.<\/p>

Why? Because there is not enough evidence in all the world that can prove it to be true. It must be taken \u201cthrough faith\u201d<\/strong>. And when a person is willing to trust God to the extent that he or she stops trying to fix themselves and submits completely to God\u2019s deliverance, his gift comes freely.<\/p>

For what?<\/h3>

The last part of salvation is also found in Ephesians 2. Here\u2019s the whole section together:<\/p>

\u201cFor by grace you are saved through faith, and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God; it is not from works, so that no one can boast. For we are his workmanship, having been created in Christ Jesus for good works<\/strong> that God prepared beforehand so we may do them.\u201d<\/em> Ephesians 2:8-10<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>

So, salvation is a free gift given by a benevolent God to sinners who trust him entirely to deliver them from their sins and his wrath. And there\u2019s more? Yep!<\/p>

Not only are we reconciled to God (changed from enemies to friends), not only are our sins removed from us, not only is God\u2019s wrath for our sins removed from us, but we are given something in place of all of that \u2013 a reason to live<\/strong>.<\/p>

With salvation comes a brand new purpose in live \u2013 \u201cgood works that God prepared beforehand\u201d<\/em>.<\/p>

Too many people walk through life with no purpose, no direction, searching for meaning beyond work and home. God offers that meaning. With salvation from sin and wrath comes purpose.<\/p>

Notice that it is not \u201cgood works for salvation\u201d<\/em>; it\u2019s \u201csalvation for good works\u201d<\/em>. The difference is night and day.<\/p>

Conclusion<\/h3>

So what is salvation without heaven<\/em>? If heaven were not a part of the picture, if you couldn\u2019t count on that, what do you have?<\/p>

  • Deliverance (freedom) from sin<\/li>
  • Deliverance from God\u2019s wrath (judgment) hanging over you<\/li>
  • A free gift from a benevolent (gracious) God<\/li>
  • A brand new standing with this God (friends, not enemies)<\/li>
  • A whole new meaning and purpose to your life<\/li><\/ul>

    Even without heaven, even without an afterlife of paradise, that sounds like a pretty good deal to me.<\/p>

    Heaven? Well, that\u2019s like the icing on the cake.<\/p>

    Is your salvation all about heaven, or do you have something more? Have you experienced the true salvation that Jesus has to offer? If not, will you place your trust in him completely today?<\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

    Several weeks ago I started what turned out to be a great conversation on this blog and my Facebook page when I asked: Heaven is good incentive, but it\u2019s not salvation. Without using Heaven as a hook, if I were not a believer, how would you approach me with your faith? Don\u2019t promise me something in […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_eb_attr":"","_uag_custom_page_level_css":"","_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"site-sidebar-layout":"default","site-content-layout":"","ast-site-content-layout":"","site-content-style":"default","site-sidebar-style":"default","ast-global-header-display":"","ast-banner-title-visibility":"","ast-main-header-display":"","ast-hfb-above-header-display":"","ast-hfb-below-header-display":"","ast-hfb-mobile-header-display":"","site-post-title":"","ast-breadcrumbs-content":"","ast-featured-img":"","footer-sml-layout":"","theme-transparent-header-meta":"","adv-header-id-meta":"","stick-header-meta":"","header-above-stick-meta":"","header-main-stick-meta":"","header-below-stick-meta":"","astra-migrate-meta-layouts":"default","ast-page-background-enabled":"default","ast-page-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"ast-content-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"footnotes":""},"categories":[88],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1073","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-salvation"],"acf":[],"aioseo_notices":[],"gutentor_comment":0,"uagb_featured_image_src":{"full":false,"thumbnail":false,"medium":false,"medium_large":false,"large":false,"1536x1536":false,"2048x2048":false,"widget-thumbnail":false,"rpwe-thumbnail":false,"woocommerce_thumbnail":false,"woocommerce_single":false,"woocommerce_gallery_thumbnail":false},"uagb_author_info":{"display_name":"Daniel Goepfrich","author_link":"https:\/\/www.theologyisforeveryone.com\/author\/dgoepfrich\/"},"uagb_comment_info":0,"uagb_excerpt":"Several weeks ago I started what turned out to be a great conversation on this blog and my Facebook page when I asked: Heaven is good incentive, but it\u2019s not salvation. Without using Heaven as a hook, if I were not a believer, how would you approach me with your faith? Don\u2019t promise me something in…","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.theologyisforeveryone.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1073","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.theologyisforeveryone.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.theologyisforeveryone.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.theologyisforeveryone.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.theologyisforeveryone.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1073"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.theologyisforeveryone.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1073\/revisions"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.theologyisforeveryone.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1073"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.theologyisforeveryone.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=1073"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.theologyisforeveryone.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=1073"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}