Salvation- To Simple To Be True

I am under the impression that the reality of salvation is basic, so simple that it is difficult to accept- even so that long-time Christians and the wandering alike, cannot accept it without strings attached.

By it's own nature, salvation is simplistic; "For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved."- Romans 10:13

It goes against our mental capacity to think that one can be redeemed without pension, because we understand that any sort of redemption is birthed from pension.

When we live in fear as if it is still necessary to work away our pension, we spit in the face of the crucifixion, because that WAS our pension.

To work any further FOR our redemption apart from or in addition to our pension (which has been paid by Jesus) is madness.


Not to say that one should not live a holy upright life, but it should be done in order to work out one's salvation, but not in pursuit of attaining or "keeping" it.


"Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your salvation with fear and trembling."
-Philippians 2:12 


Note that working out salvation is not working FOR salvation. As Reverend Bruce Goettsche writes,
"Working out our salvation means that we are to bring our salvation to a practical expression."


Also well expressed by hubpages Jason2917,
"By working out your salvation, you are not attempting to add anything to the finished work of Christ. But you are remaining attentive to His love and continually preaching the gospel to your own heart reminding yourself who God is and how He saved you."


"May the mind of Christ my Savior live in me from day to day
By His love and power controlling all I do and say.
May the Word of God dwell richly in my heart from hour to hour
So that all may see I triumph only through His power."
-Exerpt from "May The Mind of Christ My Savior", a favorite hymn. : )


Blessings on your way,
~Ashes

The last few moths have been stressful and exhausting, particularly these last couple of days spent at home in Wallowa, walking through some very rough waters alongside a family dear to my heart. Seen a lot of ugly, January accident, custody battle, experienced loss, felt fear and seen grief. Enough that my hair is falling out. This world is broken enough that at first glance it just looks ugly. I've found comfort though, in the concept of Gratitude. Been meditating on this song and it's concept for the last few days. It's so rich. Surely, to be a child who is part of the Covenant is to be a person that is taken care of.. I am thankful, And the world is beautiful again:

Send some rain, would You send some rain?
'Cause the earth is dry and needs to drink again
And the sun is high and we are sinking in the shade

Would You send a cloud, thunder long and loud?
Let the sky grow black and send some mercy down
Surely You can see that we are thirsty and afraid

But maybe not, not today
Maybe You'll provide in other ways
And if that's the case . . .

We'll give thanks to You
With gratitude
For lessons learned in how to thirst for You
How to bless the very sun that warms our face
If You never send us rain

Daily bread, give us daily bread
Bless our bodies, keep our children fed
Fill our cups, then fill them up again tonight
Wrap us up and warm us through
Tucked away beneath our sturdy roofs
Let us slumber safe from danger's view this time

Or maybe not, not today
Maybe You'll provide in other ways
And if that's the case . . .

We'll give thanks to You
With gratitude
A lesson learned to hunger after You
That a starry sky offers a better view if no roof is overhead
And if we never taste that bread

Oh, the differences that often are between
What we want and what we really need

So grant us peace, Jesus, grant us peace
Move our hearts to hear a single beat
Between alibis and enemies tonight

Or maybe not, not today
Peace might be another world away
And if that's the case . . .

We'll give thanks to You
With gratitude
For lessons learned in how to trust in You
That we are blessed beyond what we could ever dream
In abundance or in need
And if You never grant us peace
But Jesus, would You please . . .

-Nichole Nordeman