ChosenRebel's Blog

This post continues a theme begun here.

There is a growing movement to find “multiple salvations” in the Bible. It is all part of the “that’s-your-truth” mentality of the relativistic age in which we live.

But I don’t think looking at “multiple salvations” is helpful or consistent with a solid hermeneutic of Scripture.

The Savior came to seek and save the lost and he sends us to go on the same mission in much the same way. We are to sacrifice for others. We are to preach that the kingdom of God is at hand, and call everyone (rich and poor) to repent and believe.

The effects of this message will be total transformation of lives. We will no longer live for ourselves but for others. The effects will be a renewed desire to reach and serve the poor, to alleviate suffering wherever it is found. The church has largely failed in preaching the full implications of the gospel but the load stone of its message (the proclamation of the gospel) is still the need for all men and women to repent and believe.

“Do believers have larger role in society?” Yes. But it is never less than the preaching of the data points Christ–dead, buried, and risen; repentance from sin (cosmic rebellion against God), and belief in Christ as sin-bearer and redeemer.

We should stand up to oppression every day. We should care for widows every day. We defend the lives of the abused every day because Christ, our redeemer has called us to a new life. We are learning to live passionately for and like our Savior which means we are learning each day to pursue him rather than the American dream.

Those who say, “The Bible contains more than 300 verses that address justice towards the poor. People are starving, desperate for asylum, isolated and oppressed,” are absolutely right and we must do something about that if we have believed in Christ. But that doesn’t change the mission.

People may need more than Good News and a church pew, but they don’t need less. If we love Jesus, we will love the poor and work to bring justice to their lives but if we fail to proclaim the need for repentance and belief in Christ we will have failed to heed Jesus’ warning:

“What does it profit a man, if he gains the whole world but loses his soul.”

I’ve laid myself open for all kinds of blow back in this post, so let me give a brief bio.

For 17 years I pastored a church that started a 1800 square foot health clinic, gave away 23 tons of food a year, housed a 900 sq. ft. clothing pantry, negotiated for a county housing coordinator’s office to be put in our church building, provided free counseling, and financial assistance to the poor.

But if we had failed to proclaim the need for personal faith in Christ it would all be a waste because it would be less than the mission of Christ. Gospel ministry is never less than proclamation. It ought to be more, but never less.

To read the first post:  Click here.