Salvation

I have a question for you: How much does salvation pertain to heaven verses the here and now? When Jesus offered eternal life, do you think he was also concerned about life right now? And how about this question: When does eternal begin? In Romans 12:1 it says, “Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God—this is your spiritual act of worship.” The phrase “in view of God’s mercy” points back to the wonderful promise of salvation that is offered through the sacrifice of Jesus Christ. Romans 1:16 says, “I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes . . .” And then every chapter in Romans gives teaching on this marvelous salvation that offers us eternal life. But the phrase “living sacrifices” is about the here and now. The sense is that God not only wants us to be assured of the gift of heaven, but he also wants us to live these new lives right now. In fact, living heaven right now is more essential to the mission of God than going to heaven later. Our lives right now are the mirror of heaven for the world we live in.

This Sunday we will complete chapter 15 of Acts, which answers the question: What must I do to be saved? Salvation is the gift of faith. But the early church did not end with that alone. It also pointed to how to live life now. How many of us believe we are living heaven now? Not very many of us. I hope that God will challenge us all with these words found in Ephesians 4:1, “I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received.”