by 
“Salvation” is a word that flows in Christian circles the way water hurls itself down a riverbank. Assumptions are made, distinctives are codified and labels are assigned.
Most have a narrow understanding of the concept that Jesus called the Kingdom of God, or Kingdom of Heaven.
Jesus was excited about it.
He wanted everyone to experience it.
He gave His life to open it’s entrance.
I like Tozer’s take:
“If man had his way, the plan of redemption would be an endless and bloody conflict. In reality, salvation was bought not by Jesus’ fist, but by His nail-pierced hands; not by muscle but by love; not by vengeance but by forgiveness; not by force but by sacrifice. Jesus Christ our Lord surrendered in order that He might win; He destroyed His enemies by dying for them and conquered death by allowing death to conquer Him.”
― A.W. Tozer
Salvation is more than a get out of Hell card. That limited view makes Jesus a mechanism, and centers everything on me.
Salvation is an invitation.
Salvation is a transformation.
Salvation is undeserved.
Salvation is a person, Jesus.
N.T. Wright notes:
“the work of salvation, in its full sense, is (1) about whole human beings, not merely souls; (2) about the present, not simply the future; and (3) about what God does through us, not merely what God does in and for us.”
― N.T. Wright
The motivation for salvation is God’s tenacious, unyielding, ferocious and all-consuming love.
The hum that you feel in the core of your soul, is the love of God inviting you into an adventure through Christ. Peter Kreeft said it this way:
“We sinned for no reason but an incomprehensible lack of love, and He saved us for no reason but an incomprehensible excess of love.”
― Peter Kreeft, Jesus-Shock
Grace and Peace…
*artwork (c) is by Justin Spencer Lamborn: http://www.specterandbride.co/
Monty, your posts intrigue me. Thank you for sharing your fascinations of Christ, the adventure as a follower is truly captivating and I am most-grateful for Him and His promises. Faith abounds and so does my desire to serve Him. What you quote, “The work of salvation is….what God does through us…” I marvel at that. Humbled once again. I definitely experience the Holy Spirit daily and my prayer is that I am always standing at attention for him! Interestingly enough, I suppose when we even think we are at attention He moves us in ways we are not even aware of. That of course is our divine Father. How is it that I would even try to fathom the intrinsic details of his weave? I’ve been listening to the podcasts, Beatitudes and you do such an amazing job of teaching! I feel so blessed to belong to SVA and have the privilege of experiencing your leadership! I do thank God and marvel at His placement of me on this planet. Makes me chuckle sometimes. I could type on and on about the Holy Spirit and I won’t. Just wanted to comment on this post. Let you know I appreciate what you do for our community! Enjoy the adventure – I am! Marveling, every step of the way!
I marvel with you 🙂 I love your line, “the intrinsic details of his weave” such a great visual choice of words. Growing in awareness is the greatest ride of all…