Savior

By Kyle Blackwell

What does it mean for Jesus to be the savior of the world? I think America has become accustomed to the idea of asking Jesus to be their savior so they can get a ticket to Heaven. And yes, if Jesus is your Lord and Savior, you are already a citizen of Heaven. You are nothing but a sojourner walking in a foreign land.

Recently, I had a chance to visit the Columbine High School Memorial, and Rachel Scott’s memorial had one of her quotes that she would say to people, “Just passing by, just coming through, not staying long”.  With that being said, there is much more to a relationship with Christ than just going to Heaven.

I have said this before in my articles but I’ll explain it all again. God created us as perfection (Genesis 1:27 - God created man in His own image). Unfortunately, we choose evil, and our sin is what separates us from God. And as the Bible states, “the wages of sin is death” (Romans 6:23). So, someone had to take the place of our sins. Yes, someone had to die because the power of life and death are in the blood (Leviticus 17:11- For the life of a creature is in the blood, and I have appointed it to you to make atonement on the altar for your lives, since it is the lifeblood that makes atonement). This is where Jesus comes into the picture. Jesus died on that old rugged cross so that we may be able to live freely, free from the bondage of satan, and sin. And with that freedom comes an everlasting relationship with our Lord Jesus Christ.

Before Jesus gave His life, we were subjected to the Law. The Law was an uphill mountain of a battle that nobody could ever win. The Law was a set of rules God gave to Moses on Mount Sinai in which everyone was to follow. However, instead of the Law being an obtainable feat, it was actually meant to show us just how imperfect we are, and how much we need a Savior. Although, the Israelites did not see it this way.

Now the sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. 1 Corinthians‬ ‭15‬:‭56‬

God is perfection, and there is only one man who has ever walked this land in perfection, never failing the Law. Our sins could only be made right by a completely righteous, and perfect man. Jesus offers us a life that can only be gained through death. The death is of our sinful life, the life which satan was our lord.

The wicked one is thrown down by his own sin, but the righteous one has a refuge in his death. -Proverbs‬ ‭14‬:‭32

When I was 10, I prayed for Jesus to come into my life and be my savior. I was making a conscious effort to obey the Law for a little while, but my life turned toward evil when the emotions wore thin. I wasn’t truly changed. Of course, I relied on the fact that I called Jesus to be my Lord. I even professed Him to others when the time came convenient, but I wasn’t transformed. Sure, the “savior” part sounded assuring and comforting, but there was no real relationship with the King. I appeared Christ like in front of others, but it was only a holy cloak, something I could take off when alone in the darkest of nights. It wasn’t real.

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away, and look, new things have come. -2 Corinthians‬ ‭5‬:‭17‬

Am I, or is the Bible, saying that perfection is blanketed upon all believers in Christ? No! Full sanctification will not come until we are with Him in Heaven. What I Am saying is that there must be a reverence of God when we choose to call Jesus our Lord. Americans love the savior part of Jesus, but not the Lord. Making Him our Lord requires obedience to Him. And that takes humility, which we definitely do not enjoy.

The result of humility is fear of the Lord, along with wealth, honor, and life. -Proverbs‬ ‭22‬:‭4‬

Throughout the Gospels Jesus tells the people He healed to “Go and sin no more!” Not once did He say, you’re healed, now you’re going to Heaven. The people being healed knew He was Lord, which means they had faith in Him being the Messiah who was prophecied about by David in Psalms 22 and 110.  They knew He was the Way, the Truth and the Life.

Jesus was calling for repentance. This is why Israel needed John the Baptist. He ushered in a new era of newness, repentance followed by baptism.  Before we even have a thought of committing Jesus as our Lord and Savior, our hearts have already gone through a change which can only come from Holy Spirit. Basically, it is a miracle when we realize that we’re not good enough. Holy Spirit allows us to see just how messed up we truly are. He shines light on our darkness.

Contrary to popular belief, Jesus did not come to bring peace, but division (Luke 12:49-56). Worldly speaking, division is frowned upon, but my Jesus is not of this world, and neither am I. The division Jesus spoke of comes from bringing light into darkness. If you speak the name of Jesus long enough, you will create division. I’ve seen division in many different places from preaching the Word. When you preach truth, people will despise you, even in the “church”.

So, if this is true, why follow Jesus? Freedom! Going back to what it means to be Saved, we have a freedom from the reigns of satan. I once heard a former satanist say that if we’re not worshipping Christ, we are worshipping satan. It goes back to what Jesus said in Matthew 12:30,  “If you’re not with Me, you’re against Me”.

Jesus also said, “If you love me, you will obey my commands” -John 14:15.

Paul said, “You should live your lives in a manner worthy of the Gospel of Christ”-Philippians 1:27.

Back to the freedom thing. If we believe Jesus is Lord, and we also placed Him as Lord over our lives, we have the gift of Holy Spirit residing within our hearts. Because of this, we no longer have to live according to a set of laws as in the Old Testament. Does this mean we abandon the Law? Absolutely not. Instead, we are able to overcome strongholds, addictions and old ways of thinking because of the wonder working power of Holy Spirit. Jesus broke the chains of bondage so we no longer have to live in fear. As it says in Colossians 2, Jesus trampled over the entities of the evil world who are satan and his demons. That is what you are saved from if indeed you are truly saved.

There is also an unexplainable peace that comes along with worshiping Christ as Lord. I know that I do not have to worry about food or where I will lay my head. I do not have to worry about a job and how I will pay bills. God will always provide. Holy Spirit gives me a comfort that nobody else can. This is off topic, but there are many health benefits to me not worrying. Worry/Anxiety is linked to obesity, a weakened immune system, which leads to many other infectious diseases and sicknesses. Anxiousness is also linked to heart attacks, strokes, alcohol/drug abuse and depression. It was not easy in the beginning to put my trust in God, but because of the testimonies He has blessed me with I am able to live a worry free life. He always provides! That is a wonderful peace.

In a nutshell, being saved means I have an eternal relationship with my Lord Jesus Christ. It is not always an easy life I live, but I know He is always by my side.

I am saved and I am free. And yes, I’m also going to Heaven when I die, or when Jesus takes me. Many adversities come to the one who is righteous, but the Lord delivers him from them all (Psalms‬ ‭34‬:‭19‬).

-My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge - Hosea 4:6