Dr. Barclay with Something to Think About - SAVED

 SAVED

In many churches the term “saved” is one to which there is often reference. People may be asked ‘Are you saved?’ or ‘Were you saved?’ or ‘Do you wish to be saved?’ or some other similar phrase. Perhaps the more important question to ponder would be ‘Why are you saved?’ or ‘From what are you saved?’

Being saved really means being in a right relationship with God. And the only way that can come about is through faith. It is said that:

…without faith it is impossible to please Him, 

for he who comes to God must believe that He is… 

(Hebrews 11:6)

For by grace you have been saved through faith… 

(Ephesians 2:8)

This principle has been consistent since the book of Genesis. At the time of the slaying of Abel by Cain, Cain offered a sacrifice indicating less faith than that of Abel.

By faith Abel offered to God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain… 

(Hebrews 11:4)

So again, if you have placed you faith in God, so that you may be saved, what was the reason? Why is it important to be saved? From what are you saved?

We often hear of the goodness of God, of the love of god, and of His grace and mercy. We hear of this verse frequently:

For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son… 

(John 3:16) 

…and as a result come to believe that God is only a God of love, grace, and mercy. But while those attributes are true, we often don’t consider that He is also a God of wrath to those who reject Him, who do not have faith in Him.

He who believes in the Son has everlasting life; 

and he who does not believe the Son shall not see life,

 but the wrath of God abides on him. 

(John 3:36)

Because of these things 

the wrath of God is coming upon the sons of disobedience… 

(Colossians 3:6)

…Go and pour out the  bowls of the wrath of God on the earth. 

(Revelation 16:1)

It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.

(Hebrews 10:31)

So, avoiding the wrath of God is one reason to be saved but there is also another. One of the primary problems in life is finding one’s purpose in being alive. And that brings up the second point in salvation for which we are saved - to do good works.

For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, 

which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them. 

(Ephesians 2:10)

Let your light so shine before men, 

that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven. 

(Matthew 5:16)

To do good works in His name and to avoid the wrath and anger of God which otherwise might come our way - two good reasons to be saved.

Just one more thing to think about.