Jesus, our Salvation (John 3:16-18)

Let me introduce you to Jesus, our Savior. He is the one anointed and sent by God to buy back His people from the clutches of Satan. He is the Messiah, the Christ.

For many years I was taught that if I asked Jesus into my heart I would go to heaven when I died. That is true. However; John 10:10 tells us that Jesus came to give us abundant life - here on earth and it will continue through out eternity.

Let us look at the Bible's description of abundant life that Jesus offers.

Isaiah 53:4-6 “He has borne our grief’s (He will take our grief if we ask Him), And He has carried our sorrows and pains (He will take away our sorrow and pain)…He was wounded for our transgressions (where we violated God’s commandments), He was crushed for our wickedness (our sin, our injustice, our wrongdoing); He was pierced for our transgressions, He was crushed for our iniquities (gross wickedness); the punishment that brought us peace was on Him, and by His stripes (wounds) we are healed."

2 Corinthians 8:9 (AMP) says "…though He was rich, yet for your sake He became poor, so that by His poverty you might become rich (abundantly blessed).”

The Hebrew term for this is Shalom - nothing missing, nothing broken. God does not desire nor expect His children to be broke, busted, disgusted, defeated and depleted. Jesus paid a very high price for us not to live that way.

The definition of salvation in the Old Testament is the same as in the New, except in the new it is received by faith in Christ Jesus as opposed to works of the law and it is inclusive for all eternity.

The word for Salvation in the Old Testament is Yeshua and in English it is the word Jesus.

The abundant life is summed up in 3 John 2, “Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers.” As our soul (mind, will and emotions) prospers, we begin to think the way Jesus thinks) and the rest will follow. This is a restatement of Matthew 6:33, “But seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added to you.”

According to Colossians 1:13 the moment we accept Jesus as our savior God delivers us from the power of Satan and translates us out of Satan’s domain and places us into Jesus’ kingdom. It is like “Beam me up Scotty” from Star Trek. Boom! We are in the Kingdom of God..

However; Romans 12:2 tell us our soul (mind, will and emotions) has to be renewed. “Do not conform to the pattern of this world (the world's way of thinking), but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God’s will is—his good, pleasing, and perfect will.” Knowing and doing His will is His righteousness which is walking in love, joy, [inner] peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control.(Galatians 5:22) This can only be accomplished by the Holy Spirit living in us.

If Jesus is your Savior, celebrate communion today with Jesus the Christ who has delivered you from the devil’s clutches. He has set you free from evil and has already transformed you into His Kingdom. Amen!

Blessings on your day!

Karen