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Response
We frequently highlight the impact of salvation on the afterlife but overlook its significance on our current lives. Accepting Christ through faith is a pivotal moment in life in various aspects—upon being saved, we are liberated from sin and granted a fresh life and perspective. As John Newton expressed, “I was once lost but now I am found, / Was blind but now I see.” Everything changes after salvation.
The Epistles also stress the importance of daily living. According to Ephesians 2:10, we are saved not solely for an eternity in heaven but “to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” These “good works” are meant to be carried out here, in this world. If our eternal salvation does not manifest in our daily lives, there is an issue.
James penned his letter to promote a faith in action. Our salvation should lead to a controlled tongue «If any man among you seems to be religious, and yet does not bridle his tongue but deceives his own heart, this man’s religion is futile. », (James 1:26) and other transformations in our lives. Faith that claims to exist apart from the evidence of good works is deemed “dead” «But do you want to know, O foolish man, that faith without works is dead? », (James 2:20). In 1 Thessalonians 2:12, Paul instructs us to “live lives worthy of God, who calls you into his kingdom and glory.” A life surrendered and obedient to God naturally follows salvation. Jesus taught that we are His servants, tasked with continuing His work while awaiting His return (Luke 19:12-27).
In the book of Revelation, God addresses seven churches through letters (Revelation 2—3), highlighting specific aspects of daily living.At are either commended or condemned. The church of Ephesus was recognized for their labors and patience, and the church of Smyrna was commended for faithfulness in trials and poverty. On the other end of the spectrum, the church of Pergamum was rebuked for tolerating false doctrine, and the church at Thyatira was rebuked for following a false teacher into sexual sins. Obviously, Jesus considered salvation something that should affect one’s daily life, not just the afterlife.
Salvation is the beginning point of a new life “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.”, (2 Corinthians 5:17). God has the ability to restore and rebuild what was destroyed by sin. In Joel 2:25, God promises Israel that, even though He had brought judgment upon them for their sins, He is able to “restore to you the years that the swarming locust has eaten” (ESV), when Israel repents and returns to Him. A similar restoration is promised to Israel in Zechariah 10:6. This is not to say that getting saved makes everything happy and trouble-free in this life. There are times that God chooses to allow hardship as a reminder of the high cost of sin or of our need to rely on Him more. But we face those trials with a new outlook and strength from above. In fact, the hardships we endure are actually gifts from God to cause us to grow in faith and to equip us to be a blessing to others (2 Corinthians 1:4–6;12:8–10).
In Jesus’ ministry, everyone who came to Him in faith was forever changed. The demoniac of Decapolis went home an evangelist “And he departed, and began to publish in Decapolis how great things Jesus had done for him: and all men did marvel.”, (Mark 5:20).Lepers reentered society, purified and filled with joy (Luke 17:15-16). Fishermen transformed into apostles «And he saith unto them, Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men. », (Matthew 4:19), tax collectors turned into philanthropists, and sinners evolved into saints (Luke 19:8-10). Through faith, we are rescued «For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: », (Ephesians 2:8), and the transformation that salvation brings begins now.
