Every Christian knows that personal acceptance of Jesus’ death on the cross is the entrance to eternal life. Most sermons focus exclusively on the cross, as if that’s all there is, as if our spiritual life was unimportant in comparison. But there’s more.
In my last blog I told how God led my friend down a path to total submission in the last days of her life. Why was that important, since God knew she was going to die anyway, and had already accepted Jesus?
I also see God working not only with myself but with many others as well, drawing us to greater trust, submission, and peace in this life. If all we need is the cross, why this emphasis on life here and now?
In the Bible the cross is certainly a central piece. But our life on earth is also central. Jesus’ life is chronicled in the Gospels even more than His death. Paul spends a lot of time correcting wrong theology and helping people know how to live their lives. The Old Testament stories and warnings were written to show us how to live, as examples for us and “for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the ages have come (1 Cor 10:11).
The Cross begins what God wants to do for us, but He doesn’t stop there.
Exodus 36-40 describes the tabernacle in the wilderness, built under God’s explicit directions. This tabernacle is actually His “sandbox model” for helping His people understand how He works with us.
Holy and Most Holy Place
Ex 40:1-8 shows the layout.
- The courtyard held the altar of burnt offerings, where the priests sacrificed.
- The Holy Place contained the lamp, the table of showbread, and the altar of incense.
- The Most Holy place was where the ark of the Testimony, and God’s visible glory resided.
Hebrews 8:5 says the earthly priests “serve the copy and shadow of heavenly things.” Each part of the earthly tabernacle represents something God has done or is doing for us.
The sacrifice in the courtyard . . .
. . .obviously symbolizes Jesus’ death on the cross.
The Holy Place . . .
. . . represents God’s work in our hearts. Often the blood of the sacrifice was taken into the Holy Place and sprinkled on the floor there. Jesus was sacrificed only once, but He now applies the blood of His sacrifice to us, forgiving our sins when we confess them (1 John 1:9).. He has sent the Holy Spirit, represented by the lampstand, to help us live now. And we take Jesus into our heart and life as shown by the bread and grape juice on the table of showbread.
This is now how we live now – forgiven, nourished by Jesus, led by the Spirit. This is the second part of how God wants to save us – not only for all eternity, but for the here and now.
And it’s happening! People are experiencing peace in the midst of their storms, hope in the midst of devastating circumstances, victory over sin! God not only gives us the gift of salvation for the future, but also the gift of salvation for this life.
Acts 2:47 says it well: in the beginning of the Christian church God “added to the church daily those who were being saved.” Here the word “saved” in Greek shows ongoing action, not a one-time action. God has already saved us (one-time action on the cross), and He is saving us now (in our daily life).
How God enables us to live in this life is as much a saving action as Jesus’ death on the cross. It reveals His ongoing creative transforming power and His abundant grace and mercy.
Eternal life begins as soon as we accept Jesus. Our life on earth is preparation for heaven. That makes our spiritual life — our prayer life, relationship with God, etc., — the most important priority we have.
Please share some ways God is in the process of saving you in daily life.
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EXCELLENT!! “But seek (aim at and strive after) first of all His kingdom and His righteousness (His way of doing and being right)…” Matthew 6:33 AMP. ‘His system Vs. The World’s system.’ ‘His kingdom come’, is in the here and now! And His Kingdom (Greek basileia ~ kingdom) not just the realm, the king, the sovereignty, but the relationship to God Himself. I like how you pointed that out! And God ‘did’ and still does add to the Church daily. And in the New Testament church, before the ‘adding’ there was always ‘quality’ first!
Mel Thompson recently posted..“Shhh!” And Then There Was SILENCE
Hi Mel, interesting thought on the “quality.” One of the early first or second century documents (the Didache?) tells how a people spent two years in preparation to join the church! Of course there was persecution involved, so it may have also been a protective measure, but still, two years is a long time. In the beginning of the church all the converts were Jews who already understood that they needed to live for God. All that remained for them was to accept that Jesus was God, and His sacrifice. These days people are baptized before they even know what they’re getting into or what’s expected on a practical level — and I feel a soapbox nearby, so I’ll quit
Fantastic post, great minds or atuned spirits think alike huh?
It’s so comforting to know that God is always there ready to save us and pull us out of our storms and tribulations, the funny thing is that whilst I was in the RC church I didn’t know any of this!!! It took becoming seriously ill for me to realise that I could call out to God, that I didn’t have to only settle for peace, rest and joy in eternity, just this simple truth alone has brought me so much healing. I’m grateful that I now understand this as truth because I know there are many people who still do not which is very sad.
BTW – I have just finished my blog post which I mentioned in my reply to your comment on my blog the link should turn up below.
Florence Achama recently posted..The answer you are looking for is in the Voice of the Lord (Kol Adonai)
I’ll check out your post! I have it up in a tab on my browser for later
I think when I was younger we simply didn’t talk dwell on God’s action in our lives now. It was always there, behavior was important, but I didn’t see the relationship emphasis that I see now. Behavior IS important, but not without relationship, and that’s the key to this. God’s saving action for us now involves everything — a closer relationship with Him, victory in our lives, and learning to trust Him even through the storms of life.
Salvation begins in the here and now and then continues in the glorious new creation, the new heaven and the new earth that are to come, growing and maturing both here and now and then and there.
Candice Michelle recently posted..modifications for adhd students
Yes, yes! This life is a training ground for us. As long as our life on earth lasts, we are in training for heaven.
That’s so true pastor! Thanks for sharing this post You always did a great job in here!
Candice Michelle recently posted..יועצות שינה
Thanks, Candice!
Thanks for sharing. I just stumbled upon your weblog and wished to say that I have truly enjoyed surfing around your blog posts.
Candice Michelle recently posted..חינוך
Hi Candice, you have already been on my blog for awhile!!!
Thanks again, Candice!
Hi Pastor Sherry, This blog post reminded me that we are being continually saved in the here and now. Sometimes, due to health issues, I feel I am almost \”done,\” but when I look back and think of how God has been saving me daily, especially as I understand more about Him and his Word. It wasn\’t just a quick trip to the altar after my second Sunday in church that \”did it.\”
Hi Linda, so true — it\’s not a quick trip once to the altar, but our day-by-day walk with God that keeps us focused and growing. So may stop at the one time experience of accepting Jesus, but that\’s only the beginning. While that\’s the best thing that happened, God also has more good things in store for us.
Sorry for your health issues. May God bless you abundantly today!