Last week we raised questions concerning the belief that salvation occurs at one point in time, namely when people profess faith in Jesus. Those who believe salvation is a profession of faith in Jesus criticize those of us who believe that salvation is a process of becoming more like God for “holding a ‘lordship salvation’ that adds demands of obedience to the simple response of faith”. [1]
Why do some consider that adding obedience to salvation is in error? It is because of the belief that salvation is a gift from God and we can do nothing to earn it. Requiring obedience for salvation appears to add an element of us earning our salvation.
The requirement that we become like God does not equate to us earning our salvation. We had nothing to do with Jesus dying for our sins. We did not request it. If we were to be reconciled to God, he had to take the first step because we certainly would not do it. Additionally, there was no claim we could present to God that would justify him taking such action. It was solely God’s decision to make an effort to bring us back to him.
Once God decided to provide a way for us to return to him, he had to decide on a method. One step was Christ dying for our sins which satisfied God’s need for justice. But God also requires something from us. Some believe what he requires is simply that we believe in Jesus’ death for our sins while other believe we must begin the process of becoming like God.
There are many problems with belief being the only requirement of salvation and we have detailed those in this blog and in my book. To summarize:
- A majority of people who have ever lived has never heard of Christ and therefore have had no chance of being saved. Is this the action of a loving God?
- God made us finite. Being finite means we do not have definitive proof of Jesus’ death and resurrection for our sins. How can God judge us for not believing if he did not give us the ability to know it is true?
- There are over 70 verses in the Bible which state salvation is through means other than believing in Jesus. Why did God place all these verses in the Bible?
Are there any problems with salvation being the change of our soul so it becomes like God? If you are aware of any problems, I would like to hear from you about them.
Christian doctrine maintains that we are sinful creatures which means we are opposed to that for which God stands. If this is true, does it not make sense that if we want to spend eternity with God that God would insist we begin the process of becoming more like him while we are here on earth?
___________________________
[1] Dictionary of Christianity in America, edited by Daniel G. Reid, Robert D. Linder, Bruce L. Shelley and Harry S. Stout. © 1990 by InterVarsity Christian Fellowship/USA; published by InterVarsity Press. All rights reserved.
