Salvation (Bible Tag 16)
The first mention of Jesus in the Bible is in Matthew when an angel appears to Joseph and says, "She will bear a son, and you shall call his name Jesus, for he will save his people from their sins" (Matthew 1:21).
The Greek word here for salvation is sozo, which means "to save, deliver, protect, heal, preserve, and be (make) whole." This demonstrates that the salvation experience entails a salvation-healing journey in which divine healing is administered to sin-damaged individuals as they grow in relationship with the Trinity.
Salvation is healing. Jesus is the Light that opens our blind eyes.
In him was life, and the life was the light of men.
The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it.
John 1:4–5
I relate to man in the Bible born blind. Jesus opened my eyes. I've been on a journey to improve my vision more through the Bible and theologians.
The god of this world has blinded the minds of the unbelievers, to keep them from seeing the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.
2 Corinthians 4:4
Jesus is the Light shineing in our darkness inviting us to union with the Trinity. When we surrender our struggle, sin, and heartache to Him, He gives us hope, assistance, healing, and wholeness, as well as gifts, abilities, and opportunities to serve alongside Him. Christ's love is in the Father and He put that love in us to share with others.
Once grasped, John 14:20 is one of the main life changing verses. Jesus in us allows us to participate with and in God while being present to the losses and hurts of our broken world.
In that day you will know that I am in my Father, and you in me, and I in you.
John 14:10–11
There is oneness and complete union in the life of the Father, Son, and Spirit, with the three Persons dwelling completely in one another but maintaining their distinct and personal identities. The Father, Son, and Spirit have found a way to include us in their shared trinitarian life without losing us. We are included but not absorbed; we are united but not so completely that we cease to exist. We participate in the trinitarian life, but always as distinct individuals with our own distinct personalities.
This salvation relationship grows through conversation (prayer), repentance (mind renewal), and discovery (reading God's word, fellowship, and loving others). We actively participate in determining what God our salvation (work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, Philippians 2:12). Although we had nothing to do with our salvation's accomplishment, our ongoing decisions are significant and participation in its execution is critical.
God can heal our illnesses, soothe our pain, and repair the damage from the years of blindness. He can bring joy to your heart, hope to our spirits, and sweet serenity.
God is committed to us as Savior, working to re-create us in character and conduct. He can build something new, strong, and worthwhile from a destructive past. As my best friend Dolores likes to put it, "He is transforming trash into treasure." He can bring the brightest light of joy where there has previously been the darkest despair.
He atones for all of our empty, pointless pursuits in the past. Instead of the wretched harvest fields ravaged by the locusts of lawless behavior, He births in us new life, with abundant years ahead.
The price of salvation as C. S. Lewis says, is to want him [Jesus]. If we want him, we have to be willing to have our minds changed. Because if we put our own ideas about Jesus on him, we can't really get to know him and fully experience His freedom. If this is true, we don't know the real Jesus at all. Instead, we know a Jesus that we made up in our minds. Such a Jesus will never give us the life we're looking for. We have to be willing change our glasses for a better prescription. If we don't do this, we could miss out on the full view of a magnificent Christ.
"“Good souls many will one day be horrified at the things they now believe of God." George MacDonald
Our salvation is possible because He has chosen to live with us, reshaping a new character in us, similar to His. This new development happens gradually as you quietly allow His character to work in you. All He ask of us, is that we obey my simple commands (instructions). Trust Him to make a difference in your life—He always does!
Bible Tag Prompt 17
As you stitch this week ponder your salvation. How awesome is it you are not walking in the dark? Include a bird on your tag (representing freedom, grace, love, strength, and eternity)
Helpful Links
- Verses on Salvation
- How to Create Fabric Tags (Videos) and a Freebie
- What is the Gospel (video by Bruce Wauchope)
- 300+ Bird Tags on Instagram
- Slow Stich Bible Journal Facebook Group
- Bible Journal Love Facebook Group
My Tag from Week 16
