The "What" and "Why" of Salvation

Season 2 Episode 50 -- In the last episode, I shared the "what" of salvation -- that we are God's masterfully created workmanship.  In this episode, I continue this discussion by sharing the "why" of salvation, and offer some practical applications to these powerful principles.  Listen and see if these applications resonate with you!

"Reflect on This" is a once-a-week, short devotional podcast. In these devotionals, I share the things I am learning about the ways and nature of God, through applying my study of the Scriptures to life, in practical and fulfilling ways.
 
If you like the podcast, please tell your friends and family about it, and subscribe/follow it, because it helps others to find the podcast more easily (because having more followers raises the podcast higher in search results).
 
Resources that inspired some episodes:

"My Heart, Christ's Home" by Robert Munger

"The Language of Rivers and Stars" by Seth Lewis

“Dream Small:  The Secret Power of the Ordinary Christian Life” by Seth Lewis

 Seth Lewis blog:  https://sethlewis.ie/

35 Bible Verses About Listening To Others (Explained) - Bible Repository 

"Restoration Year: Devotions to Transform Your Relationships, Spirit, and Faith" by John Eldredge

"Boundaries" by Henry Cloud and John Townsend

"The Pleasure of His Company" by Dutch Sheets

"Fresh Air" by Chris Hodges

“The 5 Love Languages: The Secret to Love that Lasts” by Gary Chapman

"The Lies We Believe: Renew Your Mind and Transform Your Life" by Dr. Chris Thurman

Featured ministries and resources:
 
“Agape Puppets” (ministry)
This is an amazing world-wide ministry that uses puppet shows to reach children (and their parents) for Christ, in cultures that are generally not very open to the Gospel.  To learn more, go to: https://theagapepuppets.org/ 

"Manufacture Good" (ministry)
 Manufacture Good is a Christian ministry that offers paid apprenticeships to men who need a second chance.  These apprentices learn biblical principles, character, and valuable woodworking and metalworking skills which lead to employment opportunities.  You can shop their catalog of fine home and office products, order a standard or custom piece of furniture, make a donation, and learn more about this amazing ministry, at: https://manufacturegood.org/.

"The World and Everything in It" (podcast)
This is a weekday 35-minute podcast that presents headline news, in-depth news articles, media reviews, and opinion pieces from a Christian world view.  Their stated mission is "biblically objective journalism that informs, educates, and inspires."
 
“Crazy Little Thing Called Marriage” (podcast) 
This is a once a week 30-minute podcast hosted by Greg and Erin Smalley, who head up the marriage team at Focus on the Family.  Each episode addresses a different aspect of marriage, using biblical principles, featured guests, practical advice, and a mixture of humor and candidness.  
 
"e-Sword" (Bible study software)
This study tool includes many free (and low-cost) resources, including Bibles, dictionaries, commentaries, and devotionals.  It allows you to simultaneously view verses and their corresponding cross-references, lexicon entries, commentaries, and more.
On your computer, go to e-sword.net
On your mobile device, go to your app store and search for “e-sword.” 

Music credits:
Beauty by MaxKoMusic | https://maxkomusic.com/
Music promoted by https://www.chosic.com/free-music/all

Transcript

First of all, I want to mention that I have added a link in the show notes of each episode of the podcast.  This link allows you to send a text to me through my podcast provider.  I would welcome your comments, questions, and feedback.  If you desire a reply, include your email address.  Now, on with today’s episode.

In the previous episode, I shared the remarkable reality that believers are the masterfully created workmanship of Jesus, based on this verse:

Ephesians 2:10 NASB  For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them.

By studying the Greek word poiema (POY-ay-mah), which is the word translated as workmanship in this verse, and looking at the rich nuances of this word, I shared this amplification:

You are God’s masterfully created workmanship!  You are His carefully crafted tapestry, His exquisitely worded poetry, His beautiful handiwork!  You are God’s ultimate work of art! 

This is the “what” of salvation – the “what” of making Jesus the Lord of your life, of being adopted as a child of God, of what we refer to as being “in Christ.”  Simply put, Jesus recreated you!

2 Corinthians 5:17 ESV  Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.

In last week’s episode, I also alluded to the “why” of salvation, and I wanted to elaborate on that principle in this episode.  It is found in the second half of our opening verse for today:

Ephesians 2:10 NASB  For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them.

Do you see, in the last part of this verse, why we are recreated?  For good works for us to live out, good works that were planned by God in advance.  

In other words, God labored over us to reproduce in us a glimpse of His nature, so that we would have the desire and ability to do the good works that He prepared for us to do.  These good works are intended to serve others, and to be a reflection of His nature, so that others will be drawn to God.  

Paul goes on in the next few verses to elaborate on why God saved us in Jesus:

Ephesians 2:11-14 NIV  Therefore, remember that formerly you who are Gentiles by birth and called "uncircumcised" by those who call themselves "the circumcision" (which is done in the body by human hands)—  (12)  remember that at that time you were separate from Christ, excluded from citizenship in Israel and foreigners to the covenants of the promise, without hope and without God in the world.  (13)  But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far away have been brought near by the blood of Christ.  (14)  For he himself is our peace, who has made the two groups one and has destroyed the barrier, the dividing wall of hostility.

Paul is emphasizing that we should remember our former state (prior to salvation), and to also remember that, in Jesus, God unites people of different heritages and backgrounds.

What are some applications of these principles of the what and why of salvation?

·         As I keep in mind how I am God’s masterfully created workmanship, carefully crafted to be a reflection of His image to the people around me, it helps me to resist temptations.  Why?  Because I can say to myself, “That thought or action is not consistent with who I am in Christ.  I will therefore choose to turn away from it.”

·         I will purpose to not waste my failures.  When I fail, I will learn from them, and will use each failure to motivate me toward renewed commitment to live according to the purpose of why God recreated me.  My failures will also motivate me toward increasing gratefulness to God for forgiveness, salvation, renewal, and ongoing sanctification.

·         Because God considers people as His masterpieces, I will purpose to treat myself and others with respect, and as examples of His beautiful handiwork.

·         I will purpose to always remember my life prior to Christ (and my natural, pre-salvation tendencies), and to use this remembrance to motivate me to gratefulness for my new life in Jesus!

·         The believing Jews and believing Gentiles of the New Testament times grasped this concept of people being God’s workmanship.  Because they did, they overlooked their differences and partnered to spread the good news of life in Jesus.  This inspires me to follow their example of overlooking differences in heritage, practices, traditions, etc.  I will, therefore, purpose to focus on the things I have in common with fellow believers, instead of focusing on the differences.

Today, I encourage you to “Reflect on This.”