So here is part 2 of Catalyst Faith (Tom Cox) series of questions in his recent post "Time Out!" stemming out of Philippians 2:12.
QUESTION #2; IS SALAVATION AN INSTANTANEOUS THING, OR A PROCESS?
It depends on HOW you are using the word salvation. In the original text SŌTĒRIA (σωτηρία) refers to deliverance, preservation, salvation. It is more than a two-dimensional term that is applied in the question; it is more of a four-dimensional term. Salvation has several undertones that are used in the N.T.:
(1) There is material or temporary salvation; the deliverance from the harm (sea, prison, etc.).
(2) There is an immediate spiritual or eternal deliverance by God for those who accept his conditions of repentance and put their faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. (Acts 4:12; Rom.1:16; 10:10)
(3) There is a present experience of God’s deliverance from the bondage of sin. The indication here is peace and harmony, both personally (internal) and corporately (external). (Phil. 2:12)
(4) There is a future deliverance of believers at the second coming of Christ for His saints, a salvation which is the object of our confident hope. (Rom.13:11, 1 Thess. 5:8)
I think there is a false sense of a two-dimensional salvation that has been created in the church today because of the inept ability to really teach scriptures; to really disciple people. It is easier to tell them what they want to hear (2 Tim. 4:3). Most churches want to dumb down scripture and simply move people through their process “through the bases” and check off their progress on a registration form with carbon copies. Oh yeah, if they get kind, unselfish and helpful along the way then we feel pretty good about ourselves (or at least our programs).
We want a two-dimensional salvation because it is easy. We can manage that. We can understand that. The instantaneous salvation allows preachers and teachers to work in the sinner’s prayer at the end of the over programmed, soft, seeker service, and ask those that prayed to check the box so they can send them some information on their new member’s class and spiritual formation process. And as the new believer it is easier for them to go through classes and check off the boxes as a means of working out their salvation because it really doesn’t require much. It really requires no change.
