The word “saved” implies some kind of peril
or danger (one is hardly saved from Disneyland!). The context from which the above passage is
taken highlights the mercy of God in delivering men from the power of sin and
death and granting them a new life in Christ. This is not simply a reformed
life but, a life that comes from God through a spiritual birth. Jesus spoke of
this birth when He said, “you must be born again” (John 3:3). The peril is the future judgment of God.
Elsewhere it is called “the wrath to come” (1 Thess 1:10) and will culminate in
the frightening “lake of fire” (Rev 20:15). This impending judgment will take
place following Christ’s second coming (the Bible teaches far more on the
second coming than the first). That Christ has already come in fulfillment of
Scripture is sobering assurance of His future return.
My son once stood on a train track to face
on oncoming train. He had seen a superhero toss on oncoming train and he was
going to do the same! Thankfully, he changed his mind as the train approached
but, he frightened the life out of his parents! He had NO appreciation of what
he really faced. The passage we wish to spend the next few weeks considering is
filled with amazing truths concerning deliverance from God’s fearful judgment.
It will however be meaningless if you do not believe God is real and is telling
the truth.
Jesus came that you might be saved. He
wants you to be saved from the “wrath to come.”
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