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NASB | Ephesians 2:5 even when we were dead in our transgressions, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), |
AMPLIFIED 2015 | Ephesians 2:5 even when we were [spiritually] dead and separated from Him because of our sins, He made us [spiritually] alive together with Christ (for by His grace--His undeserved favor and mercy--you have been saved from God's judgment). [Rom 6:1-10] |
Bible Question (short): Thanks, but what about....? |
Question (full): Thanks, gentlemen. I love illustrations. Jesus used them all the time (parables). Of course, our illustrations never completely portray spiritual truth but they can be very helpful. But if salvation is a 3-part process, how can we preach and teach that people can be saved before they die? To use the plank illustration, what if, on the way to shore, the person being saved decides to bail out? Was he truly saved? Or what if, while in the vehicle of the church, he sins? The church is notorious for shooting their wounded and I have seen many leave the church as a result. Are these people still saved? If the culmination of our salvation is not experienced until we are 'home', then how can we assure anyone that they will make it? Wouldn't we do better to tell people that there is no way to be absolutely sure that they are saved until the process is complete? If this interpretation is correct, how can any of us be sure? Many people are probably saved from the plank. And many more are in church. But the only way to know if you are in the arms of God is to experience it and, by that time, it's too late. You may have been in the wrong church and this 'vehicle' has delivered you to the wrong shore! What do you think? |