IS SALVATION AN EXPERIENCE?
I remember those days when #20 note was big money. My Dad was earning well and he takes good care of us. A loving dad you will say. On a particular day, i don't even know whether it was the Devil that pushed me or i pushed myself to enter his room. I can't remember what i was looking for. As i ransacked the room, guess what i found?
Just at the edge of the wardrobe, notes of #20 and in fact MINT. I hit jackpot! Dipping my hand in it, i picked few notes without counting and left. On getting to school the following day, i lived a "big boy" lifestyle, buying food and assorted meat. Oh! How i love food. I wasn't a fan of alcoholic drink (sorry to disappoint you).
Went back some days later and still found the money there. This time i became more courageous to pick more. It continued for a few months until i got to his room and i touched the same spot, i couldn't find my bank (there was no ATM in those days). So disappointed i left. However, experience of missing money made a lasting impression on him and made him change location of his money.
How does this relate to the title above? Kindly read on. Does this have to be a topic of discussion? Everyone knows that Salvation is an experience, this is why it is called "Salvation Experience". But on discussing with people at different times, the salvation they claimed to have received hasn't changed anything about them.
Salvation is from the Greek word SOTERIA which means Salvation or Deliverance. From the word, it can be deduced that
1. There is someone who is powerless and needs saving.
2. There is someone holding the powerless person captive
3. There is a Saviour, someone who is powerful than the captor/oppressor.
Experience on the other hand as defined by Cambridge online dictionary is an event or occurrence which leaves an impression on someone.
Back to the question, let us consider one of the great conversion in human history (you might want to argue this) - Brother Saul. The story is found in Acts 9:1-19. Saul was both a Jew and a Roman citizen, educated by Gamaliel the most famous Rabbi at the time. A zealous man who practiced Judaism to the point of persecuting those "belonging to the Way" Acts 9:2
How Did Saul Get Saved?
While on his mission to bring people bound from Damascus, a bright light from heaven shone around him Acts 9:3. Something profound hit me in the next verse. Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting ME? (ESV) (Emphasis mine). WHAT? Saul thought he was dealing with fellow humans not knowing he was dealing with Jesus. No wonder the Bible says "for whoever touches you touches the apple of his eye" Zechariah 2:8 (NIV) and Jesus while speaking a parable said "The King will reply, 'Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me." Matthew 25:40 (NIV)
Whatsoever anyone does to you (lie, hurt, insult, attack e.t.c) know they did it to Jesus and not you. If Jesus could intervene in the case of the church, He will intervene in yours.
To be continued...
Note: This post was expanded from the Bible Study at New Exploits Baptist Church on Wednesday 5th of December 2018.
Pastor Oyedeji Johnson
Image Credit: Staying the Course Ministries
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