Salvation

Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, to those who are elect exiles of the dispersion in Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, in the sanctification of the Spirit, for obedience to Jesus Christ and for sprinkling with his blood: May grace and peace be multiplied to you. Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance that is imperishable, undefiled, and unfading, kept in heaven for you, who by God’s power are being guarded through faith for a salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. (1 Peter 1:1-5 ESV).

The word “salvation” is a great Biblical word. At times it is used of the initial experience of deliverance and thus redemption. This is the initiation of the Christian life as we first put our trust in Christ. It is then that we are saved from the awful penalty of sin. This is history for all those who have been born again. In other places it is used of the process and thus sanctification. This is that glorious process that is now in progress. It is the daily deliverance from the power of sin. Peter is using this word to refer to the final act of salvation and thus glorification. He is referring to the great event that will take place at the Second coming of Christ. It will be the final deliverance and vindication of the saints. It will be their deliverance into the ultimate expression of the rule of God where they will live eternally with God.

It is only a matter of time. The only reason this salvation has not been fully revealed is that the divinely established time has not arrived. But, we are kept, guarded, reserved until that time.

Let me close with this final short illustration…

A group of botanists went on an expedition into a hard-to-reach location in the Alps, searching for new varieties of flowers. One day as a scientist looked through his binoculars, he saw a beautiful, rare species growing at the bottom of a deep ravine. To reach it, someone would have to be lowered into that gorge. Noticing a local youngster standing nearby, the man asked him if he would help them get the flower. The boy was told that a rope would be tied around his waist and the men would then lower him to the floor of the canyon. Excited yet apprehensive about the adventure, the youngster peered thoughtfully into the chasm. "Wait," he said, "I'll be back," and off he dashed. When he returned, he was accompanied by an older man. Approaching the head botanist, the boy said, "I'll go over the cliff now and get the flower for you, but this man must hold onto the rope.” “Why him?” they asked. The boy answered simply, “He's my dad!"

The resurrection of Jesus proves to us that our Dad is holding the rope! NOW… can you sing Rising, He Justified Me Freely Forever? I can!