When you think of salvation what do you think of?  Do you think of openness and the ability to live life free?  If you’re anything like me, you didn’t think about peace.  

Biblical peace – Jesus peace – isn’t like what you see on TV.  It isn’t interested in everyone getting along and tolerating one another, but it has everything to do with salvation. 

Biblical peace is about wholeness and it comes from salvation.

The gift of salvation IS this wholeness

Jesus tells us.

27 Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.

John 14:27 KJV

This word for Peace in the Greek is Eiréné.

Eiréné

wholeness, i.e. when all essential parts are joined together

(Strong’s Greek 1515)

I don’t know about you, but that makes me happy!  When I realized that Biblical peace meant that all essential parts are joined together, I realized now I have everything!

Salvation is an all inclusive term.  It’s the wholeness of the spirit first, that gives way to the renewing of the soul (mind, will and emotions) which will eventually lead us to glorified bodies one day in heaven. 

This salvation – this wholeness – is the reason I can live healthy, make wise choices, live blessed, and all around prosper in everything I do. 

Why do I feel so empty?

17 Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.

2 Corinthians 5:17 KJV

I can remember the day that this scripture verse came alive to me. It is talking about the new birth – salvation.  Jesus took away the old things that were in me.  He gave me a new wholeness.  

“… all things are become new”

No, that’s not a typo.  I used to think that it was just a bad translation that left the word are instead of have.  No that’s not the case.  

Think of a new car or bike.  Someday that new car is going to become an old car because it’s only new once.  

That isn’t the case with salvation! Every morning those old things ARE become new – actively.

If it wasn’t an active process then someday my salvation would be old.  I’d wear it out.  I’d scuff it up and I’d be in trouble, but THANK GOD I can’t scuff it up because every moment of every hour of every day my old things ARE BECOME NEW! 

This peace (wholeness) can’t be comprehended

7 And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.

Philippians 4:7 KJV

You know you’ve heard the saying, “If it’s too good to be true then it probably is.” 

A lot of people want to preach that salvation brings a perfect life – it doesn’t.  Salvation isn’t a get out of jail free card.  Salvation isn’t able to keep bad things from happening, but it does give you the relationship with God to deal with those bad things.

Sin is death.  It draws people in with enticing words and promises of wholeness and then puts you in bondage.  I have a whole post on the bondage to sin that this world is in if you’re interested. 

13 And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses;

14 Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross;

15 And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it.

Colossians 2:13-15 KJV

Jesus took that sin and obliterated it. This sin that has you bound can be removed.  The addictions, appetites, pleasures that only last for a little while can all be replaced with true and everlasting wholeness that leaves you satisfied with your life from the inside out. 

The salvation Jesus gave you is free, but it isn’t cheap.  

8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:

9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.

Ephesians 2:8-9 KJV

This word “by grace” in the Greek means “freely extending”.  Jesus freely extended himself on the cross.  It cost Jesus His life to give you the opportunity to have a relationship with God again.  

In truth, Jesus is expecting something in return. He wants you to live your life for Him.  

Jesus gave up everything for you.  Will you do the same?

6 Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God:

7 But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:

8 And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.

9 Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name:

10 That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth;

11 And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

Philippians 2:6-11 KJV

Jesus already decided to die for you.  Will you live for Him?  

He didn’t just die and rise again.  Jesus gave up His position of power to become just like you and I.  He isn’t any different from you or me. When we receive the gift of salvation we become part of the family of God.  

16 The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:

17 And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.

Romans 8:16-17 KJV

ACTION STEP: Believe Jesus died and rose again.  Confess Him as your Lord and choose to live your life HIS way.

People want to say that you can live any way you want and still go to heaven.  They’re wrong.  Jesus gave up His status, His position, His life and all the comforts that He had to bring us back into the family.  

The least we can do is listen to what He has to say about how we live our lives. 

The Salvation Process

13 For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.

Romans 10:13 KJV

It really is that simple.  

The Bible isn’t meant to be hard to understand.  Jesus wants a relationship with you and this is how you get it. 

The ONLY WAY

I hear a lot of people trying to convince themselves that they can live this way or work their way into heaven. They can’t.  I can’t fix what’s broken inside of me.  I need an external thing to do that.  His name is Jesus. 

6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me.

John 14:6 KJV

He isn’t just the way He’s the ONLY way.  

The PRAYER

I’ve included a prayer at the end of this post.  If you die tomorrow and aren’t sure that you’re going to heaven, then you need to stop and make the biggest decision of your life. 

Pray the prayer below and accept the free gift of salvation that Jesus purchased for you on the cross.  

“Dear Lord Jesus, I know that I am a sinner, and I ask for Your forgiveness. I believe You died for my sins and rose from the dead, and I turn from my sins and invite You to come into my heart and life. I want to trust and follow You as my Lord and Savior. In Jesus Name, Amen.”

Prayer of Salvation

You’ll remember this day for the rest of your life because this is the day your life completely changed for the better.