Posts Tagged ‘salvation’

15 results.
Apr14

Cutting Off Your Hand to Spite Your Sin

Posted In: WE Got Answers
I watched the video entitled, “I am is Not is Not” http://www.worldvieweverlasting.com/2013/03/01/i-am-is-not-is-not/ and was wondering if Pastor Fisk could explain how the I am statements by Jesus are different from His statements in Mark 9:42-50. What makes the statement to cut off one’s hand or pluck out one’s eye figurative?

Thanks! ~R

Dear R:

Jesus is NOT speaking figuratively in Mark 9:42-50, He means literally every word he says. If a person thinks they can rid themselves of sin, what Jesus describes is how they must go about it. Sin is SO deeply entrenched, that one would have to cut away the flesh that is infected with it in order to rid themselves of it. Of course, the problem is that in order to wipe out sin in this fashion, one would have to mutilate oneself to death. So, if we cannot rid ourselves of sin, what can save us? Jesus can! Jesus does! That’s the whole point. Jesus is teaching the twelve (who had just been arguing about who among them was the greatest) to stop trusting in themselves, and trust in Christ alone. Believing oneself to be great in and of oneself is no different than believing that one can remove one’s own sin. It is vanity. Jesus teaches them humility. Be like little children! Little children are 100% helpless and dependent upon others for their survival. So too, we are 100% dependent upon God for our eternal life. Jesus very literal words paint us a horrific picture of what we’d have to do if our salvation were up to us. Thanks be to God it has all already been accomplished in Him!

Yours in the Service of Christ,

+Rev. Jeffrey Ries
Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church of Tacoma, WA

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Nov28

Baptism Now Saves You! Really!!!

Posted In: WE Got Answers
I understand and believe in Baptismal Regeneration. Not all those who are baptized as infants come to faith in Christ. Do we Lutherans believe that you are saved because you were baptized as a baby regardless if you reject Christ as an adult?
Dear J:

All those who are Baptized are saved. Baptism is the promise of salvation. Faith receives Baptism, and Baptism works faith. We cannot point to any particular Baptized infant and say that that infant lacks faith in Christ. We can only trust in God’s command to Baptize and His promise to save. Not only are infants are capable of faith, if you think about it, faith or trust is all that infants have! They trust that they will be fed and nurtured. If only we stayed so receptive and trusting our entire lives!

Sadly, that a person would later reject Christ is perfectly natural. By nature, as sinners, we reject the promises of God. Without the reception of the Word, we are all in danger of loosing our faith. There have been many who have been Baptized who have also rejected Christ. In the Parable of the Sower (Mark 4:10-20), Christ teaches us that there are many who receive the Word and yet it does not take root. Remember that Baptism is not something apart from the Word. It is a visible Word — the promise of God made personal. For this reason, even if someone walks away from the faith, we can point them back to their Baptism. We may fail, but God’s Word does not fail.

Rev. Robert O. Riebau

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Nov01

Baptism: A “Thief on the Cross” Moment

Posted In: WE Got Answers
We in the LCMS church teach that baptism is salvation, but, clearly, belief is also necessary for saving faith. So what about someone who comes to belief, but dies before they are baptized? In Mark 23:40-42, when the thief on the cross turns to Jesus after rebuking the other thief he asks Jesus “remember me when you come into your kingdom”. Jesus tells him in verse 43, “truly, I say to you, today you will be with me in Paradise”. We don’t know if the thief was baptized or not. ~A
Dear A:

Salvation is first and foremost about God’s Word and promise. The thief on the cross receives the Word and promise from Christ, “Today, you will be with me, etc.” Faith clings to the Word of the promise. Baptism is a “thief on the cross” moment for the one being Baptized — young or old. It is the Word and promise of God delivered personally to an individual.

Rev. Robert O. Riebau

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Sep06

Resistance is Futile with God’s Grace in Christ

Posted In: WE Got Answers
I get how salvation is passive, a gift of God, and we cannot accept it by making a decision for Christ, how then can we reject salvation and walk away once we are justified?

Thanks for your response. R

Dear R,

Dear R:

We confess this paradoxical truth simply because Scripture teaches it. Even so, while reason cannot be completely satisfied, it does make sense. We are, by nature, sinful and unclean. It is completely within our nature to reject God. When converted, we are simultaneously sinners and saints. The Old Adam lives with us until the day we die. While it is not within our sinful nature to accept that which is holy, it is completely within our nature to reject it. God’s grace is resistible. Only God can break through our resistance and give us faith. Jesus says that he longed to gather his people, but they “would not” (Matt. 23:37ff). God breaks through our resistance only by his grace. We do not know why some are saved and not others. but we do know that those who are saved should never take some of the credit by boasting of their decision. To God alone be the glory!

Rev. Robert O. Riebau

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Aug28

Out of Heart, Does True Poopy Come

Posted In: vlog

Worldview Everlasting GreekTuesday takes on Mark 7:14-23
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