Salvation Matters

There are biblical reasons as to why Salvation matters, but for the purpose of this article, I would like to focus only on one aspect of why Salvation matters. And that is Salvation produces works in and through us. The kind of works that salvation produces in us and how it affects others around us is vitally important in how we live our lives and the way we serve others. 

"May you always be filled with the fruit of your salvation - the righteous character produced in your life by Jesus Christ - for this will bring much glory and praise to God." 

~ Philippians 1 vs 11, NLT

Those are powerful words from Paul, he knew exactly what he was talking about. He spoke from experience, as he always does. Receiving Salvation from Jesus Christ isn't an empty belief system where a person thinks that he or she is saved from sin and that's the end of the story. It is so much more than that. I believe that those who think in that manner are sorely mistaken and the requirement for them is true repentance and to go back and circumspectly study the scriptures. 

Our Salvation must produce 'Fruit' and that 'Fruit' is the "Righteous character produced in your life by Jesus Christ." ~ Philippians 1 vs 11

A 'righteous character' is that which is produced through Salvation in our lives. Just by reading Philippians chapters 1 and 2 will reveal biblical principles for us as individuals and as the corporate body of Christ. Principles that develop righteous character in you, and the purpose of a righteous character is that which "brings much glory and praise to God." (vs. 11, NLT)

A godly character through Salvation honours God more than anything else. For, you see, people can have good characters and bad characters too. But a 'Righteous Character' isn't based on our own righteousness. For when we recieve Salvation, we recieve the righteousness of Christ. It is not in our own doing, but that which Christ has already accomplished on the cross for us, in that, we recieve his righteousness. It is his righteousness in us that allows us to produce and live out a godly character that brings 'praise and glory to God'. 

In verse 10, Paul says, "For I want you to understand what really matters, so that you may live pure and blameless lives until the day of Christ's return". (NLT) And then he proceeds on to verse 11, talking about the fruit of Salvation being produced in us, a 'righteous character'. Verse 10 is important also, because Paul says that he wants the Philippians "to understand what really matters" (NLT). And what 'really matters' is our Salvation producing fruit of godly characters in us, allowing us to live pure and blameless lives until the return of Jesus Christ. And it must bring glory and praise to our God. 

Paul speaks in verse 27 till the end of chapter one and even going into chapter two, he talks to the Philippians about working together.

A few things he mentions are, 'living as citizens of heaven in a manner worthy of the good news of Christ' (vs 27). 'Standing together in one spirit' (vs 27). 'One purpose' (vs 27). 'Fighting together for the faith' (vs 27). Not to be 'intimidated in any way by your enemies' (vs 28). We have the privilege of trusting in Christ' (vs 29). 'Also the privilege of suffering for him' (vs 29). 

These are just a few of the principles here that he mentions, that can only come through a righteous character produced through Salvation that only comes throuh Jesus Christ alone. And there are many more principles that he talks about in chapter 2. 

And so friends, I ask you a simple question, is the Salvation you have recieved from our Lord produced in you a righteous character ? 

In any which way you choose to answer that question, you will know the answer by your fruits. 

"When you produce much fruit, you are my true disciples. This brings glory to my Father." ~ John 15 vs 8 (NLT)

And again,

"You didn't choose me. I chose you. I appointed you to go and produce lasting fruit, so that the Father will give you whatever you ask for, usingmy name. This is my command: Love each other." ~ John 15 vs 16, 17 (NLT) 

In Matthew 7 vs 15 following, Jesus speaks of false prophets, but the principle is true for us also, that we are all recognizable by our fruits. 

"You will know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes from thornbushes or figs from thistles? Even so, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a bad tree bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down an thrown into the fire. THEREFORE BY THEIR FRUITS YOU WILL KNOW THEM.                  ~ (Matthew 7 vs 16 - 20, NKJV, My Emphasis Added). 

Whichever way you see it, we all produce fruit, either good or bad. At the end of the day, only you can choose Salvation because that's only way to produce a righteous character and good fruit.

I leave you with the latter part of Philippians 2 vs 12, "...Work out your own salvation with fear and trembling."                                                                       ~(NKJV)

Blessings always, 

Shane

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