Salvation & Sin

   Sin is defined as any failure to conform to the moral law of God in act, attitude, or nature.  Salvation is when a person abandons their sinful nature and accepts Christ as their savior and Lord of their life.  To receive salvation a person must receive the effective calling which is defined as: an act of God the Father, speaking through the human proclamation of the gospel, in which He summons people unto Himself in such a way that they respond in saving faith.  So, effective calling can not be received without someone first hearing the gospel call which is a general calling given to all, those who accept it and those who do not, through human speech.  Once a person receives the effective calling of the Lord he or she goes through a process of regeneration, or being born again.  Being born again is when a person begins to truly go though a spiritual transformation and is given the ability to "see" life with a new and true perspective.

   Hopefully this post helps bring clarity to anyone with questions, or helps to arise an inquisition of one's self. I know it is a topic I have always tried to fully grasp, and I'm not saying I still have all the answers. In the end true salvation is the condition of one's true character and heart, and that only God can see.  I lived my whole life in and out of church, but for so long wondered if I ever really "got it".  I asked God into my heart over and over because I would fail and think maybe I wasn't really saved, and ask again to just fail again, and again, and again, etc. But, personally, I think we look at our actions so much that our heart becomes about "doing the right thing" instead of being the right person. Take King David for example. He slept with a married woman, got her pregnant, killed her husband, and had another man assassinated while he (King David) was on his death bed!? Yet, God blessed him and still speaks highly of him in scripture. We can't explain God's mercy, and like me, it can take years to accept it, but once you do your life is radically changed. Now, I have received a bit of a grasp on God's grace for my life and past. I have had my effective calling.  There has been true spiritual growth and revelation to my life.  Does this mean I'm perfect? No! Not at all. But the Christian walk is about progress, not perfection. And the above part about regeneration; it doesn't happen over night. Trust me. But, now that my eyes have been opened to the full picture, so many scriptures and biblical stories that I grew up hearing are now truly impacting my life and are so much more clear and applicable to my life.

   The topic of Sin and Salvation is a foundational truth for the Christian Faith because our very existence revolves around them both.  In the beginning Satan fell due to the sin of pride.  After his fall he then looked to destroy God's greatest masterpiece; man.  Before mankind was even created there was sin.  Then, through sin man fell, and because of our sin we then needed a savior to make us worthy of our Father's presence again.  Until man realizes that he is sinful and requires salvation to be a Christian, there is no foundation.

Servanthood

Servanthood is what Jesus-style leadership is all about.  Servanthood is motivated by love and not out of obligation.  It is made up of selfless acts done out of generosity in which the giver does not expect anything in return.  The attitude of servanthood stems from Christ's humility.  It allows Christians to break down barriers.  God has shown great mercy on all believers and the act of servanthood is the ability a believer has to show God's mercy to those around him or her.

Servanthood is why you and I were created.  We were created to serve God and to serve Him by serving others.  Also, by serving others we are given an opportunity to lead others to Christ.  When people can see such a selfless act being done by others with such joy they are going to long to have that same experience.  The ability to draw others to Christ is our main objective, or desire, once we ourselves become Christians.  We as Christians are told to go out as representatives of Christ and make disciples.  Finally, servanthood is the action of showing love to the oppressed which is where my heart is.  I long to go out in the world and find those with no hope and tell them that the greatest source of hope loves them and longs to be their strength.

Servanthood is a foundational truth of the Christian Faith because it is what Christ was about.  Christ came to serve and not to be served, so we as followers should long to do the same thing.  When we serve others we are revealing to them who God is, which is why man was created.  God created us to show His glory and to receive glory from us.  The more we can show the essence of God through our serving the more we are in turn giving God His rightful glory.  So, we must embrace everyday as Christ would and despite the ridicule, the pain, and the persecution we much continue to love all through His eyes.