Worldview: Understanding the Fundamentals of My faith 4. (Salvation)
Recap the focus on Let me introduce to my God:
This development in the concept of salvation corresponds with changes in beliefs regarding life after death: As views about the afterlife became more optimistic, the understanding of salvation expanded beyond the present world to include hopes for divine deliverance and even resurrection in the world to come.
• יָשַׁע (yasha') and יְשׁוּעָה (yeshu'ah)—Hebrew words most often translated as “save” and “salvation”;
• נָצַל (natsal)—also Hebrew, usually translated as “rescue”; and
• σῴζω (sōzō) and σωτηρία (sōtēria)—Greek words meaning “save” and “salvation.”
Salvation is a blessing brought to us through Jesus Christ - Eph 1:1-5
Another Hebrew word, ḥāsîd H2883, has stronger moral overtones (“faithful, pious, godly, kind”). Related to ḥesed H2876 (see LOVINGKINDNESS; MERCY), it is never applied to objects used in worship, but only to people (twice to God).
the supernatural assistance of God bestowed upon a rational being with a view to his sanctification.
In Christian doctrine, this term refers to unmerited divine favor. In summary form, the Christian message is “the gospel of God’s grace” (Acts 20:24).
Grace in the New Testament
In addition to the Old Testament aspects of grace, the New Testament focuses upon:
• Grace in relation to salvation.
• Spiritual gifts being referred to as “graces.”
• The literary use of grace in beginning or ending of many New Testament letters.
The Grace of God and of Christ
God and Christ are described in terms of their graciousness throughout the New Testament:
• (1 Pet 5:10) The Father is called “the God of all grace” (HCSB).
• (Eph 1:7) Speaks of “the riches of His grace,” the recognition of which should be to “the praise of His glorious grace” (HCSB).
• (John 1:14) Describes Jesus as “full of grace and truth” (HCSB).
• The majority of Paul’s letters end with “the grace of our Lord Jesus” (e.g., Rom 16:20; 1 Cor 16:23; Phlm 25).
• (2 Thess 1:12) God and Christ are linked in regard to their χάρις (charis), “the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ” (HCSB).
Salvation as an Act of Grace
For both Jews and Gentiles, salvation was a gracious act: “For you are saved by grace through faith, and this is not from yourselves; it is God’s gift—not from works, so that no one can boast” (Eph 2:8–9 HCSB).
Salvation is bring with it redemption and forgiveness of our sins - Eph 1:7-9
Boaz’s marriage to the widow Ruth is often understood as a kinsman-redeemer act (Hubbard, “Redemption,” 717). However, according to the law, marriage was not a role for a kinsman-redeemer. A more likely explanation is that since there was no male heir for Elimelech’s land, the redemption of property triggered the levirate law (Deut 25:5–10) so that the name of Elimelech could be raised up on his property (Ruth 4:5, 10; see Lau, Identity and Ethics). The concept of redemption is understood in its broader sense of restoration of name on family property, along with restoration of Ruth and Naomi’s well-being.
God as redeemer is a prominent theme in the Bible. Throughout Scripture, He is the one who redeems both individuals and the nation of Israel. God is presented as a redeemer in legal contexts, where He acts to vindicate and plead the case on a person’s behalf (Job 19:25; Prov 23:11; on the former verse see Hartley, The Book of Job, 292–94). He also redeems in the general sense of preserving or saving people from death during famine (Job 5:20). God’s redemption of individuals is a prominent theme in Psalms, where the psalmists pray for redemption or deliverance from a variety of circumstances, including enemies (e.g., Pss 31:4–5; 69:18), oppression and violence (Psa 72:14), and Sheol and death (Psa 49:15). Scripture attests that God redeems those who cannot help themselves, including the poor and needy (e.g., Psa 72:12–14). Two events in the Old Testament demonstrate God’s redemption of Israel:
Prudence is a character trait that describes one’s ability to exercise discretion or careful management. It connotes caution, circumspection, wisdom and discernment—qualities not prominent in most people.