Simple But Not Easy

Salvation is the central theme of the Bible, and indeed, the very heart of the gospel. The promise of salvation is what stirs the heart of the new believer and continues to encourage Christians until the time they are called home. Salvation is a promise, a reality, and a hope. 

Maybe, you grew up in the church and heard people talking about salvation, or being “saved”, multiple times.

It is interesting what that word has come to mean for people. 

For some, the word “saved” is a weird word that their Christian friends use. You know they want you to do it, but you're just not sure what it means.

For others, it’s a word so overused it can be mocked. “Oh no, I guess I need to be ‘saved!’”

For most of us, it's just a misunderstood word. 

In the last 50-60 years, we have reduced the word “saved” to something I don't believe God ever intended it to be. 

We reduced the word “saved” to a single prayer. One that is singularly focused on getting me out of hell.

After all, who wants to go there… seriously, who? So, let’s get saved.

What I have observed is that when we don't correctly understand salvation, we feel the need to get saved again. And again… and again. After all, we just want to make sure, right?

Some of us say, "I prayed this prayer as a kid," or "I prayed this prayer one Sunday at a church, or at a thing, or at a camp, or even here at Next Level, but I'm just not sure."

Here’s the thing, the prayer you prayed was not an end point; it’s really just a starting point. 

It is in the process of salvation that we find the assurance that we want.

Assurance is simple, but getting there may not be easy.

This is exactly what we are going to talk about as we go through this series on Theology Matters.

I hope you can make it.