SAVED FROM WHAT?

All during the Christmas season we blithely sing

Christ Our Savior is born, Christ our savior is born.

Saved from what, a close friend asks?

What does salvation really mean? 

Salvation literally means to save one from harm.

In Baptism we will be washed from the taint of original sin and be saved. Saved from the harm of eternal damnation in hell, says the old literalist view of salvation.

That view continues that one must be baptized and accept Jesus as you lord and savior.

What about people who have never heard of Jesus? Will they not be saved but be consigned to hell.

The all-loving God loves, forgive and holds us in his love. “There is absolutely nothing you can do to stop God from loving you.” That is the God I believe in.

Salvation Army – Faith in Jesus and Good works.

The Salvation Army evangelical religion that does god works around the world. You are saved when you believe in Jesus.  It is very much like a monastic community. They expect absolute obedience to their leader, wear a costume or uniform, live simply, celibacy before marriage, anti-LGBT. And collect money, do incredible good works around the world.

Years ago some Salvation Army captains Captains came to see me about gay rights.  I did not convince them.

“Sal’ ve” is the same word as salve, a healing ointment. Salvation means to be made whole, full, healthy, strong and also vulnerable.

When I choose to follow Jesus I am on a path to be saved from a broken and sinful human condition. I am not without imperfections. I can still be stupid and make lousy choices but I am moving along toward a healthy and wholesome life.

Here are a couple of examples of people who follow Jesus:

A woman said her life is “mainly involved bringing up the couple’s children as part of the church by teaching them Bible stories, bringing them to church, and helping them learn what it means to be a member of the body of Christ. I know it is not much, but right now I think it is what God wants me to do.”

“…next a young man, a bureaucrat in a state agency, told his congregation that he comes to church to be reminded that Christians don’t lie. Every day I am surrounded with lies, and it is hard to resist becoming part of the system of lies. I know I am not going to get ahead in the government but I can’t lie without God making me tell the truth.

Janaye Murphy, you will be baptized today. You will become a follower of Jesus.

Her is what I believe following Jesus means.

My life works best when I follow Jesus.

That means I want to be:

Fully loving

Fully forgiving – even loving my enemies

Fully thankful for all the unearned gifts I have been given

Fully serving others

       Civil Right

       LGBT Rights

       Immigrants Rights

       Peace

In our church –Julian Pantry, El Por Venir, pastoral care,    immigration reform etc

My salvation comes, my health and wholeness comes by following Jesus life and teaching.

That is what I mean by Jesus is my savior.