Series: The Gospel: It's Not...
Message: About Salvation
Preacher: Mark Johnson
Daily Walk: Mark Johnson

Refresh: Open with prayer. Read or listen to Psalm 96:10-13.

Read:  Exodus 32:32; Romans 9:3 (NIV). As you read the New International Version, note 1-3 insights.

Reflect:  If I asked you to think of a tree, or a car, or a house, each of you would have a different picture in mind. You would all have the same basic construct, but the image in your mind would be completely different than all the others. Words are important, but it takes more than words to communicate clearly.
It is even more problematic if we are talking about something intangible—like salvation. The thoughts that would be conjured up with the word “salvation” would also vary from person to person. Some of you may think of the Garden of Eden. Some may “see” Christ returning on clouds of glory. A few of you might have paintings of heaven by Harry Anderson in mind. I doubt if any of you would think of a hospital.
In both the Latin and Greek languages, though, healing and saving, are almost interchangeable.  In the New Testament, the same Greek word, “sozo”, is used when talking about how Jesus would “save” His people from their sins (Matthew 1:21), and when describing the “healing” of the woman who touched the hem of Christ’s garment (Matthew 9:21, 22).  It could just as easily be said that Jesus “healed” His people from their sins and that the woman was “saved” by touching His garment. This has led to at least two major theological views of justification—what constitutes sin, and what is needed to take care of it.
One view is that sin is a legal problem, keeping us from being saved. The solution is forgiveness.  Mankind has broken the rules, and something had to be done to convince God to forgive us. The second view is that sin is a broken relationship with God. The solution is healing. Mankind has lost trust in God and has rebelled against Him and His government, something had to be done to heal this broken relationship. The first view focuses on judgment, forgiveness, penalties and punishments. The second view focuses on trust, love, relationship and new birth.
Each view can be supported with proof texts.  Is one a better, more realistic view of the Gospel?

Recalibrate: ​ 

1. ​​How does a focus on either forgiveness or healing influence your picture of God's character?
2. Proof texts are great, but can you get a clear picture of the Great Controversy without all of the Bible?

Respond: Pray for healing in your human relationships and your relationship with God.

Research: Read one of the suggested books from the bibliography.