Path: utzoo!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!cs.utexas.edu!swrinde!zaphod.mps.ohio-state.edu!samsung!rex!ukma!seismo!dimacs.rutgers.edu!aramis.rutgers.edu!athos.rutgers.edu!christian From: st0o+@andrew.cmu.edu (Steven Timm) Newsgroups: soc.religion.christian Subject: Re: Does JUSTIFICATION = SALVATION ? Message-ID: Date: 12 Feb 91 09:33:22 GMT Sender: hedrick@athos.rutgers.edu Lines: 30 Approved: christian@aramis.rutgers.edu I think it's quite possible that justification is equivalent to salvation. The story of the thief on the cross receiving assurance of pardon and salvation from sin bears this out well. I think too often when discussing the Christian life after the initial justification, we cast it in terms of what one *has* to do after justification to be saved, or how one can lose ones salvation. The point is that if every action we make in the Christian life is geared towards attaining our own salvation, then we are Christians for the wrong reason. Some people believe they have to do good works to be saved and spend their whole life trying to do enough good works. Others think all you have to do is believe and spend their whole life trying to believe. I think what God wants us to do is realize, "Hey, you're saved already!" "Believe it, it's yours. *Now* go out and help others who need it rather than spending your whole life trying to save your own hide." The issue is not how the gift of salvation is gained or lost, it's what you do with it after you get it. The beauty of God is that he's willing to work with all these people who seek Him for selfish motivations, and transform our motivations. Steve Timm Steven Timm Physics Department Carnegie Mellon "Shame on you, and shame on you again for converting me into a bullet and shooting me into men's hearts." Richard Harris c 1972