Salvation -The Doors to Life

"Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: If any may hear My voice, and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with Me" (Revelation 3:20)

Salvation/The Doors to Life

Dr. Sid Collison

   What is salvation" Most Christians or those who understand the historical position would readily answer, "It is being saved, knowing Christ as your Savior, being born again; it is knowing that you are going to heaven when you die."

  You're right. It is all of the above. Those who are Christians, and most who claim to be, at least understand the concept of being born again. In fact, the terminology "born again" has become a popular term, particularly among some politicians at election time. The unregenerate, as well as the carnal Christian, will not hesitate to use the Christian identification at any time that it will promote the cause of the flesh.

  Of the hundreds of people that I have seen in my counseling ministry, the majority come to me with two very definite characteristics. First, they believe that they are saved, born again, Christians; and second, their lives are totally miserable and unhappy. Some come with anxiety, hostility, panic attacks, eating disorders, lust problems, demonic activity, thought of suicide, having attempted suicide, marriages that are disintegrating, and overwhelming depression. In other words, all of the things that are happening in the world are happening to the Christian or those who think that they are Christians.

  Have you ever wondered, "Is this the way life is supposed to be for one who is a child of God?" No! I believe the answer is found by understanding what the scripture means by the word "Salvation."

  LOOK WITH ME NOW AT THE “THREE DOORS OF SALVATION.”

The Three doors of salvation: Savior, Lord and Life.

  The Hebrew and Greek words for salvation set forth the ideas of deliverance, security, preservation, healing, and soundness. Salvation is the great inclusive word of the Gospel setting forth the redemptive acts and processes of justification, redemption, grace, forgiveness, and sanctification, just to name a few. Salvation is in three tenses or doors. Each door opens as the key of faith is used (Ephesians 2:9, Revelations 3:20) and once through the door, it closes behind the believer and is never opened again as God is faithful to His word.

DOOR ONE: JESUS AS SAVIOR

  The believer is saved from the guilt and penalty of sin, he is "born again." Once the believer accepts Christ, he is eternally secure. He knows the Savior and is a "new creature in Christ" (2 Corinthians 5:17, Luke 7:50, 1 Corinthians 1:8, John 3:1-21). Many try to teach that this is the end of God's program for man and that when a man is born again there is no further need. If that is true, then why are so many who know the Savior so unhappy and unfulfilled? The answer may be found in understanding what is meant by Paul's admonition to the Philippians to work out their salvation with fear and trembling (Philippians 2:12).

DOOR TWO: JESUS AS LORD

  The believer is being saved from the habit and the dominion of sin. He is accepting Jesus as Lord and Master (Romans 6:14, Romans 12:1, Philippians 1:19, Philippians 2:12,13, 2 Thessalonians 2:13)

DOOR THREE: JESUS AS LIFE

  The believer is in the process of being brought into conformity to the image of Christ (Romans 8:29, Romans 13:11, Hebrews 10:36, 1 Peter 1:5, 1 John 3:2)

  Only as the believer comes into the fullness of his identity with Christ and the "Exchanged Life" will his life take on the abundance of the supernatural blessings the Lord has intended for His children (Galatians 5:22-25).

Copyright 1996-1998 by RAB Tech and/or Life Exchange Ministry

Blackmon, Selma, editor. The Exchanged Life News. Volume 3 Issue 2. January 12, 2003.