Saved from what?

The word “salvation” means “rescue.”  And in this rescue the believer is rescued from two different objects.  He is rescued from the wrath of God — in a very real sense, salvation is not just to God, but also from God — from His wrath.  But the believer is also rescued from the ongoing effect of sin — he not only no longer has to sin, but he is called to and empowered to live a life of holiness.  Said succinctly, the truth is that the believer is saved both from the penalty and power of sin.

Most people appreciate the former, and too many are reticent to embrace the latter.  We don’t want to suffer the consequences of sin, though there is sometimes still a desire for the passing pleasures of sin.  A. W. Pink noted the implications of this reality on the practice of evangelism:

The nature of Christ’s salvation is woefully misrepresented by the present-day ‘evangelist.’ He announces a Saviour from hell rather than a Saviour from sin. And that is why so many are fatally deceived, for there are multitudes who wish to escape the Lake of fire who have no desire to be delivered from their carnality and worldliness.

HT:  CQOD