 |
The Common Salvation
Jude wrote of the common
salvation. He spoke not of a low-level or mediocre salvation, but of a
great salvation shared in a common or same basis by all partakers of it.
Consider some of the ways our great salvation is common.
Salvation through Christ is common to all races. It is not just for
white Americans. It is equally available to Blacks, Indians, Orientals,
or any other race that might exist (Romans 1:16,17; Colossians
3:10,11). Too long, racial prejudice has caused people to ignore the
need of all people to hear the gospel and to become servants of
righteousness. No race has an exclusive claim to the gospel. With
difficulty, Peter and the Jews learned this lesson, and it is recorded
for our instruction (Acts 10 and 11).
Salvation through Christ is common to both sexes. There is no
exclusion of women or degrading of them in this salvation (Galatians
3:28). While there are distinctive and different responsibilities
set forth in the Scriptures for men and women, salvation is equally
available to both (I Timothy 2:8-15).
Salvation through Christ is common to all levels of society. The
idea that Christianity is a middle class, white American religion is
false in its very concept. Rich and poor, great and small have right to
the common salvation. Any obstacles to their receiving this salvation
are either purely incidental or of their own attitudes. Sacrifice is
required of all (Colossians 3:11; James 1:9-11). The common
salvation is a great equalizer. Again, social prejudice has caused
people to neglect to teach those of other social levels than one's own.
Some would exclude from the church those whose lives have been extremely
shameful - harlots, ex-convicts, etc. The truth is that Christ died for
these and for all sinners (Hebrews 2:9).
Salvation through Christ is common to all nations. It is not a
"Western" religion, while other religions are suitable for the "Eastern"
world. "In every nation, he that feareth him and worketh
righteousness, is acceptable to him" (Acts 10:34,35). The
Great Commission was for all nations (Matthew 28:19,20).
Salvation through Christ is obtained by common obedience (Hebrews
5:8-9). Each one who hears is responsible to believe in Jesus as the
Christ, to repent of his sins, to confess his faith in Christ, and to be
baptized for the remission of his sins (Mark 16:16; Luke 13:3;
Matthew 10:32; Acts 2:38). Having thus entered into newness of life,
all can rejoice in the common salvation and earnestly contend for that
faith (Romans 6:3-4; Galatians 3:26,27; II Corinthians 5:17; Jude 1-3)
Do you have that joy?
-- By Gilbert Alexander
|
