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On Catch-Phrase Salvation

Pamela Kirkpatrick. Price Seventh-day Adventist Church. 30 December 2000

If we stop and think about it, we'll realize we often use popular catch-phrases to try to describe our religious experience. But do we always think this through? Can the common vocabulary of a world having such shallow ideas of what commitment means describe what God wants to happen between us and Him? What about the phrase "a relationship with God"? What exactly does that phrase mean? Isn't it somewhat vague? We have relationships with casual friends, good friends, parents, parents-in-law, step-parents, children, step-children, brothers and sisters etc., and in each case the impact of the relationship on our life is different. We may feel warm and friendly toward them yet still disagree on many issues.

If we don't understand what a "saving relationship" means we might end up with dangerous ideas about what a relationship with God means. We might feel we can pick and choose which parts of God's Word apply to us and to others. We might think that as long as we feel warm and friendly toward God and talk about what a great friend He is, our obedience is really only optional.

As Christians, there is only one authority that we recognize when it comes to matters relating to God: His Word. Let's go to that Word together today to better define this vague idea of "relationship with God."

Searching through several different Bible translations, I didn't find any use of the literal word "relationship." Yet throughout His Word God describes the relationship between Himself and his earthly children. The representations most used include Lord and servant, and Father and child. There are also some references to "friend" (Abraham). And in the New Testament the relationship between Christ and His church is compared to that of the husband and wife (with Christ as the husband).

Let's see how Scripture defines this friendship between God and Abraham . . .

James 2:23 "And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the friend of God.

What was it about Abraham that earned him the title "friend of God." Go to Genesis and read the story of his walk with God. Another great source is the book Patriarchs and Prophets--read there about his life.

What about us today? What does it take to be called a friend of God? In Testimonies vol. 4 we read:

There is many a man in the humble walks of life today whom the Lord might designate as He did Abraham: 'The friend of God.' Such men approve that which God approves and condemn that which He condemns. In their presence even the sinner feels a sense of awe, a restraint; for God is with them, and they are living epistles, known and read of all men. There is a softened tenderness, a dignity, a divine propriety, in their deportment, which gives them power over the hearts of their fellow men. 4T 615.

Did you pick that up? These are not friends who "agree to disagree." These are friends that are in complete agreement with God.

Christ as husband of His Church

(By the way, Christ as the husband of the church is not inconsistent with the more common relationship of Lord--look at 1 Peter 3:5-6).

I Peter 3:5-6 For after this manner in the old time the holy women also, who trusted in God, adorned themselves, being in subjection unto their own husbands: Even as Sara obeyed Abraham, calling him lord: whose daughters ye are, as long as ye do well, and are not afraid with any amazement.

2 Corinthians 11:2 For I am jealous over you with godly jealousy: for I have espoused you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ.

Ephesians 5:23
For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body.

The Bible is defining the relationship between Christ and the church as being as close as that of husband and wife; Christ the head, and the church "one" with him.

Servant

There are just a few texts about "friends of God" and the church being married to Christ. But when we come to the texts about being a servant of God or a child of God there are hundreds. By far the most common references in the Bible describing the relationship between God and believers is that of Lord and servant, or Father and child.

Have you noticed that the apostles usually started their letters by defining themselves as "servants of God"?

James 1:1 James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, to the twelve tribes which are scattered abroad, greeting.

In fact, throughout the Bible God's children refer to themselves as "servants of God."

Even non-believers recognize believers as "servants of God." What did Nebuchadnezzar say to the three Hebrews when they were in the fiery furnace?

Daniel 3:26 Then Nebuchadnezzar came near to the mouth of the burning fiery furnace, and spake, and said, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, ye servants of the most high God, come forth, and come hither. Then Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, came forth of the midst of the fire.

What is the "end" or result of being servants of God?

Romans 6:22 But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life.

What are the sealed people called?

Revelation 7:3 Saying, Hurt not the earth, neither the sea, nor the trees, till we have sealed the servants of our God in their foreheads.

The idea of the servanthood of believers is key to a biblical definition of a relationship with God.

What about verses that talk about God as our Father?

David recognized God as our Father.

1 Chronicles 29:10 Wherefore David blessed the LORD before all the congregation: and David said, Blessed be thou, LORD God of Israel our father, for ever and ever.

Jesus calls God our Father

Matthew 5:16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.

Matthew 6:8 Be not ye therefore like unto them: for your Father knoweth what things ye have need of, before ye ask him.

The apostles understood God to be our Father and Christ to be our Lord and often began their epistles stating this:

Romans 1:7 To all that be in Rome, beloved of God, called to be saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Galations 1:3-4 Grace be to you and peace from God the Father, and from our Lord Jesus Christ, Who gave himself for our sins, that he might deliver us from this present evil world, according to the will of God and our Father

1 Thessalonians 1:1 Paul, and Silvanus, and Timotheus, unto the church of the Thessalonians which is in God the Father and in the Lord Jesus Christ: Grace be unto you, and peace, from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Christ referred to God not only as His Father but as our Father. Remember how He taught His disciples to pray?

Matthew 6:9 After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be Thy name.

How will our life be affected when we see God as our Father and our Lord? Consider the lives of two individuals whose lives are examples of a "saving relationship" with God:

The Experience of Enoch

Genesis 5:21-24 And Enoch lived sixty and five years, and begat Methuselah: And Enoch walked with God after he begat Methuselah three hundred years, and begat sons and daughters: And all the days of Enoch were three hundred sixty and five years: And Enoch walked with God: and he was not; for God took him.

Of Enoch it is written that he lived sixtyfive years and begat a son; after that he walked with God three hundred years. During those earlier years, Enoch had loved and feared God, and had kept His commandments. After the birth of his first son, he reached a higher experience; he was drawn into closer relationship with God. As he saw the child's love for its father, its simple trust in his protection; as he felt the deep yearning tenderness of his own heart for that firstborn son, he learned a precious lesson of the wonderful love of God to man in the gift of His Son, and the confidence which the children of God may repose in their heavenly Father. The infinite, unfathomable love of God through Christ, became the subject of his meditations day and night. With all the fervor of his soul he sought to reveal that love to the people among whom he dwelt.

Enoch's walk with God was not in a trance or a vision, but in all the duties of his daily life. He did not become a hermit, shutting himself entirely from the world; for he had, in the world, a work to do for God. In the family and in his intercourse with men, as a husband and father, a friend, a citizen, he was the steadfast, unwavering servant of God.

In the midst of a life of active labor, Enoch steadfastly maintained his communion with God. The greater and more pressing his labors, the more constant and earnest were his prayers. He continued to exclude himself at certain periods from all society. After remaining for a time among the people, laboring to benefit them by instruction and example, he would withdraw, to spend a season in solitude, hungering and thirsting for that divine knowledge which God alone can impart.

Communing thus with God, Enoch came more and more to reflect the divine image. His face was radiant with a holy light, even the light that shineth in the face of Jesus. As he came forth from these divine communings, even the ungodly beheld with awe the impress of heaven upon his countenance. Gospel Workers, p. 51-52.

Enoch's relationship with God resulted in God "taking him." Its as if God said--"I enjoy your company so much--I don't want us to be apart any longer." Wouldn't you like to have a relationship like that?

The Experience of Christ

The most awesome example of what an individual in connection with God can accomplish is found in the life of Christ, when laying aside His Divine powers He came to this earth as a man. His life was a life lived in full submission to His Father's will. It was a life so revolutionary that almost 2000 years later it still affects our world. What can we learn about His relationship with His Father?

We know He spent a lot of time with His father in prayer. Luke tells us in Luke 6:12: "And it came to pass in those days, that he went out into a mountain to pray, and continued all night in prayer to God."

Matthew says in Matthew 14:23: "And when he had sent the multitudes away, he went up into a mountain apart to pray: and when the evening was come, he was there alone."

We know He knew God's Word and quoted it. The most familiar incident is the one where Satan tempted Him in the wilderness. But what about this one:

Matthew 26:31 Then saith Jesus unto them, All ye shall be offended because of me this night: for it is written, I will smite the shepherd, and the sheep of the flock shall be scattered abroad.

Jesus is called the Word of God. He accepted His Father's law, wrought out its principles in His life, manifested its spirit, and showed its beneficent power in the heart. Says John: "The Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us, (and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the Only Begotten of the Father,) full of grace and truth." The followers of Christ must be partakers of His experience. They must assimilate the word of God. They must be changed into its likeness by the power of Christ and reflect the divine attributes. They must eat the flesh and drink the blood of the Son of God, or there is no life in them. The spirit and work of Christ must become the spirit and work of His disciples . . . They must make it a business to study His word and hear God's voice addressing them from His living oracles in reproof, in instruction, or in encouragement, and His Spirit will strengthen them, that they may, as God's workers, advance in religious experience. Thus they will be led on step by step to greater heights. 5T 575-576.

We Know He chose His Father's will above His own.

John 8:28-29 Then said Jesus unto them, When ye have lifted up the Son of man, then shall ye know that I am he, and that I do nothing of myself; but as my Father hath taught me, I speak these things. And he that sent me is with me: the Father hath not left me alone; for I do always those things that please him.

John 12:27-28 Now is my soul troubled; and what shall I say? Father, save me from this hour: but for this cause came I unto this hour. Father, glorify thy name. Then came there a voice from heaven, saying, I have both glorified it, and will glorify it again.

Matthew 26:39 And he went a little farther, and fell on his face, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if it be possible, let this cup pass from me: nevertheless not as I will, but as thou wilt.

matthew 26:42 He went away again the second time, and prayed, saying, O my Father, if this cup may not pass away from me, except I drink it, thy will be done.

Christ in His life on earth made no plans for Himself. He accepted God's plans for Him, and day by day the Father unfolded His plans. So should we depend upon God, that our lives may be the simple outworking of His will. As we commit our ways to Him, He will direct our steps. MH 479.

Even His words came from His Father:

John 12:49 For I have not spoken of myself; but the Father which sent me, he gave me a commandment, what I should say, and what I should speak. 12:50 And I know that his commandment is life everlasting: whatsoever I speak therefore, even as the Father said unto me, so I speak.

What a difference it would make in our lives if we could say that about our words!

Turn to John 15 once more, starting with verse nine and as we read think about the depth of the relationship being described:

As the Father hath loved me, so have I loved you: continue ye in my love. If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father's commandments, and abide in his love. These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full. This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you. Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you. Henceforth I call you not servants; for the servant knoweth not what his lord doeth: but I have called you friends; for all things that I have heard of my Father I have made known unto you. Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you. These things I command you, that ye love one another. If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you. If ye were of the world, the world would love his own: but because ye are not of the world, but I have chosen you out of the world, therefore the world hateth you. Remember the word that I said unto you, The servant is not greater than his lord. If they have persecuted me, they will also persecute you; if they have kept my saying, they will keep yours also. But all these things will they do unto you for my name's sake, because they know not him that sent me. John 15:9-21.

This passage is all about knowing God and His love--having a relationship with Him--the changes that happen to us as a result and how unbelievers view those changes. Notice what Christ says about calling us friends and not servants in verses 14 and 15. Yet in verse 20 He talks of us being servants. Why--is this a contradiction? No, Christ has treated us as friends--He loves us as a Brother and a Friend. But in relationship to the Creator of the universe, the One who created and redeemed us, we are not just servants, not just created beings, but sinners, so unworthy. Yet God sent His Son to die for us.

Do not make God less than He is. To have a personal relationship with God is more than having a friend you can confide in. It is more than having someone to give you advice, someone who is your best friend. It is all those things, but more. It is recognizing Who God is. It is being dependent not independent. It means talking more of His power, less of your weakness. He's your Creator, your Redeemer, and your Recreator. A saving relationship says, "Father you are in charge. Lord I am your servant and I recognize you as King of my life. This personal relationship with you is going to be all that it can be."

Last Modified 2 January 2001