Another Question

These questions I am asking are directed toward the faithful in Christ Jesus. Of course, that includes those who will be saved but as yet are not. The unbeliever will not understand what I am saying or may even be offended by it. But that is never my purpose. I am casting my Bread upon the waters to see who has “ears to hear” (faith) to understand.

So here is my question: Is salvation a miracle? I mean, when a person is saved for eternity because they believe that Jesus Christ is Lord, is that a miracle? Before you answer, let me tell you what I mean by the word “miracle”. A miracle is an event originating from a source beyond or apart from any human effort or intervention, or even understanding. A miracle has its effects among humans or upon a certain human, but does not come from that human or any other. So what do you think? Is salvation a miracle or not?

I must confess that for years I was taught and believed that salvation was not a miracle. Of course, no one said specifically that it was not a miracle, but they implied it because I was told in no uncertain terms that believing in Jesus Christ was a conscious decision. I was told that I possessed faith, and that I needed to place my faith in Jesus Christ. But I am writing this to tell you that to believe this is to proclaim salvation by works rather than by grace. The moment we include human activity or efforts in our description of something–anything–we are not talking about miracles.

I realize there are things that take place in this world all the time that humans are involved with and that we call miracles, but they are not. The miraculous sports plays and unbelievable upsets are not truely miracles. But they are so surprizing that we look for words to describe the emotions they invoke. Miracle is one of those words that is often misused in this manner. Some of our human inventions, our surgical accomplishements etc, are all examples of nonmiracles, though I am not denying they may be “great” moments in human history.

The truth is, there are only two kinds of miracles: those done by God and those done by Satan. In both cases the terms of the definition are met because humans are not the actual force behind what happens, though they may be affected by what happens.

So the question comes before you again. Is salvation a miracle or not? You answer implies a great deal about who you think God is, who you think you are, and what you think Christian living is all about. More on that next time.–Pastor Scott

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