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Salvation is not about signing a contract, it is about a seed falling, dying and growing IN YOUR HEART.

Many Christians view “salvation by faith” as signing a legal contract after which they have some guarantees and a few arbitrary obligations.

This thinking brings:

• false assurances
• vague responsibilities
• declining spiritual growth curve

This view stems largely for the very legal nature of the early reformers doctrine on justification. They obviously had a desperate struggle with the Roman Catholics Church, and got entangled in and immense amount of technicalities and extra-biblical jargon. One understands why they did not adopt a peaceful farmer type analogy, so this not aimed at criticizing them for the magnificent work they did accomplish. It is however an observation concerning the current state of our theology and its efficacy for producing life and growth.

Modern theological arguments do not sound like the parables of Jesus. They sound a lot more like legal technical set pieces in a supreme court.

There is some value in this, but it really is not the only way the Bible talks about salvation.

If one also acknowledges Christ’s many parables and pictures of seed that is sown, that germinates in your heart and then grows in ones heart over time, it will change how you live.  Instead of theological debates becoming legal bun fights, they would be more like neighboring farmers sharing wisdom and strategies for bringing more fruit to maturity.

Salvation is likened to Organic Growth

23 But he who received seed on the good ground is he who hears the word and understands it, who indeed bears fruit and produces: some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty.”
” (Matthew 13:23, NKJV)

15 But the ones that fell on the good ground are those who, having heard the word with a noble and good heart, keep it and bear fruit with patience.
” (Luke 8:15, NKJV)

Instead of trying to convince oneself that all is OK based on some version of a legal contract one will daily farm diligently and ensure growth. One obvious point of the farming and organic view is the simple obvious fact that living plants and seeds can die.

This is the obvious contention through Jesus parables and teaching yet many western Christians are stuck in the “legal contract approach”.

The Scribes and Pharisees were into legalities and hyper-theory while Christ was always into LIFE.

Some of Jesus most potent examples are John 3 famous “Born Again” passage and John 15 powerful “Vine and Branches” passages. These are organic and LIFE themes and examples, and they imply fertility and growth and husbandry, not legalities or guilt and pardon topics.

Born Again

5 Jesus answered, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. 6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. 7 Do not marvel that I said to you, ‘You must be born again.’ 8 The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear the sound of it, but cannot tell where it comes from and where it goes. So is everyone who is born of the Spirit.” ” (John 3:5–8, NKJV)

Vine and Branches

15 “I am the true vine, and My Father is the vinedresser. 2 Every branch in Me that does not bear fruit He takes away; and every branch that bears fruit He prunes, that it may bear more fruit. 3 You are already clean because of the word which I have spoken to you. 4 Abide in Me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in Me.
5 “I am the vine, you are the branches. He who abides in Me, and I in him, bears much fruit; for without Me you can do nothing. 6 If anyone does not abide in Me, he is cast out as a branch and is withered; and they gather them and throw them into the fire, and they are burned. 7 If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you. 8 By this My Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit; so you will be My disciples.
9 “As the Father loved Me, I also have loved you; abide in My love. 10 If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love, just as I have kept My Father’s commandments and abide in His love.
11 “These things I have spoken to you, that My joy may remain in you, and that your joy may be full.
” (John 15:1–11, NKJV)

Even in the Garden of Eden the issue had been LIFE not splitting hair about right and wrong.

Jesus manner of speaking confounded the people

22 And they were astonished at His teaching, for He taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes.
” (Mark 1:22, NKJV)

One third of the Parables are organic/Farming Examples

About Post Author

Rolf Thielen

rolf.thielen@gmail.com

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