Tag: God’s Grace

salvation

AT ITS CORE, SALVATION means “deliverance,” especially of humanity, from sin’s power and effects.1 From a biblical perspective, its root-meaning encompasses “width,” “spaciousness,” “freedom from constraint,” “deliverance,” and more. The Exodus of the Jews from Egypt can be considered an example of salvation. Relative to New Testament references, salvation (sotēria) also indicates deliverance, preservation, hints of wholeness, soundness, and health.

Much of God’s grace is ongoing and touches on countless areas of daily existence, from restraint over runaway evil to inspiring and life-saving creativity; from governmental and other institutions in human society to numerous examples of love and kindness; from the selfless actions of our emergency first-responders to the soldiers who stand between us and our mortal enemies.

It is the endless and unmerited grace of God that fuels each of these interventions and benevolent actions. Goodness begins with God. God wishes all to prosper and to come to forgiveness. Although God’s grace restrains sin in this present age, this does not change anyone’s foundational disposition to sin, nor does it in any significant manner purify fallen human nature or negate the consequences of sin.2

God pours out grace on undeserving sinners because He wishes that no one should suffer eternal death and damnation. David recognized the compassion God has for all He has made, and His forbearance of judgment proves He clearly takes no pleasure in doling out punishment. Ezekiel 33:11: “As I live, says the Lord GOD, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked, but that the wicked turn from his way and live; turn back, turn back from your evil ways; for why will you die, O house of Israel” (italics mine).

scope and intention

Salvation began to work in us the moment we recognized our need for a Savior and came to believe in the atoning death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Our old self died with Jesus, and we rose with him as new creations. Salvation moves outward, operating through election, regeneration, and conversion. God’s plan of redemption that puts salvation into motion—an incredibly perfect and powerful plan for redemption built on the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

Now, responsibility changes hands. We become answerable to God relative to the plan of salvation.

Regeneration in its simplest definition is moving from the state of being dead in trespasses and sins to being made alive in Christ unto righteousness. J.I. Packer describes regeneration (i.e., “new birth”) as an inner recreation of fallen human nature through the power of the Holy Spirit.3 This new birth necessarily involves effective change in our disposition from sin and lawlessness to one of obedience, trust, and love. When there is true repentance (a “turning away from” past rebelliousness, unbelief, and abject disobedience) there is opportunity for spiritual growth.

God, being rich in mercy and possessing great love for us, makes us “alive” together with Christ, to the extent that He shows us the immeasurable riches of His grace and kindness in Christ (Eph. 2:4-7).

There must be a decisiveness in our putting on this “new birth.” Assuming we have admitted to our lost state, we must now choose complete renewal. This involves recognizing that we were buried with Christ by baptism into death. When Christ walked out of the grave we walked out with Him. We have been raised from the dead by the glory of the Father so that we too might walk in newness of life. In deciding to live “a new life” through Christ, we are choosing righteousness. And yet, this choice must be made new each day as we go forth in obedience.

Steven Barto, BS Psy, ThM

Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture references contained herein are from the English Standard Version (ESV).

References
1 R.E.O. White, “Salvation,” in the Evangelical Dictionary of Theology (Grand Rapids: Baker Academic, 2017), 768.
2 Wayne Grudem, Systematic Theology (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 1994), 663.
3 J.I.Packer, “Regeneration,” in the Evangelical Dictionary of Theology (Grand Rapids: Baker Academic, 2017), 734-35.

Christ as Shepherd

THE TWENTY-THIRD PSALM BEGINS, “The Lord is my shepherd.” Pastor Preston Atkinson, lead pastor at my church, recently taught on the 23rd Psalm. He said a lot of baggage comes with this book of the Bible, especially regarding tradition, adding, “We all live downstream from tradition.” Custom dictates, For example, that it be read at most funerals. My grandmother’s pastor read it at hers, and it was dutifully read at my father’s funeral. In fact, my strongest thoughts about this Psalm until now had been tainted by sorrow and death. I am not suggesting that we toss out Psalm 23 as a reading at funerals; it can be encouraging during times of great sorrow. Reference to peace, comfort, and eternal rest reminds us that in life or in death—in times of abundance or need—God is trustworthy and good. But tradition has innocently narrowed our understanding of the genre and scope of this most benevolent and well-known Psalm. Together, let’s take a fresh look, and begin to apply it to our daily lives.

One reason why the 23rd Psalm “comes with baggage” is tradition.

Derek Kidner says, “Depth and strength underlie the simplicity of this psalm. Its peace is not escape; its contentment is not complacency; there is readiness to face deep darkness and imminent attack.”1 We often miss the depth and breadth of biblical passages by misapplication or a limited scope of application. Richard P. Belcher breaks the Psalms into three main concentrations: orientation, disorientation, and reorientation.2 I like this explanation, but to a limited degree. I think it’s best to place the Psalms in categories rather than concentrations.[fn1] Regardless of concentration or category, each psalm must be read and interpreted in light of the redemptive story of Jesus Christ told throughout Scripture, from Genesis 3 to Revelation 22.

In the 23rd Psalm, David imagines God as a “shepherd”
with himself and God’s people as the “sheep.” 

The NIV3 translation of Psalm 23:1 says, “The LORD is my shepherd, I lack nothing.” What a beautiful declaration of one’s complete trust in God. David’s faith is emphatically expressed in the 4th verse, where he says, “…for you are with me.” In other words, David says, I lack nothing no matter the circumstances, oh God, because you are my provider. We see this sentiment expressed throughout the New Testament. Paul expresses the depth of his trust in Christ in 2 Corinthians 1:1-11. The Lord told Paul, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness” (2 Cor. 12:9). Today, Christians tend to see grace as a New Testament (or New Covenant) concept. However, God’s grace (“unmerited favor”) is woven throughout all of Scripture. Concerning the grace that came with the advent of Jesus Christ, Paul writes, “For from his fullness we have all received, grace upon grace. For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ” (John 1:16-17).

Psalm 23:4 promises a restored soul. David is mindful that even if he were to walk through the darkest valley, he would have no reason to fear (Psa. 23:4a). The phrase “darkest valley” in the Hebrew language refers to a deep, rocky wadl or crevasse carved into the valley by years of rushing water; an area prone to flash floods and sudden attacks from ferocious animals. This is no place in which to be stranded. As with Paul, David also found himself in some rather difficult and exhausting circumstances. David was pursued by a relentless King Saul who was jealous and wanted to kill him. David fell hard from God’s grace because of sexual sin. His family was plagued by murder and unrest. He felt God’s disfavor over his handling of the Ark of the Covenant. Yet, despite David’s many laments and hardships, he remained faithful to God. For this reason, David was considered a man after God’s heart.

Frankly, sheep are sheep. They have a voracious appetite, and will typically follow anyone or fall for anything as long as they get to eat. They are are very social, making them prone to following en masse into even the most perilous situation. They must be guided properly by the right shepherd—one who is willing to leave the rest of the flock long enough to follow the bleating of a lost or wounded sheep and return it to the fold. Retrieving and reviving of lost sheep is an image of a deeper spiritual renewal. The shepherd always goes on ahead and his sheep follow him. They recognize his voice because he speaks only that which is true; that which is beneficial to them. As they follow him, their every need is abundantly met. Over time, from consistent caring of the shepherd, the sheep come to know that he has their best interests at heart, and would even lay down his life for them.

There is much more to the 23rd Psalm than a funeral recital. It is a messianic psalm; it teaches us about the heart of the Messiah. It opens with the Lord, expressing emphatic reverence and trust. David is saying, If He is, then I shall.4 David knows there is no greater Lord, no greater Shepherd. And this Lord of ours is also king, deliverer, rock, shield. This is the messianic language of Christ. The phrase He restores my soul refers to God imparting new life to the sheep. Still waters (verse 2) suggest restfulness. Enemies can do nothing but watch as the sheep graze safely (verse 5). Now, instead of the sheep being pursued by harm, goodness and mercy shall follow them for the rest of their days (verse 6).

At the heart of its message, the 23rd Psalm tells us that without Jesus as our Good Shepherd we can expect harassment and death at the hands of the enemy, the devil, who walks the earth seeking unprotected lambs to devour (1 Pet. 1:8). However, a sheep who wanders off is not left to perish. The Good Shepherd sets out to find it, placing it on His shoulders and carrying it back to the fold (Matt. 18:12). The sheep is returned to the “right path.”

None of this is meant to suggest that we will never find ourselves in the valley of the shadow of death. Instead, even in the worst of times (the deepest shadow; the thickest darkness) we can still hear the voice of our Good Shepherd. He hears us whenever we cry out to Him. When we are rescued, we have not merely “survived” a threat, but we have triumphed over evil! What the enemy meant for evil, our Lord turns into good. Ultimately, having followed the voice of the Good Shepherd, we shall dwell in the house of the LORD forever.

Steven Barto, BS Psy, ThM

Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture references contained herein are taken from the English Standard Version (ESV).

References
1 Derek Kidner, Kidner Classic Commentaries: Psalms 1-72 (Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 2008), 127.
2 Richard Belcher, The Messiah and the Psalms: Preaching Christ From All the Psalms (Scotland, IV20 1TW, UK, 2006), chapters 4-7.
3 NIV Biblical Theology Study Bible (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2018), 900.
4 Kidner, Ibid.

[fn1] The types of Psalms are Wisdom, Lament, Imprecatory, Thanksgiving, Pilgrimage, Enthronement, and Messianic.