When discussing genuine salvation, John MacArthur writes, “If you came to Jesus Christ thinking all you had to do was believe but didn’t have to confess your sin or be willing to cut yourself off from the evil of this world, you have missed the point of salvation…if you are really saved, you will make a conscious attempt to break away from the things of the world.”
Our salvation isn’t just to get us a home in heaven, although that is part of it, it is also to create in us a new life here in this world – so that we will be lights in the world of darkness.
Look at what Paul reminds us of in Ephesians 2:8-10, “For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.” We are saved to glorify God through our lives, our words, and all our actions!
If the entire point of salvation was to simply get us a home in heaven, we would die the moment we believed in Jesus Christ! There would be no other point for us to remain in this world. In fact, this world and it’s sin and darkness would only be a huge disappointment from then on.
Rather, God calls us to Himself so that we may accomplish the plan and purpose that He has for us while we are still in this world – and it’s ALL about following Him. We become His property and slaves to our new Master when we give Him control of our lives.
Paul sums it up quite well in Ephesians 5:8, “For at one time you were darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light” If we have no burning desire to walk as we’re commanded, then we have no genuine salvation!