The main Goal of Salvation is Intimacy with GOD!
What is generally emphasized in the church is that JESUS died to keep us from going to hell. Now, that’s true and, by itself, is wonderful. If going to heaven were all of salvation, that would still be more than we deserve. But that’s not what the Scripture teaches.
“For GOD so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten SON, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life” (John 3:16).
What does it mean to have eternal life? Eternal life is not living forever; everyone lives forever, both saints and sinners. It also doesn’t simply mean going to heaven when you die , though you will go to heaven if you have eternal life. Eternal life, as described in the Bible, exists here and now on Earth (John 3:36). Eternal life is to know GOD and JESUS Christ (John 17:3— “And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true GOD, and JESUS CHRIST , whom thou hast sent”). According to the Bible, knowing GOD and JESUS means becoming intimate with them (Luke 1:34, Genesis 4:1).
John 3:15-16 specifically say that the goal of salvation is eternal life, and JESUS defines eternal life as knowing GOD and JESUS CHRIST. In other words, JESUS came to Earth to usher in intimacy between GOD and man.
If you receive forgiveness through the sacrifice of JESUS, yet continue your life without developing an intimate, personal, close relationship with GOD, then you are missing out on the real purpose of salvation (John 3:15-16). GOD doesn’t want you to be saved solely for the purpose of going to heaven. HE wants you walk the face of the earth victorious. Without intimacy with GOD, how will you develop the confidence in GOD to manifest the blessings of GOD in many verses of the Bible:Galatians 3:13, Colossians 2:14, 1 Peter 2:24, and the many other blessings GOD has for you? Believe me, it is much easier to believe GOD, when you enjoy intimate relationship with HIM.
It is sad to observe that most Christians live today without an intimate relationship with GOD. This is evidenced by their lives, stricken with depression, sorrow, worry, anger, etc. just the same as any unbeliever. Intimacy with GOD guarantees peace of mind—2 Peter 1:3 says that “Grace and peace be multiplied unto you through the knowledge of GOD, and of Jesus our Lord…” When you become intimate with GOD, you will think about HIM and talk with HIM countless times in any given day. Your mind will constantly be on HIM (Isaiah 26:3).
People believe they need to get saved to avoid Hell, because that’s the message they’ve heard. So, they get saved and then they get stuck with religious rituals. Because the message of salvation is not focused on knowing GOD as it’s real goal, they neither desire it nor believe that it is attainable. These Christians are waiting to get to Heaven and experience GOD’s blessings. However, they continue to struggle here on Earth, sad, mad and defeated. It is really unfortunate. Don’t get me wrong, it is better to be saved and stuck, than to die an unbeliever.
If you already know HIM, then continue to pursue knowing HIM more, because there is no final bus-stop to knowing GOD.
And if you don’t know HIM yet, please seek to know HIM. Start today by spending time to know HIM through HIS Word.
GOD wants to enjoy intimacy with you, would you please let HIM? For that is the reason HE sent the SPIRIT of JESUS CHRIST to live in you! That is the gospel truth!
GOD in Nigeria and abroad prayed, but the nightmares continued.
One day, I read a testimony that changed my prayer life completely. It was about a soldier who was shot in the chest during a battle. However, the bullet did not penetrate him. It was stopped by a small bible he kept in his breast pocket. The bullet tore into the bible but stopped at Psalm 91. I am sure many of you have heard this story.
The revelation I received from this story was not about the physical pages of the bible, but rather their contents; they, the Word of GOD are our “sword and shield.” Joshua 1:8 came alive to me in that moment. So, I memorized Psalm 91. For me, this was a matter of life and death. I personalized Psalm 91 and prayed it over myself several times a day. I meditated on each verse and how it was true for me. The more I meditated on the words of Psalm 91, more I began to imagine each verse manifesting in my life. I imagined the angels holding me up lest I dash my foot against a stone (Psalms 91:11). I imagined myself crushing the heads of scorpions and dragons (Psalms 91:13), etc. Although the bad dreams continued, the more I spent time speaking the WORD over myself, the more confident I became that whatever weapon the enemy had formed against me would not prosper (Isaiah 54:17).
On March 6, I had my baby, to the glory of GOD. It was during delivery that I found out that my life and the life of my baby were in danger. The baby had somersaulted in the womb, and with every movement tightened the knot between us. The baby was not getting any nutrition or oxygen from me, and doctors predicted he would either die or be born with severe defects. But he was delivered safely with absolutely no deformity. To this day, the doctor who delivered my baby, called my safe delivery a medical miracle.
To GOD alone be all the glory!
Intimacy with GOD will bring you to a point where you believe GOD’s Word more than any dreams, prophecies, or your physical experiences with the enemy. The Word of GOD, believed, meditated upon in your heart, and spoken with your mouth, works. That is the gospel truth!
