It is true that when we believe and are baptized we are saved from destruction in the Day of God's wrath. In this sense we can say "I am saved because I believe in the Lord Jesus." We can live in the assurance of sins forgiven.

It appears that what it means to be "saved" differs from person to person. Some people apparently experience a basic salvation and they are not challenged by the Lord to go further. Others, as the Apostle Paul, are presented with a high "mark" that they strive to attain throughout their lifetime. Some are destined to sit at the Lord's right hand. They will be required to drink the cup of suffering of which Christ drank. To whom much is given, of him shall much be required.

The Scriptures are clear that there are a variety of ranks and callings in the Kingdom of God. The Lord requires of us only that we grasp that for which we personally have been grasped.

When we believe and are baptized we are saved from the wrath of God. After this initial experience we must seek the Lord daily that we may be transformed in personality. If we neglect to follow the Lord in the transformation and ministry He is requiring of us, then we are a disobedient child. In this case, we may or may not be saved in the Day of Wrath. If we are saved it will be as by fire. Salvation by fire will not prove to be a joyous experience!

Because of our past experience as Christians it is almost impossible to think of "being saved" as moral transformation. Perhaps our generation will never be able to think of being saved apart from going to Heaven. But as long as we think in terms of eternal residence in Heaven as being the goal of redemption, confusing the place termed Heaven with eternal life and the Kingdom of God, we never will truly understand the Kingdom of God or the Christian salvation.

Perhaps the children, the young warriors we are training now, will be able to make the conceptual leap from Heaven to the Kingdom of God.

Why would we be admonished to work out our own salvation with fear and trembling if righteousness were imputed to us unconditionally and eternally?

Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. (Philippians 2:12)

Compare:

But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway. (I Corinthians 9:27)

There is a careless spirit of security that often characterizes the Christian spirit. This sense of careless ease views God as a kindly grandfather and "good old Jesus" (as someone described the Lord) as a "regular guy" who would never let Christians (especially Gentile Christians) suffer.

The Lord Jesus, the High Priest of God, would say to this spirit, this "angel" of the Christian churches: "You are in deception. You suppose that I have changed from the days of Noah, from the time of Sodom and Gomorrah; but I tell you that in the hour of My coming the events shall be as in the time of Noah and of Sodom and Gomorrah.

"You have been deceived by the spirit of humanism that is filling the world, the spirit of man seeking to make himself God.

"You claim that God will not permit the saints to suffer. You understand neither the Scriptures nor the history of the Church nor your own day.

"You suppose that My grace is an excuse for your continued careless, sinful behavior. But I will bring every work into judgment and reward you according to your works.

"You are attempting to use Me in order to attain your own goals and desires. Do you not know that you are My slaves?—that I have purchased you with My own blood?

"The Scriptures command you to work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, to pray that God will keep you from deception, to turn away from the world, take up your cross, and follow me. Do so. The suffering that comes upon you is My judgment of your sins. Its purpose is to save you from destruction.

"As many as I love I rebuke and chasten. Be not arrogant but fear the Lord. This is the beginning of wisdom."

To be continued.