Cultivating a Deeper Appreciation for Salvation in Daily Life

A deeper appreciation for salvation in daily life involves understanding its multifaceted nature and actively living out its implications. Salvation encompasses not only deliverance from sin but also a transformed life characterized by new spiritual realities and ongoing growth ^{[13, 16]}.

Salvation is fundamentally a work of God's grace, not a result of human actions ^{[12, 13]}. It is received through faith in God's mercy alone ^[13]. This divine act gives believers new life, joining them with Christ in his resurrection ^{[12, 17]}. This new life signifies a complete departure from a life of sin and death, transferring individuals into a realm of purity ^[13]. The Holy Spirit plays a crucial role in this process, bringing the entire being under the influence of the gracious principles implanted during regeneration, thereby carrying the work of sanctification to perfection ^[9].

The appreciation of salvation is deepened through various spiritual practices and understandings:

Prayer and Seeking God's Guidance: Prayer is a vital means of cultivating a deeper relationship with God and acknowledging His role in salvation. Individuals are exhorted to pray under affliction, seeking God's presence, support, comfort, and deliverance ^[7]. Prayer also serves as a means to ask for divine teaching and direction ^[7]. The psalmist expresses this desire, asking God to "Cause me to hear your loving kindness in the morning, for I trust in you. Cause me to know the way in which I should walk, for I lift up my soul to you" ^[1]. Another plea is "Redeem us for your loving kindness’ sake" ^[4]. Afflictions themselves can be beneficial, turning individuals to God and leading them to seek Him in prayer ^[10].
Assurance of Salvation: A profound appreciation for salvation is linked to the assurance of one's redemption and eternal life ^[8]. This assurance is produced by faith, made full by hope, and confirmed by love ^[8]. It is an effect of righteousness and is abundant in the understanding of the gospel ^[8]. Believers are privileged to have assurance of their election, redemption, adoption, and the unalienable love of God ^[8].
Living a Transformed Life: Salvation is not merely a past event but an ongoing process that impacts daily conduct. Good works are understood as the result of salvation, not its cause ^[14]. God's Spirit, working through a transformed heart, produces a good life ^[14]. This involves putting off the "old sinful nature" and putting on a "new nature" in Christ, allowing Him to guide one's life ^{[16, 18]}. This new nature is expressed through love, which is a fruit of Christ’s Spirit within believers ^[22]. Paul prays that believers' love may abound in knowledge and discernment, enabling them to understand what truly matters and live pure lives ^{[6, 22]}. The goal is to "Bring foorth therefore fruite worthy amendment of life" ^[2].
Hope and Gratitude: Hope is an essential component of appreciating salvation. It is rooted in God, in Christ, and in God's promises ^[11]. This hope is described as good, lively, sure, steadfast, and gladdening ^[11]. It is obtained through grace, the word of God, and faith ^[11]. This hope, coupled with faith and love, forms the "breastplate" of believers ^[3]. Gratitude for salvation should extend to "all things," even adversities, recognizing God as the source of every blessing ^[19].
Spiritual Growth and Understanding: Paul prayed that believers would have the spiritual understanding to grasp the full significance of God’s gifts ^[20]. He also prayed for deeper understanding of the Good News and its full expression in their lives, noting that spiritual growth yields a clearer comprehension of Christian truth and conduct that pleases the Lord ^[21]. This growth allows believers to stand firm against evil ^[21].

The knowledge of salvation is given to God's people "through the forgiveness of sins" ^[5]. This understanding of forgiveness is central to appreciating the depth of God's mercy and the extent of salvation. Believers, united with Christ, share in God's glory and blessings, experiencing resurrection both now and in the future ^[17]. Gentiles who believe are fully accepted into God’s family, becoming children of God alongside believing Jews ^[15]. This inclusion highlights the expansive nature of salvation.

Sources

Psalms “Cause me to hear your loving kindness in the morning, for I trust in you. Cause me to know the way in which I should walk, for I lift up my soul to you. -- Psalms 143:8”
Matthew “Matthew 3:8 (Geneva1599) — Bring foorth therefore fruite worthy amendment of life.”
I Thessalonians “I Thessalonians 5:8 (BBE) — But let us, who are of the day, be serious, putting on the breastplate of faith and love, and on our heads, the hope of salvation.”
Psalms “Rise up to help us. Redeem us for your loving kindness’ sake. -- Psalms 44:26”
Luke “Luke 1:77 (BBE) — To give knowledge of salvation to his people, through the forgiveness of sins,”
Philippians “This I pray, that your love may abound yet more and more in knowledge and all discernment; -- Philippians 1:9”
Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Affliction, Prayer Under — Exhortation to -- Jas 5:13. That God would consider our trouble -- 2Ki 19:16; Ne 9:32; Ps 9:13; La 5:1. For the presence and support of God -- Ps 10:1; 102:2. That the Holy Spirit may not be withdrawn -- Ps 51:11. For divine comfort -- Ps 4:6; 119:76. For mitigation of troubles -- Ps 39:12,13. For deliverance -- Ps 25:17,22; 39:10; Isa 64:9-12; Jer 17:14. For pardon and deliverance from sin -- Ps 39:8; 51:1; 79:8. That we may be turned to God -- Ps 80:7; 85:4-6; Jer 31:18. For divine teaching and direction -- Job 34:32; Ps 27:11; 143:10. Fo”
Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Assurance — Produced by faith -- Eph 3:12; 2Ti 1:12; Heb 10:22. Made full by hope -- Heb 6:11,19. Confirmed by love -- 1Jo 3:14,19; 4:18. Is the effect of righteousness -- Isa 32:17. Is abundant in the understanding of the gospel -- Col 2:2; 1Th 1:5. Saints privileged to have, of Their election. -- Ps 4:3; 1Th 1:4. Their redemption. -- Job 19:25. Their adoption. -- Ro 8:16; 1Jo 3:2. Their salvation. -- Isa 12:2. Eternal life. -- 1Jo 5:13. The unalienable love of God. -- Ro 8:38,39. Union with God and Christ. -- 1Co 6:15; 2Co 13:5; Eph 5:30; 1Jo 2:5; 4:13. Peace with ”
Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Sanctification — Involves more than a mere moral reformation of character, brought about by the power of the truth: it is the work of the Holy Spirit bringing the whole nature more and more under the influences of the new gracious principles implanted in the soul in regeneration. In other words, sanctification is the carrying on to perfection the work begun in regeneration, and it extends to the whole man (Rom. 6:13; 2 Cor. 4:6; Col. 3:10; 1 John 4:7; 1 Cor. 6:19). It is the special office of the Holy Spirit in the plan of redemption to carry on this work (1 Cor. 6:1”
Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Afflictions Made Beneficial — In promoting the glory of God -- Joh 9:1-3; 11:3,4; 21:18,19. In exhibiting the power and faithfulness of God -- Ps 34:19,20; 2Co 4:8-11. In teaching us the will of God -- Ps 119:71; Isa 26:9; Mic 6:9. In turning us to God -- De 4:30,31; Ne 1:8,9; Ps 78:34; Isa 10:20,21; Ho 2:6,7. In keeping us from again departing from God -- Job 34:31,32; Isa 10:20; Eze 14:10,11. In leading us to seek God in prayer -- Jdj 4:3; Jer 31:18; La 2:17-19; Ho 5:14,15; Jon 2:1. In convincing us of sin -- Job 36:8,9; Ps 119:67; Lu 15:16-18. In leading us to con”
Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Hope — In God -- Ps 39:7; 1Pe 1:21. In Christ -- 1Co 15:19; 1Ti 1:1. In God's promises -- Ac 26:6,7; Tit 1:2. In the mercy of God -- Ps 33:18. Is the work of the Holy Spirit -- Ro 15:13; Ga 5:5. Obtained through Grace. -- 2Th 2:16. The word. -- Ps 119:81. Patience and comfort of the Scriptures. -- Ro 15:4. The gospel. -- Col 1:5,23. Faith. -- Ro 5:1,2; Ga 5:5. The result of experience -- Ro 5:4. A better hope brought in by Christ -- Heb 7:19. Described as Good. -- 2Th 2:16. Lively. -- 1Pe 1:3. Sure and steadfast. -- Heb 6:19. Gladdening. -- Pr 10:28. Blessed. -- Tit ”
Ephesians (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Ephesians 2:5: 2:5 gave us life when he raised Christ from the dead (literally made us alive together with Christ): Joined with Christ, believers share in his resurrection, now and in the future (see 2:6; Rom 6:4-14; Col 3:1-4). • It is only by God’s grace that you have been saved: See Eph 1:2; 2:8-9.”
Titus (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Titus 3:5: 3:5 not because . . . but because: The contrast is between human actions that might be thought to merit salvation and God’s grace (see Gal 2:16). Salvation is through faith in God’s mercy alone (Eph 2:8). • He washed away our sins, giving us a new birth: See Ezek 16:9; John 3:1-15; Eph 5:26; Heb 10:22; 2 Pet 1:9. • and new life through the Holy Spirit: This signifies a complete departure from the life of sin and death and a transfer into the realm of life and purity (see also Rom 12:2; 2 Cor 5:17; Col 3:10).”
Ephesians (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Ephesians 2:10: 2:10 He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us: Good works are the result, not the cause, of salvation. God’s Spirit, working through a transformed heart, produces a good life (Gal 5:22-23).”
Ephesians (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Ephesians 2:19: 2:19 Gentiles who believe are no longer strangers and foreigners (2:11-12, 17). Through Christ, they are fully accepted into God’s family. They become children of God, just like believing Jews (see Rom 8:14-17).”
Colossians (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Colossians 3:9: 3:9-10 your old sinful nature . . . your new nature: Paul contrasts old and new identities (see also Rom 5:12-21; 6:6; Eph 4:22-24). Believers strip off their old life and put on Christ’s new life, allowing him to be Lord and to guide the way they live.”
Ephesians (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Ephesians 2:6: 2:6 united with Christ Jesus: Because of this union, believers share God’s glory and blessings, and experience resurrection both now and in the future (see Rom 6:4-14; Col 2:12-13; 3:1-4).”
Ephesians (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Ephesians 4:24: 4:24 A believer has a new nature: God’s Spirit expresses his life within the believer (see Col 3:10; cp. Gen 1:26; Rom 12:1-2; Gal 5:22-23). The transforming work of God’s Spirit is part of the gift of salvation (Eph 2:8-10).”
Ephesians (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Ephesians 5:20: thanks . . . for all things--even for adversities; also for blessings, unknown as well as known (Col 3:17; Th1 5:18). unto God and the Father--the Fountain of every blessing in Creation, Providence, Election, and Redemption. Lord Jesus Christ--by whom all things, even distresses, become ours (Rom 8:35, Rom 8:37; Co1 3:20-23).”
Ephesians (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Ephesians 1:15: 1:15-23 Paul prays that his readers may have the spiritual understanding to grasp the full significance of God’s gifts (1:3-14). 1:15 Paul links faith in Christ with love for God’s people. Personal faith in Christ brings salvation, and salvation is expressed, above all, by a life of love (see Gal 5:6; Col 1:4; 1 Thes 1:3; 3:6; 5:8; 2 Thes 1:3; 1 Tim 1:14; 2:15; Titus 2:2).”
Colossians (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Colossians 1:9: 1:9-10 Paul prays that God would grant his readers deeper understanding of the Good News and its full expression in their lives. Spiritual growth yields a clearer and deeper comprehension of Christian truth and conduct that pleases the Lord, through which a believer will have the endurance and patience to stand firm against evil (1:11).”
Philippians (Protestant academic) “Tyndale House on Philippians 1:9: 1:9-10 Love is a fruit of Christ’s Spirit within believers (Rom 5:5; Gal 5:22). • growing in knowledge and understanding: In this way, believers can understand what really matters (see Rom 12:2) and live pure and blameless lives until the day of Christ’s return (cp. 1 Thes 3:12-13; 5:23).”

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