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Urgency of Responding to Salvation in Evangelism

The urgency of responding to salvation in evangelism is rooted in the biblical understanding that salvation is a present reality that requires immediate response. The apostle Paul writes, "Do this, knowing the time, that it is already time for you to awaken out of sleep, for salvation is now nearer to us than when we first believed" [2]. This sense of urgency is echoed in the Psalms, where the psalmist cries out for redemption, saying "Rise up to help us. Redeem us for your loving kindness' sake" [1].

The concept of salvation is multifaceted, encompassing not only the initial act of redemption but also the ongoing process of being saved. According to Torrey's Topical Textbook, salvation is "of God," "of the purpose of God," and "by Christ alone" [3]. The New Testament emphasizes that salvation is a gift from God, received through faith in Jesus Christ [5, 6].

The urgency of responding to salvation is tied to the understanding that it is a present reality that is available to all people. The prophet Isaiah writes, "My salvation is near to come" [8]. The New Testament affirms that this salvation has been made available through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ, and that it is received through faith [4].

The writer of Hebrews warns that neglecting this salvation will result in severe consequences, asking "How shall we escape... if we neglect so great salvation?" [9]. This warning underscores the importance of responding to the gospel message in a timely manner.

In the view of some traditions, the urgency of responding to salvation is also linked to the eschatological context of the gospel. The apostle Paul's exhortation to "awaken out of sleep" suggests that the time for response is limited, and that believers must be mindful of the approaching consummation of God's salvation [2].

The biblical emphasis on the urgency of responding to salvation has been a consistent theme throughout Christian history. Matthew Henry notes that when God is coming towards us in a way of mercy, we must go forth to meet him in a way of duty [8]. This understanding has shaped the way Christians approach evangelism, emphasizing the need for a timely and faithful response to the gospel message.

The New Testament writers emphasize that salvation is not just a future hope, but a present reality that is experienced through faith in Jesus Christ. Believers are "united with Christ Jesus," sharing in his resurrection and experiencing new life through the Holy Spirit [7, 6]. This understanding underscores the importance of responding to salvation in the present moment.

The urgency of responding to salvation is a call to action, emphasizing the need for believers to share the gospel message with others and to live out their faith in a way that is consistent with the gospel. As Matthew Henry notes, the gospel is not a "cunningly devised fable," but a message of "undoubted truth and vast concern" [10].

Sources

  1. Psalms “Rise up to help us. Redeem us for your loving kindness’ sake. -- Psalms 44:26”
  2. Romans “Do this, knowing the time, that it is already time for you to awaken out of sleep, for salvation is now nearer to us than when we first believed. -- Romans 13:11”
  3. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Salvation — Is of God -- Ps 3:8; 37:39; Jer 3:23. Is of the purpose of God -- 2Ti 1:9. Is of the appointment of God -- 1Th 5:9. God is willing to give -- 1Ti 2:4. Is by Christ -- Isa 63:9; Eph 5:23. Is by Christ alone -- Isa 45:21,22; 59:16; Ac 4:12. Announced after the fall -- Ge 3:15. Of Israel, predicted -- Isa 35:4; 45:17; Zec 9:16; Ro 11:26. Of the Gentiles, predicted -- Isa 45:22; 49:6; 52:10. Revealed in the gospel -- Eph 1:13; 2Ti 1:10. Came to the Gentiles through the fall of the Jews -- Ro 11:11. Christ The Captain of. -- Heb 2:10. The Author of. -- Heb 5:9”
  4. Torrey's Topical Textbook “Torrey's Topical Textbook: Reconciliation With God — Predicted -- Da 9:24; Isa 53:5. Proclaimed by angels at the birth of Christ -- Lu 2:14. Blotting out the hand-writing of ordinances is necessary to -- Eph 2:16; Col 2:14. Effected for men By God in Christ. -- 2Co 5:19. By Christ as High Priest. -- Heb 2:17. By the death of Christ. -- Ro 5:10; Eph 2:16; Col 1:21,22. By the blood of Christ. -- Eph 2:13; Col 1:20. While alienated from God. -- Col 1:21. Without strength. -- Ro 5:6. Yet sinners. -- Ro 5:8. While enemies to God. -- Ro 5:10. The ministry of committed to ministers -- 2Co 5:18,19. Mi”
  5. 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.”
  6. 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).”
  7. 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).”
  8. Isaiah (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on Isaiah 56:1: The scope of these verses is to show that when God is coming towards us in a way of mercy we must go forth to meet him in a way of duty. I. God here tells us what are his intentions of mercy to us (Isa 56:1): My salvation is near to come - the great salvation wrought out by Jesus Christ (for that was the salvation of which the prophets enquired and searched diligently, Pe1 1:10), typified by the salvation of the Jews from Sennacherib or out of Babylon. Observe, 1. The gospel salvation is the salvation of the Lord. It was contrived and brought about by him; he glor”
  9. Hebrews (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Hebrews 2:2: How shall we escape,.... The righteous judgment of God, and eternal punishment: if we neglect so great salvation? as the Gospel is, which is called salvation; in opposition to the law, which is the ministration of condemnation; and because it is a declaration of salvation by Christ; and is the means of bringing it near, and of the application of it in conversion, and so is the power of God unto it: and it is a "great" salvation; the Gospel which reveals it is great, for the author of it is Christ; it has been confirmed by miracles, and attended with great success; a”
  10. 2 Peter (Nonconformist/Puritan) “Matthew Henry on 2 Peter 1:16: Here we have the reason of giving the foregoing exhortation, and that with so much diligence and seriousness. These things are not idle tales, or a vain thing, but of undoubted truth and vast concern. The gospel is not a cunningly devised fable. These are not the words of one who hath a devil, nor the contrivance of any number of men who by cunning craftiness endeavour to deceive. The way of salvation by Jesus Christ is eminently the counsel of God, the most excellent contrivance of the infinitely wise Jehovah; it was he that invented this way of saving sinners b”
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