what’s the point of salvation?

i’ve been challenged recently in my beliefs on the nature and scope of salvation. this has been sparked by conversations with fellow christians and seeking friends, as well as through thought-provoking books and messages - most notably Rob Bell and Brian McLaren. this seems to be a popular subject in christian circles currently.

i had somewhat of a breakthrough moment the other day when i played out a fictitional scenario where i was asked the question, “What is the point of your salvation?” I imagined one of my spiritually-seeking friends asking me this question in an attempt to figure out what i perceived as being the difference between her and me. Until recently, my answer would have centered on being Jesus saving me from the penalty of my sin, so that I can go to heaven when I die. But, now I’m beginning to see salvation from a broader perspective.

If the point of faith is only about my soul’s destiny once I die, it’s all too easy to fall into a coma, or worse, despair, in this life. I’m being taken back through what Jesus’ actual gospel (”good news”) was all about - the Kingdom of God. He announced the coming of the Kingdom now. Sure, God’s kingdom won’t fully take hold until Christ’s return, but we’re empowered to begin living the life of the Kingdom now. He’s left us his Spirit to live in us and give us strength to live this kind of life. Eternity isn’t only future, it has already begun.

So, the answer to the fictitional question is still a work in progress, but my best go at it right now is this: Jesus is saving me from a pointless life, restoring me to be the person i was created to be, and inviting me to join him in his larger project of restoring the world.