SALVATION'S GOAL
- UnstoppableRevKev
- Sep 4
- 3 min read
📖Scripture: “Though you have not seen Him, you agape Him. Though you do not now see Him, you have faith in Him and exult with joy that is beyond words and marked with glory, obtaining the outcome of your faith, the salvation of your souls.” 1 Peter 1:8-9
🔎Reflection: In his letter, the Apostle Peter reveals and clarifies that while our salvation is real, secure, and guarded by God Almighty... it is not the telos—the ultimate goal. The telos is always and only the glory of the one true God of the Bible. Sadly, many churchgoers, churches, and entire denominations today have distorted the doctrine, gift, and purpose of salvation into a self-serving escape plan, treating Christianity as religious “fire insurance” (to avoid Hell) and/or a religious “golden ticket” into heaven. Peter weaves together two biblical doctrines that must never be separated: soteriology (the doctrine of salvation) and ecclesiology (the doctrine of the collective elect through whom salvation is revealed to the glory of God). Biblical salvation is never revealed as an individualistic or private possession, but as the gracious outcome of God’s saving work in Christ, manifesting as devoted, functional members of His Body & Bride.
Salvation Produces Cruciform Joy: Faith in the unseen Christ yields a joy too deep for words (ἀνεκλάλητος) and is already clothed in glory (δεδοξασμένῃ). This joy is cruciform—shaped by Christ’s cross—because it is rooted in His suffering that secured our redemption (1:18–19).
Salvation Unleashes Service: Salvation is not a static “ticket to heaven.” It inevitably issues in love (1:22) and spirit-empowered service (4:10–11). Joy in Christ propels the redeemed to give themselves away for others, echoing the self-giving love of Christ.
The Corporate Plural “Your”: Peter’s language is not singular but plural. If Peter had been a Texan, he would have written “...obtaining the outcome of y'all's faith, the salvation of y'all's souls.” The point is that legitimate salvation always manifests as the corporate, collective Body and Bride of Christ, i.e., the redeemed elect who display and declare God’s excellencies (2:9). The true evidence of salvation is not a feeling or self-centered fixation on “my” experience but a Holy Spirit-driven devotion to Christ and to His people, manifesting itself in holiness, love, and service in the Church.
Thus, the ultimate telos is not “my salvation” nor is it “our salvation” but God’s glory in Christ through His Church.
Every false version, variety, and perversion of the biblical doctrine of salvation will eventually manifest as some narcissistic, privatized perversion of authentic Christianity that either says, “you don’t need the church,” or it reimagines church as some heretical abomination to God… e.g., a weekend activity, a building, or a list of entertaining programs for consumers to “volunteer” for or choose from. This becomes obvious in the denial of Christ’s ultimate purpose in salvation, evangelism, missions, and ministry: i.e., the glory of Christ in the Church.
The Bible is clear: The Lamb of God (Christ Jesus) did NOT die to save a bunch of selfish individuals, but rather to sanctify and present His Bride as spotless and radiant (Eph 5:25-27). Therefore, both our individual lives and ecclesiological (church) life must demonstrate this: legitimate salvation always delivers us from our former ways and frees us to walk in the “good works God prepared in advance as our new way of life” (Eph 2:10), i.e., to praise, honor, and glorify the KING of kings and LORD of lords by serving Him in building up His Body & Bride (Eph 4:15-16). That's us validating our salvation by taking care of the ultimate goal.
🤺Action: Based on the command of Scripture (2 Cor 13:5), test and examine yourself to see if you treat salvation as a private possession. Ask the Holy Spirit to examine your life within a local church: “Am I using the gift of my salvation in consistent, devoted, and faithful service for Christ’s glory with my very best time, talent, and treasure?” This is not the same as religious consumerism or “volunteering” at church out of convenience or a selfish agenda. Seize God's gracious opportunity to repent of any self-centered distortions wherever the Holy Spirit is lovingly convicting.
🙏Prayer: Sovereign LORD, thank You for saving me not for my own comfort but for Your glory in the Church. Keep me from cheapening salvation into selfish gain or for comfortable religious community. Please shape me into a devoted and humble servant as an integral member of your Church to exult you, LORD Jesus, along with the saints, to build up Your Body & Bride for Your glory! Amen!
Click the following link for a short video version of today's post:
Blessings and love,
Kevin M. Kelley
Pastor
For my full sermon on 1 Peter 1:8-9, click >>HERE<<
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