Rom 5:10

[Guest]

Rom 5:10
For if when we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life.

This verse seems to draw a contrast between reconciliation and salvation as if they are referring to different things. Pauls says we were (past tense) reconciled by the death of Christ, and we shall be (future tense) saved by His life.

It seems to me that reconciliation is universal to all people and was accomplished by Christ through his death on the cross. This reconciliation has after-life benefits for everyone including the resurrection from the dead.

Salvation, on the other hand, refers to the restoration in this life that occurs through faith in Christ. For example, the prodigal son was saved from a ruined life and restored back to his father's house. And Zacchaeus was saved when he repented.

Luke 19:8-10
8 Then Zacchaeus stood and said to the Lord, "Look, Lord, I give half of my goods to the poor; and if I have taken anything from anyone by false accusation, I restore fourfold." 9 And Jesus said to him, "Today salvation has come to this house, because he also is a son of Abraham; 10 for the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost."

Salvation is what happens to an individual whose life has been impaired because of sin, but through faith in Christ has his life restored to God's ideal and realizes the joy and peace given to those who walk after the Spirit. A life of condemnation and anxiety gives way to a life of joy and peace. This is the salvation we can have through faith in Christ. It is not a reference to the after-life. It is my opinion that "hell" describes the life of someone who is overcome in sin. Christ's life can lead us to salvation from a miserable existence.

Todd

[Guest]

Your observation about the distinction between "reconciled" and "saved" certainly would repay consideration, as I personally expect that there will be many in heaven (due to reconciliation) who never knew the salvation of the saints in Christ during their lifetime.

As for your last point, I don't agree that hell "describes the life of someone who is overcome in sin," simply because I don't think there is any word for hell in the Hebrew or Greek scriptures. It may be fair to use the word "hell" to describe the "lake of fire," but I see that place as the fate of individuals who face judgment on the last day without being recorded in the book of life.

[Guest]

As for your last point, I don't agree that hell "describes the life of someone who is overcome in sin," simply because I don't think there is any word for hell in the Hebrew or Greek scriptures.

Steve,

I was a bit too general with my statement. I should have said that many of the passages in the New Testament which have been traditionally viewed as the punishment of Eternal Torment, are actually a metaphorical description of the harsh negative impact that sin has on the lives of those who are overcome by it.

Todd