Soteria or Sozo
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In Phil. 2:12 Paul said “ Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.” Kenneth Wuest said in his “Word studies in the Greek New Testament”, “The Philippians are exhorted to carry their salvation to its ultimate conclusion, namely, Christlikeness”. Paul is encouraging you and me to bring our “salvation” to its fullest potential, which is redemption, health, deliverance, prosperity, and peace of mind.The word “salvation” in the Greek language is “soteria” (so-tay-ree-a) #4991, rescue, safety, deliver, health, The word “saved” in the Greek language is “sozo”(sode’-zo) #4982, it means “ to save, deliver or protect, to be made whole (health, prosperity and peace of mind). I would like to say that I believe that being “Born-Again” or “saved” is the greatest miracle that can happen to anyone; and should happen to everyone! I do; however, feel led to write on the subject. When we led someone into salvation (soteria), it should start him or her on a road that gives them the possibility for the first time to get redeemed; then to start walking into deliverance, prosperity, divine health, and into perfect peace. This is what we are to be offering; not only to get out of hell, but to start the process of walking into the “sozo (saved) or soteria (salvation) lifestyle. I would like you to understand what I’m talking about. There are many that walk down the aisle and receive Jesus into their heart. Then they start on the path of learning about Jesus and salvation, according to how their denomination sees it. Usually this draws us away from becoming like Jesus and brings us closer in resembling what our particular church or denomination believes like. The path of becoming like Jesus is left at the altar. You may be asking now: “What is the path”? The Apostle Paul said in Ephesians 4:11-15 “ And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, to equip of the saints for the work of ministry (so the saints can do the work of ministry), for the building of the body of Christ, till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ; that we should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting, but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head; Christ”.God’s goal and His desire is for His Church to be like Jesus. A sign of maturity in Christ won’t be that we talk a good message. The true sign of maturity in Christ is that we will minister (win souls, heal, deliver, bring peace, and promote Biblical prosperity) with the same heart and intensity that Jesus did. We will encourage, help build (not tear down) the body of Christ. We will help others to mature in faith (which comes through study of His Word and an intimate relationship with Jesus). Until all of us come to a point where we are ministering to each other and the world with the same heart as Jesus.
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