what shape to be saved

Often when I read NakePastor's cartoons I'm often left (1) unsure what his perspective is and (2) thinking. I suppose the former is not bad and the latter can be good. Today's offering was no exception.



From the perspective of the person trying to enter "heaven", they can often feel as though they are the wrong shape and can't get in. This feeling doesn't always come from external sources. Our fallen nature desires to keep us bound in guilt and a sense of unworthiness. On the other hand, from the perspective of those believing they have already entered, there may be some notion that all have to match their shape to get in. These create artificial barriers and become like the Pharisees.

So my take on the image is that inappropriate barriers are created on both sides of this issue. On the other hand, there are many today who would like to say that no shape at all is required - these would be wrong. Kevin DeYoung wrote a post today also on Confidence or Condemnation in which he explores signs that we can look for as assurance of salvation.

The first sign is theological. You should have confidence if you believe in Jesus Christ the Son of God (5:11-13). John doesn’t want people to be doubting. God wants you to have assurance, to know that you have eternal life. And this is the first sign, that you believe in Jesus. You believe he is the Christ or the Messiah (2:22). You believe he is the Son of God (5:10). And you believe that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh (4:2). So if you get your theology wrong about Jesus you will not have eternal life. But one of the signs that should give you confidence before God is that you believe in his only Son Jesus Christ our Lord (4:14-16; 5:1, 5).

The second sign is moral. You should have confidence if you live a righteous life (3:6-9). Those who practice wickedness, who plunge headlong into sin, who not only stumble, but habitually walk in wickedness–should not be confident. This is no different than what Paul tells us in Romans 6 that we are no longer slaves to sin but slaves to righteousness and in Galatians 5 that those who walk in the flesh will not inherit the kingdom. This is no different than what Jesus tells us in John 15 that a good tree cannot bear bad fruit and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit. So if you live a morally righteous life you should have confidence (3:24). And lest this standard make you despair, keep in mind that part of living a righteous life is refusing to claim that you live without sin and coming to Christ for cleansing when you do sin (1:9-10).

The third sign is social. You should have confidence if you love other Christians (3:14). If you hate like Cain you do not have life. But if your heart and your wallet are open to your brothers and sisters eternal life abides in you. One necessary sign of true spiritual life is that we love one another (4:7-12, 21).

These are John’s three signposts to assure us that we are on the road that leads to eternal life: we believe in Jesus Christ the Son of God; we live a righteous life; and we love other Christians. Or we can put it this way: we know we have eternal life if we love Jesus, we love his commands, and we love his people. No one of the three is optional. All must be present for our assurance (see 2:4, 6; 4:20; 5:2). John belabors the same points again and again. Do you love God? Do you love his commands? Do you love his people? If you don’t, it’s a sign you have death. If you do, it’s sign that you have life. And that means confidence instead of condemnation.

So the bottom-line, it is not so much that a shape is needed, but one certainly results and that can be evaluated and used to build confidence.