The Ultimate Package Deal
Author: Shannon McBrayer
November 09, 2023
I love package deals! They’re often all inclusive and include the great extra add ons. They always have a luxurious feel to them. Like a vacation package deal: You get the flight, hotel, food, activities, and more. You get a vacation with all of the perks included! A package deal by definition is multiple transactions that must be executed together.
Salvation is the ultimate package deal.
Jesus really did multiple transactions on the cross for us. It’s so much more than a one-way ticket to heaven. So many promises and amazing "add ons" are included. It’s this knowledge that excites me and inspires hope in my life.
The Greek word sozo translates to mean salvation but it also means to heal, deliver, protect and make whole. I love that. This word perfectly describes salvation! We have been made whole.
Let’s talk about some of the wonderful “add ons” that we are given with salvation:
? Reconciliation: What is reconciliation? Reconciliation has much to do with transformation; it’s moving from a place of separation, hurt, and brokenness to a place of healing, wholeness and forgiveness. We’re reconciled with the Lord through the completed work of the cross. Colossians 1:20 says: “Through the Son, God also reconciled all things to himself, whether things on earth or things in heaven, thereby making peace through the blood of his cross.”
? Freedom from sin: 1 John 1:9 confirms we’re forgiven and made pure, "If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.” John 8:36 confirms our freedom. “If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.” We are free indeed!
? Peace with God: As we are justified by faith and therefore not subject to wrath or condemnation, we have peace with God. This is confirmed in Romans 5:1 where it says “We are reconciled with the Lord through the completed work of the cross.” We can rest knowing we are at peace with God Almighty through his Son Jesus!
? Adoption: As you can see in Ephesians 1:5, God takes great pleasure in having you part of His family. It reads, “God decided in advance to adopt us into his own family by bringing us to himself through Jesus Christ. This is what he wanted to do, and it gave him great pleasure.” If you’re ever feeling like you don’t have family you can rely on, you can lean on this promise. People can fail us. God never will.
? The Holy Spirit: In Acts 2:38, Peter replied, “Each of you must repent of your sins and turn to God, and be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. Then you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.” Another
reference for this is found in Ephesians 1:13-14. I love the Message translation of this: “It’s in Christ that you, once you heard the truth and believed it (this Message of your salvation), found yourselves home free—signed, sealed, and delivered by the Holy Spirit. This down payment from God is the first installment on what’s coming, a reminder that we’ll get everything God has planned for us, a praising and glorious life.” If this doesn’t sum up this amazing package deal, I’m not sure what does.
? Eternal life. John 3:15 confirms “that whoever believes in him may have eternal life.” Once we receive the gift of salvation, we are promised an eternity with Him. This is our hope as we or our loved ones pass from this earth, that we will see them again in Heaven in the presence of the Lord.
? Healing. This includes spiritual, mental, emotional and physical healing. Isaiah 53:5 is a great Old Testament reference to the events of Christ “But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; The chastisement for our peace was upon Him, And by His stripes we are healed.” We are healed! I also love this from 3 John 1:2, “Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers.” He wants us to be in good health and prosper. That is His will for our lives.
? Restoration. This is the action of returning something to a former owner, place or condition. We are restored through salvation to a relationship with God. We are returned to the one who made us. Colossians 2:10 says “and in Christ you have been brought to fullness. He is the head over every power and authority.” We are brought to fullness–fully restored.
There are many other things I could list that we have access to once we receive the gift of salvation. It’s a great study, and we should all know what is included. Too many of us focus on eternal life that we lose sight of the fact that we are promised a packaged deal.
I encourage you to walk in the full purpose of your salvation. Speak these scriptures over yourself and your family. Christ paid for the whole package on the cross!
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