Insuring Salvation

While judgment belongs to the Chief Shepherd, insurance belongs to the appointed shepherds of His sheep.

“Pay close attention to yourself and to your teaching; persevere in these things, for as you do this you will ensure salvation both for yourself and for those who hear you.” (1 Timothy 4:16)

As ministers of God, how many of us pay close attention to our lives and ministry, particularly our teachings, to ensure salvation for those who hear us? Paul was not just speaking about the preaching of the good news to unbelievers only, was he?

“Remember Jesus Christ, risen from the dead, descendant of David, according to my gospel, for which I suffer hardship even to imprisonment as a criminal; but the word of God is not imprisoned. For this reason I endure all things for the sake of those who are chosen [the elect], so that they also may obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus and with it eternal glory.” (2 Timothy 2:8-10)

Indeed, Paul was speaking about the true salvation of those who were shepherded by Timothy, day in and day out, in churches, marketplaces, and personal relationships.

Ministers of God are called to ensure that the elect, including themselves, will assuredly be saved for eternity, through continuous sanctification by the accurate teaching and handling of the word of truth. Because of this awesome responsibility, “elders who rule well are to be considered worthy of double honor, especially those who work hard at preaching and teaching” (1 Timothy 5:17); and “let not many of you become teachers, my brethren, knowing that as such we will incur a stricter judgment” (James 3:1).

Ministers of God have the ministry of insurance, a ministry that will ensure salvation both for themselves and for those who hear them.

However, that said, to ensure salvation for those who hear us does not mean to guarantee their salvation, or to take responsibility for their disobedience; for every person must stand independently before God to be judged solely by the choices of their own free-will; and he cannot even blame the devil for causing him to sin.

Yet, we must have the attitude of Paul, who would do all things and suffer all things to preach the word of truth so that, by all means, the elect who came within his influence might “obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus, and with it eternal glory”.

“While I was with them, I was keeping them in Your name which You have given Me; and I guarded them and not one of them perished but the son of perdition, so that the Scripture would be fulfilled.” (John 17:12)

Like Jesus and Paul, we must strive and labour with our utmost, according to the power that works mightily within us, even to the laying down of our lives, to ensure the salvation of the elect whom God has placed into our hands.

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