Salvation is not a hammock

In Revelation 2:6, 15, we read of an abominable sect known as the Nicolaitans. It is debated exactly who these people are. Some say they are followers of an apostate deacon named Nicolas, who eventually moved on from Christianity to the doctrine of Balaam. Others say it goes back not to a person, but is rather named after the Greek word "Nicolah", meaning "let us eat". Regardless of exactly who these people were, it seems (from my admittedly limited research) that most preachers agree the Nicolaitans held one thing in common: Liberty was used as license.

This has been a persistent problem for the Church from its first century origins to our modern day. If God will forgive us for anything, and indeed takes pleasure in doing so, why should we bother to avoid sin? This has been the attitude of many people. I even remember my mother coming home from a pub and telling me she met a man who bragged about how he would frequently enjoy nights of debauchery, only to go to church the next day for forgiveness.

If you are truly saved, this idea should be repugnant to you. Even if it is possible for you to hold it for a time, it should be impossible for you to sustain indefinitely. This is because a true believer understands why the crucifixion had to occur. What happened to Jesus on that cross is what God owed us.

Every time we've said a bad word. Every time we've performed sexual acts outside of marriage. Every time we've overdone it on the booze. Every time we've ignored the beggar on the street, knowing full well we could have at least bought him some food. Every time we've insulted our parents. Every time we've stolen so much as a single coin, or a pack of gum. Every time we've even thought about doing any of that. These things, and more, were all nailed to the cross on our behalf. How, then, can we continue to do these things as if they were so trivial? As if Christ Himself didn't die for them? Jesus did not save you from the eternal consequences of your sin just so you could run straight back to them. He saved you so that you could be like Him.

In this life, you will never be perfect. You might want to be, but it's just not a realistic goal. As Paul says, we are carnal, sold under sin, and so the things we want to do, we don't do, and the things we don't want to do, we do (Romans 7:14-20). Essentially, you will fall from time to time. But we need to make sure it is a fall, not a jump, and that we fully intend to get right back up. Salvation is not a hammock for us to lie in, but a safety net upon which we can rely to keep us from landing straight in the centre of Hell. If you treat salvation as that hammock, the chances are you're not even saved.