The covenant purpose of all that GEMinistries has done, is doing and will accomplish is driven by the desire to equip the
body of Christ to understand their calling and be more effective in evangelizing, through the arts, the good news of
salvation. [GEMinistries’ foundation scripture: Ephesians 4:11-13]
To do that, it is important to have a complete and accurate understanding of the meaning of salvation. Each part of
salvation is a complete process, through which we see a triune salvation completing the triune our nature; from rebirth
through restoration unto resurrection – spirit, soul, and body. If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe
in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved (Romans 10:9 NLT). Saved, sozo Strong's #4892: To
save, heal, cure, preserve, keep safe and sound, rescue from danger or destruction, deliver. Sozo saves from physical
death by healing and from spiritual death by forgiving sin and its effects. Sozo in primitive cultures is translated simply, "to
give new life" and "to cause to have a new heart." And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole
spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. (1 Thessalonians 5:23)
There is a great emphasis in Christian ministry on the first part of our salvation: being “born again.” Indeed this is the key to
the subsequent facets of salvation and is rightly emphasized. This rebirth opens the door of forgiveness, cleansing and
restoration of an individual’s right standing (or right relationship) with God. It is the beginning of the fulfillment of our life-
calling and purpose, as well as the starting place for a better life here on the earth. I am the door: by me if any man enter in,
he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture. (John 10:9) To focus only on the first part of salvation leaves
the whole of God’s purpose unfulfilled. Many times, newly confessed Christians, like “newborn babies in Christ”, are left to
fend for themselves in the world as “orphans.” If we are only to believe that receiving Jesus as our Savior is the whole of
our salvation, then, when we are baptized, it would be better if we were held under the water, so we can go directly to
heaven! But there is MORE!
God’s second part of salvation is the transformation of our way of doing things and our way of thinking into His ways of
doing and thinking, i.e., submitting to His Lordship. As our minds are renewed daily, our definition of “right” and “wrong” are
changed, then our will and desires change to come in line with God’s will and desires. And be not conformed to this world:
but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of
God. (Romans 12:2); Work hard to show the results of your salvation, obeying God with deep reverence and fear. For God
is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases him. (Philippians 2:12b-13 NLT)
As we are retrained, “working out our salvation,” we are to be of help to our brothers and sisters in Christ in working out their
salvation, as well. Even though others may only be a “few steps” behind us on the path, we are to help. Additionally, those
who are ahead of us need encouragement. Then we will no longer be immature like children. We won’t be tossed and
blown about by every wind of new teaching. We will not be influenced when people try to trick us with lies so clever they
sound like the truth. Instead, we will speak the truth in love, growing in every way more and more like Christ, who is the
head of his body, the church. He makes the whole body fit together perfectly. As each part does its own special work, it
helps the other parts grow, so that the whole body is healthy and growing and full of love. (Eph. 4: 14-16) Neglecting this
second part of salvation produces what has been referred to as “carnal Christians”, who are generally indistinguishable in
speech, actions and circumstances from the world and the worldly.
The third part of salvation is glorious! It is the eternal part of our salvation where we stand before God and receive our
incorruptible body for all time. There will be a righteous judgment pronounced for all people with all equity. Let the floods
clap their hands: let the hills be joyful together Before the LORD; for he cometh to judge the earth: with righteousness shall
he judge the world, and the people with equity. (Psalm 98:8-9) We will be crowned and filled with the Glory of God and
enter His Holy City to take up residence forever. Never again will we be hindered or hampered with sin, lack or death.
There will healing for the nations and no one will cry again. And he showed me a pure[a] river of water of life, clear as
crystal, proceeding from the throne of God and of the Lamb. In the middle of its street, and on either side of the river, was
the tree of life, which bore twelve fruits, each tree yielding its fruit every month. The leaves of the tree were for the healing of
the nations. (Revelations22:1-2) As we just to begin to think we can fathom this existence, there is a moment of which we
need to be aware, in this part of salvation. Just before we receive our heavenly home, we will stand before God in judgment
for every word and deed. But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the
day of judgment (Matthew 12:36) Though the blood of Jesus cleanses us from all remembrance of sin, everything WE
decide not to let Jesus to heal in us [including unforgiveness] will be dealt with at the judgment. Who [God] will render to
every man according to his deeds: (Romans 2:6) Satan will accuse saints of all that is not “under the blood”, and saints will
have to choose to forgive in Jesus Name or be sent to “healing class.” Now whom you forgive anything, I also forgive. For if
indeed I have forgiven anything, I have forgiven that one for your sakes in the presence of Christ (2 Cor. 2:10)
It is vital to portray in the arts all three parts of salvation in order to achieve total evangelistic expression. Praise and
worship art usually stresses the beautiful and merciful moment we were forgiven and covered in grace; the moment we
received Jesus as Lord. The LORD is my strength and song, And He has become my salvation; He is my God, and I will
praise Him; My father’s God, and I will exalt Him (Exodus 15:2 NKJV). This singular moment is enough to give God all the
glory and worship Him in spirit and truth. Truly, nothing else matters at that moment. This is the first part of God’s
salvation, in which we must shout to the world, “Freely and totally saved!”
Sometimes popular Christian music groups do not sing often of the born again experience. Instead, they express their
struggles and victories in life, yet are not considered by some to be evangelistic. On the contrary, they are sharing the
second part of salvation; the life changing, transforming power that moves us into our destinies. These things I have
spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome
the world.” (John 16:33) Divine help to overcome life’s challenges is VERY good news.
Likewise, other arts focus on resurrection life, the eternal promise of blessing in heaven. Often these artistic statements are
thought of as, “over the top”, ranging from dramatic to fanciful. Cherubs depicted on golden streets in a city encrusted with
gems and beams of light may seem exotic but it is a Godly vision of hope for a glorious eternity. (See Revelation Chapters
4 and 5) The good news is that there is an all powerful eternal designation for all of us who believe. It is the absolutely
sure promise of transformation of the imperfect and incomplete us, into the perfected and completed us, with Him, forever!
Glory to God!
In short, anyone can call on Jesus for salvation and be freely delivered from the lordship of Satan and the bondage of sin.
That person can then seek God’s will and live a better, more fulfilled life on earth; and when that person’s days on earth
come to an end, they may expect a glorious, eternal future. This is the triune salvation our music, art, dance, theater, film, V-
games should joyfully express to a curious world looking for answers and hope. In Jesus Name, Amen!
Love In Christ,
Gregory & Linda Emler
body of Christ to understand their calling and be more effective in evangelizing, through the arts, the good news of
salvation. [GEMinistries’ foundation scripture: Ephesians 4:11-13]
To do that, it is important to have a complete and accurate understanding of the meaning of salvation. Each part of
salvation is a complete process, through which we see a triune salvation completing the triune our nature; from rebirth
through restoration unto resurrection – spirit, soul, and body. If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe
in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved (Romans 10:9 NLT). Saved, sozo Strong's #4892: To
save, heal, cure, preserve, keep safe and sound, rescue from danger or destruction, deliver. Sozo saves from physical
death by healing and from spiritual death by forgiving sin and its effects. Sozo in primitive cultures is translated simply, "to
give new life" and "to cause to have a new heart." And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole
spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. (1 Thessalonians 5:23)
There is a great emphasis in Christian ministry on the first part of our salvation: being “born again.” Indeed this is the key to
the subsequent facets of salvation and is rightly emphasized. This rebirth opens the door of forgiveness, cleansing and
restoration of an individual’s right standing (or right relationship) with God. It is the beginning of the fulfillment of our life-
calling and purpose, as well as the starting place for a better life here on the earth. I am the door: by me if any man enter in,
he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture. (John 10:9) To focus only on the first part of salvation leaves
the whole of God’s purpose unfulfilled. Many times, newly confessed Christians, like “newborn babies in Christ”, are left to
fend for themselves in the world as “orphans.” If we are only to believe that receiving Jesus as our Savior is the whole of
our salvation, then, when we are baptized, it would be better if we were held under the water, so we can go directly to
heaven! But there is MORE!
God’s second part of salvation is the transformation of our way of doing things and our way of thinking into His ways of
doing and thinking, i.e., submitting to His Lordship. As our minds are renewed daily, our definition of “right” and “wrong” are
changed, then our will and desires change to come in line with God’s will and desires. And be not conformed to this world:
but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of
God. (Romans 12:2); Work hard to show the results of your salvation, obeying God with deep reverence and fear. For God
is working in you, giving you the desire and the power to do what pleases him. (Philippians 2:12b-13 NLT)
As we are retrained, “working out our salvation,” we are to be of help to our brothers and sisters in Christ in working out their
salvation, as well. Even though others may only be a “few steps” behind us on the path, we are to help. Additionally, those
who are ahead of us need encouragement. Then we will no longer be immature like children. We won’t be tossed and
blown about by every wind of new teaching. We will not be influenced when people try to trick us with lies so clever they
sound like the truth. Instead, we will speak the truth in love, growing in every way more and more like Christ, who is the
head of his body, the church. He makes the whole body fit together perfectly. As each part does its own special work, it
helps the other parts grow, so that the whole body is healthy and growing and full of love. (Eph. 4: 14-16) Neglecting this
second part of salvation produces what has been referred to as “carnal Christians”, who are generally indistinguishable in
speech, actions and circumstances from the world and the worldly.
The third part of salvation is glorious! It is the eternal part of our salvation where we stand before God and receive our
incorruptible body for all time. There will be a righteous judgment pronounced for all people with all equity. Let the floods
clap their hands: let the hills be joyful together Before the LORD; for he cometh to judge the earth: with righteousness shall
he judge the world, and the people with equity. (Psalm 98:8-9) We will be crowned and filled with the Glory of God and
enter His Holy City to take up residence forever. Never again will we be hindered or hampered with sin, lack or death.
There will healing for the nations and no one will cry again. And he showed me a pure[a] river of water of life, clear as
crystal, proceeding from the throne of God and of the Lamb. In the middle of its street, and on either side of the river, was
the tree of life, which bore twelve fruits, each tree yielding its fruit every month. The leaves of the tree were for the healing of
the nations. (Revelations22:1-2) As we just to begin to think we can fathom this existence, there is a moment of which we
need to be aware, in this part of salvation. Just before we receive our heavenly home, we will stand before God in judgment
for every word and deed. But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the
day of judgment (Matthew 12:36) Though the blood of Jesus cleanses us from all remembrance of sin, everything WE
decide not to let Jesus to heal in us [including unforgiveness] will be dealt with at the judgment. Who [God] will render to
every man according to his deeds: (Romans 2:6) Satan will accuse saints of all that is not “under the blood”, and saints will
have to choose to forgive in Jesus Name or be sent to “healing class.” Now whom you forgive anything, I also forgive. For if
indeed I have forgiven anything, I have forgiven that one for your sakes in the presence of Christ (2 Cor. 2:10)
It is vital to portray in the arts all three parts of salvation in order to achieve total evangelistic expression. Praise and
worship art usually stresses the beautiful and merciful moment we were forgiven and covered in grace; the moment we
received Jesus as Lord. The LORD is my strength and song, And He has become my salvation; He is my God, and I will
praise Him; My father’s God, and I will exalt Him (Exodus 15:2 NKJV). This singular moment is enough to give God all the
glory and worship Him in spirit and truth. Truly, nothing else matters at that moment. This is the first part of God’s
salvation, in which we must shout to the world, “Freely and totally saved!”
Sometimes popular Christian music groups do not sing often of the born again experience. Instead, they express their
struggles and victories in life, yet are not considered by some to be evangelistic. On the contrary, they are sharing the
second part of salvation; the life changing, transforming power that moves us into our destinies. These things I have
spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation; but be of good cheer, I have overcome
the world.” (John 16:33) Divine help to overcome life’s challenges is VERY good news.
Likewise, other arts focus on resurrection life, the eternal promise of blessing in heaven. Often these artistic statements are
thought of as, “over the top”, ranging from dramatic to fanciful. Cherubs depicted on golden streets in a city encrusted with
gems and beams of light may seem exotic but it is a Godly vision of hope for a glorious eternity. (See Revelation Chapters
4 and 5) The good news is that there is an all powerful eternal designation for all of us who believe. It is the absolutely
sure promise of transformation of the imperfect and incomplete us, into the perfected and completed us, with Him, forever!
Glory to God!
In short, anyone can call on Jesus for salvation and be freely delivered from the lordship of Satan and the bondage of sin.
That person can then seek God’s will and live a better, more fulfilled life on earth; and when that person’s days on earth
come to an end, they may expect a glorious, eternal future. This is the triune salvation our music, art, dance, theater, film, V-
games should joyfully express to a curious world looking for answers and hope. In Jesus Name, Amen!
Love In Christ,
Gregory & Linda Emler
| Salvation |