The Trap of Supersessionism | Does Diluted Salvation Still Save? (Part 3)
As we continue to look at the repercussions of replacement theology, we must address the very serious issue of our salvation. After all, the cornerstone of a Believer’s hope is in Yeshua and the salvation He offers through His sacrifice.
Supersessionism is merely a form of replacement theology that dilutes God’s original intent. Although it is most often viewed as an overall theological view, if we are to be prepared and alert in this season, we need to understand how the enemy uses it against every area of our faith.
We have looked at how replacement theology can affect our view on God’s Law and God’s judgment. Now, we are going to look at whether or not diluted salvation can still save us from our sin.
But first, we need to understand what diluted salvation looks like and learn to recognize when the Gospel being taught is counterfeit.
What Is Diluted Salvation?
Understand this: Diluted salvation looks different than what is described in God’s Word. By definition, diluted means to make (something) weaker in force, content, or value by modifying it or adding other elements to it.
The Westernized, modern Church is allowing supersessionism to dilute many of the biblical principles, but maybe none more so than that of salvation. It is making salvation weaker, fainter, more inefficient, and easier to attain.
Many have bought into the lie that salvation is an addition to our lives rather than a completely new life we are born into by the Spirit. It has been summed up as a hand raised at church and a prayer muttered under our breath… then continue life as usual. But where is the transformation? Where is the instruction on how to walk out the fullness of that salvation and live in the biblical truth that, once marred, we are completely remade by the Potter?
“And the vessel that he made of clay was marred in the hand of the potter; so he made it again into another vessel, as it seemed good to the potter to make.”—Jeremiah 18:4
Read how Jesus explained it…
Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it.”—Matthew 7:13-14
Can we agree that Jesus is an expert in the field of salvation? So why don’t we heed His warning? How many of us are allowing a diluted Gospel to lead us down the path of destruction?
We must be careful that we are not falling into the trap of supersessionism. This trap leads us to believe God is more worried about our glory than His own, but that is not the story the Bible tells.
Supersessionism Salvation
Supersessionism salvation says that God wants us to be comfortable and not powerful.
It says that we each can continue our life as it was before, instead of completely surrendering our life to Him. It is plagued with harmful spirits, including the Poverty Spirit, the Orphan Spirit, the Religious Spirit, and the Jezebel Spirit.
It tells us that when we are faced with trials, we do not need to go into the Courts of Heaven and petition a verdict in our favor. Instead, we wait and do nothing. Yes, there are times when we need to wait upon the Lord. But during trials, we also need to understand that we can boldly approach the throne of grace and ask for what we need.
- “Let us therefore come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need.”—Hebrews 4:16
Supersessionism salvation breeds fear, doubt, and slavery to inaction.
- “For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.”—2 Timothy 1:7
Supersessionism blocks an open-portal relationship with God.
Supersessionism puts up barriers in our relationship with the Father, and thus His Spirit is blocked from flowing completely through us.
Imagine a marriage in which there is not full commitment. Just as our relationships with our spouses require work and investment, our relationship with God requires the same.
You meet your significant other, begin dating, and then declare that you are surrendering your heart and life to that person… yet, you never stop dating others. Your spouse would be left constantly questioning the sincerity of your surrender.
That relationship would not just get cut short, it would never really get started. It is the same when we raise our hands and say we are surrendering our hearts to Jesus as our Messiah, then make no effort to follow His instruction for our lives.
“These people draw near to Me with their mouth, and honor Me with their lips, but their heart is far from Me. And in vain they worship Me, teaching as doctrines the commandments of men.”—Matthew 15:8-9
Supersessionism and Our View of God’s Salvation Promise
The same goes for our view of God. If we believe His promises to Israel are no longer pertinent, then aren’t we really saying we cannot trust Him because He breaks His promises?
If God’s covenant promises to Israel are broken because of their disobedience, then who is to say that He won’t change His mind about us? This directly goes against biblical truth and His character. God cannot lie.
“God is not a man, that He should lie, nor a son of man, that He should repent. Has He said, and will He not do? Or has He spoken, and will He not make it good?”—Numbers 23:19
However, if we think He changes His mind, then we enter into the relationship with seeds of doubt, which is stony ground with little soil.
“Listen! Behold, a sower went out to sow. And it happened, as he sowed, that some seed fell by the wayside; and the birds of the air came and devoured it. Some fell on stony ground, where it did not have much earth; and immediately it sprang up because it had no depth of earth. But when the sun was up it was scorched, and because it had no root it withered away.”—Mark 4:3-6 (emphasis added)
What are your roots? God’s desire for us is to be in a right and restored relationship with Him. Through that relationship, we get to experience the fullness of the joy of our salvation, both on earth and in heaven.
“Restore to me the joy of Your salvation, and uphold me by Your generous Spirit.”—Psalm 51:12
Supersessionism Salvation, on the Other Hand…
Unfortunately, supersessionism comes in many shapes and sizes. The other form of diluted salvation is the exact opposite of taking it away and making it too easy. This form of replacement theology complicates it to the point at which we start to work for salvation, thus making it about our works rather than Yeshua.
“What does it profit, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can faith save him? …Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.”—James 2:14-17
There are many religions that have made salvation a checklist of to-dos, bringing out the Religious Spirit of pride. They fail to introduce us to Jesus so that we can begin a saving relationship.
“For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast.”—Ephesians 2:8-9
What is the right answer? If salvation cannot be earned, but we must make changes, how do we know what those changes should look like and where to begin?
We begin a relationship! Then God’s Holy Spirit will lead us to make the changes that align our heart with the Lord’s. True salvation comes when you truly surrender to the Lord. Then you will begin the see the fruit of the Spirit in your life. It is by grace we are saved; however, grace changes you and leaves evidence that you are indeed allowing the Holy Spirit to guide you.
“Jesus answered and said to him, ‘If anyone loves Me, he will keep My word; and My Father will love him, and We will come to him and make Our home with him.’”—John 14:23
Aligning with Yeshua HaMmashiach (Jesus the Messiah)
With the stakes as high as life or death, shouldn’t we be certain that the Gospel we are hearing is not teaching diluted salvation? The best way to know is to be in God’s Word consistently, because in consistency lies the victory!
God’s saving grace is inclusive—meaning everyone can have it—but that does not mean that everyone does have it.
It is time to say no to the trap of supersessionism and say yes to the true Gospel of Yeshua. When you come to know Jesus, you begin to understand your identity and purpose. When you start to discover Him through the culture and time in which He lived, you begin to see your Hebraic roots and the fullness of your salvation.
When we begin to understand that all scripture—Old and New Testament—is created equal and that it is a guide for us to live by, we unlock God’s blessings and His heavenly Kingdom here and now.
“All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work.”—2 Timothy 3:16-17
The best way to get started is to stand firm against the dilution of the Gospel and to boldly declare your trust in God and His Son for your salvation. Then walk that out through prayer, time in His Word, and generosity as He leads you to fulfill your purpose on earth as it in heaven.
“…Our Father in heaven, hallowed be Your name. Your kingdom come. Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven.”—Matthew 6:9-10
>>>God has an inheritance for anyone who is ready to claim it! [Click here] if you are ready to learn more about uncovering your identity in Christ through the Hebraic roots of the faith.<<<