A gospel of total salvation means we have a total relationship with Jesus.
You know, evangelicals like to ask, “Do you have a personal
relationship with Jesus?” You know how I answer that question today? “I
don’t have a personal relationship with Jesus. I have a
totalrelationship with Jesus.” Personal relationship means it’s an
individualistic, one-on-one relationship, and it’s a private matter.
It’s personal. It’s private. My relationship with Jesus is anything but private. My relationship with
Jesus is not restricted to only my religious life, so to speak. All
areas of my life, the totality of my life, my whole life – body, soul,
mind, feelings – all my life is under the Lordship of Jesus Christ. We
serve God not only in church, not only when we pray or lead a Bible
study or evangelize. We serve God with all our lives, whether at work or
play or school.