Jesus as Savior

Thesis

Jesus is the central figure of our movement—not as a distant historical figure, but as Savior, teacher, and example. Understanding who Jesus is and why he matters is foundational to everything else. His life, death, and resurrection reveal God’s love and provide the pattern for how we are to live.

Why Jesus as Savior Matters

Everything in our movement flows from Jesus. He is not just a teacher whose words we follow—he is the Savior who makes following possible. His life shows us how to live, his death shows us the cost of love, and his resurrection shows us that transformation is possible.

“I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father, except through me.” - John 14:6

Who Jesus Is

Jesus as Savior

Jesus saves us from sin, death, and the brokenness of the world. But salvation is not just about the afterlife—it’s about transformation now. Jesus saves us from:

Self-centeredness → to love and service
Materialism → to simplicity and generosity
Violence → to peacemaking
Injustice → to justice and mercy
Isolation → to community

Action: Accept Jesus as Savior means accepting his way of life. It’s not just belief—it’s following.

Jesus as Teacher

Jesus’ words are our guide. The red-letter teachings show us how to live. His parables reveal truth. His Sermon on the Mount provides our ethical compass.

Action: Study Jesus’ words. Read the Gospels. Focus on what he actually said. Apply his teachings to your life.

Jesus as Example

Jesus shows us how to live. He served the poor, challenged injustice, loved enemies, rejected materialism, and built community. His life is the pattern for ours.

Action: Follow Jesus’ example. Serve as he served. Love as he loved. Give as he gave.

See Also: Action, Serve the Poor, Practice Mercy

Jesus as Lord

Jesus is Lord—not just of our personal lives, but of all creation. This means his teachings apply to every area of life, including politics, economics, and community.

Action: Submit every area of life to Jesus’ lordship. Let his teachings guide your politics, economics, and relationships.

See Also: Policy, Political Engagement, Community

What Jesus Did

His Life

Jesus lived a life of service, compassion, and justice. He:

Served the poor and marginalized
Challenged religious and political authorities
Loved enemies and outcasts
Rejected materialism and wealth
Built community around shared values
Taught through words and actions

Action: Follow Jesus’ example in your own life. Serve, challenge, love, reject materialism, and build community.

His Death

Jesus died on the cross—the ultimate act of love and sacrifice. He died for us, showing us the cost of love and the depth of God’s commitment to us.

Action: Remember the cost of love. Be willing to sacrifice for others. Understand that following Jesus may cost you.

His Resurrection

Jesus rose from the dead, showing that death and brokenness don’t have the final word. Transformation is possible. New life is available.

Action: Live in hope. Believe that transformation is possible—in your life, in your community, in the world.

Why Jesus Matters for Our Movement

Foundation

Jesus is the foundation of our movement. Everything we do flows from who he is and what he taught. We are not a political party or a church—we are followers of Jesus.

Action: Make Jesus central to everything you do. Measure all actions, policies, and community initiatives against his teachings.

Authority

Jesus’ words are our authority. We don’t rely on later interpretations, traditions, or doctrines—we go back to what Jesus actually said.

Action: Study Jesus’ words. Let them be your guide. Don’t let other voices drown out his.

Pattern

Jesus’ life is the pattern for ours. We are called to live as he lived—serving, loving, giving, challenging injustice, building community.

Action: Follow Jesus’ example. Use his life as a model for your own.

See Also: Action, Serve the Poor, Practice Mercy

Hope

Jesus gives us hope. His resurrection shows that transformation is possible. We can change. The world can change. New life is available.

Action: Live in hope. Work for transformation. Believe that change is possible.

Practical Application

Daily Practice

Begin each day acknowledging Jesus as Savior and Lord
Read from the Gospels
Ask: What would Jesus do in this situation?
Follow his example in your actions

Weekly Practice

Study one aspect of Jesus’ life or teaching
Connect it to practical action
Share what you’re learning with others
Join with others who are following Jesus

Monthly Practice

Read through one Gospel completely
Focus on Jesus’ life, teachings, and example
Create action plans based on what you read
Join a community of Jesus followers

Common Questions

What does it mean to accept Jesus as Savior?

Accepting Jesus as Savior means:

Acknowledging your need for salvation
Believing that Jesus saves you
Committing to follow his way of life
Joining a community of followers

It’s not just belief—it’s following. Faith without works is dead.

See Also: Active Faith, Action

How is Jesus different from other teachers?

Jesus is not just a teacher—he is Savior and Lord. His words have authority because of who he is. His life shows us how to live. His death and resurrection make transformation possible.

Why focus on Jesus’ words rather than later interpretations?

Jesus’ words are our foundation. Later interpretations can be helpful, but they can also lead us away from what Jesus actually taught. We go back to the source—the red letters.

See Also: Red-Letter Teachings

How does Jesus relate to politics?

Jesus is Lord of all creation, including politics. His teachings apply to how we engage politically. We evaluate policies and candidates through the lens of his teachings.

See Also: Policy, Political Engagement

Connection to Action

Understanding Jesus as Savior connects to all areas of action:

Following his example → Action
Living out his teachings → All action pages
Building his Kingdom → Community
Applying his ethics → Policy
Serving as he served → Serve the Poor