Wrestling with Salvation
Insights from Our Recent Podcast Episode

Jason Fischer • Lead Pastor/Elder
June 8, 2026

2 Minute Read


In our recent podcast discussion, Blake and I tackled some of the more profound questions about salvation that were submitted during our Ask Anything Sunday. We explored the nature of God's grace, the meaning of election, and what it truly means to have saving faith. These aren't just theological concepts to debate—they're foundational truths that shape how we understand our relationship with God and our calling as His people. Just as Blake once pulled his nephew from the bottom of a pool, God has rescued us from certain spiritual death through no merit of our own. This truth reminds us that salvation is entirely God's gracious work, and that reality should fill us with both humility and joy.

Key takeaways from this episode:
  • Salvation is a gift, not a reward. Whether someone follows Jesus for decades or turns to Him in their final breath, salvation is received the same way—through God's grace alone. Like the thief on the cross, we can do nothing to earn it. The real miracle isn't that only certain sinners are allowed into heaven; it's that any sinners are allowed in at all.
  • Being "elect" means both rescued and commissioned. God's choosing of us isn't just about being saved from something—it's about being called to something. We are elected not only for salvation but for a vocation: to be witnesses to Jesus, to proclaim His excellencies, and to be a light to the world around us.
  • Saving faith produces fruit. True faith involves knowledge of who Jesus is, assent that His way is the only way, and trust that places our full weight on Him. This faith naturally produces the fruit of the Spirit—including joy, peace, and love—as we abide in Christ and allow Him to work through us.
I encourage you to reflect on these truths this week. Are there areas where you've been trying to earn God's favor rather than resting in His grace? How are you living out your calling as one of God's elect people? What fruit is evident in your life as you abide in Christ?

If you have questions or want to explore these topics further, please don't hesitate to reach out. God loves when we spend time navigating through some of these topics, and we're here to walk alongside you in that journey.

Grace and peace,

Jason Fischer




Listen To Podcast Episode



Stay connected by subscribing below so you never miss an update.

Subscribe to Letters & Reflections Updates

By subscribing, you agree to receive email communication from Heritage Church. You can unsubscribe at any time.

Up Next
From this Collection: Letters & Reflections
August 14, 2026 • 3 Minute Read
The Father's Business
I wrote this last summer and was again encouraged by the Word of God! – Tassie Phifer The summer sometimes steals my sense of purpose. The heat and limitations that accompany it can leave me weary and listless. But the Word of God is like shade in the desert- it protects and renews. “And he said to them, ‘Why were you looking for me? Did you not know that I must be in my Father’s house?’” Luke 2:49 I have been studying these first words recorded from the mouth of twelve year old Jesus. Some translations say, “…I must be about my Father’s business.” But literally it means, “I must be in the things that are my Father’s.” I have been pondering that and asking myself how can I, like Jesus, be in the things that are my Father’s? Does that mean only the things labeled as “ministry” count? Do I have to be a pastor? The rest of the gospels show an expansive view of what these things are. He starts his life in poverty and he learns a trade and works with his hands and affirms the value of work. He starts his ministry at a wedding and ends it with a death, resurrection and ascension. And in between he heals, he teaches, he celebrates, he mourns, he submits and he sacrifices. Jesus lived a full life in his thirty plus years- it was full of the boring and monotonous, the people who tempted him to stress and anger, and work that never ended and joy that was probably expressed in laugh attacks. It was easy days and days he barely made it through. And then he faced the inevitable death that all humans face. He did it all with joy and purpose and I think he could have that joy because he knew it was ALL part of his Father’s business. Every person he interacted with was part of his Father’s business. All the toil he set his hands to and the prayers he prayed were his Father’s work. And because HE did all this, I CAN TOO. I can view it ALL through the lens of purpose and joy. Some days I feel like I can barely finish the day and all I want is the oblivion of rest but there are days I can count it all joy. I can see that all the clothes I fold for the seven of us is part of the business of the Father because these people are the business of the Father. I see that endless dishes under foaming suds are part of His business. I can see that my walks and chats with my neighbors have purpose because they are the business of the Father’s. I see that my sacrifice no one sees, God sees and he is pleased because I, like Jesus, am in the things that are my Father’s. Be encouraged today! Jesus knows what living means. He knows it feels tedious and painful and unfruitful because he is a High Priest who experienced every temptation we experience. He has compassion for you AND the strength you need to live boldly and fully. I am praying for you. That you would turn to Jesus and ask him to help you see your life the way he does. That you, through his lens, could see the hungry and thirsty around you and point them to the living water. That you could turn even the mundane and monotonous into worship by doing them for him!

Tassie Phifer

Director of Women's Ministries

Currently Reading
June 8, 2026 • 2 Minute Read
Wrestling with Salvation
In our recent podcast discussion, Blake and I tackled some of the more profound questions about salvation that were submitted during our Ask Anything Sunday. We explored the nature of God's grace, the meaning of election, and what it truly means to have saving faith. These aren't just theological concepts to debate—they're foundational truths that shape how we understand our relationship with God and our calling as His people. Just as Blake once pulled his nephew from the bottom of a pool, God has rescued us from certain spiritual death through no merit of our own. This truth reminds us that salvation is entirely God's gracious work, and that reality should fill us with both humility and joy. Key takeaways from this episode: Salvation is a gift, not a reward. Whether someone follows Jesus for decades or turns to Him in their final breath, salvation is received the same way—through God's grace alone. Like the thief on the cross, we can do nothing to earn it. The real miracle isn't that only certain sinners are allowed into heaven; it's that any sinners are allowed in at all. Being "elect" means both rescued and commissioned. God's choosing of us isn't just about being saved from something—it's about being called to something. We are elected not only for salvation but for a vocation: to be witnesses to Jesus, to proclaim His excellencies, and to be a light to the world around us. Saving faith produces fruit. True faith involves knowledge of who Jesus is, assent that His way is the only way, and trust that places our full weight on Him. This faith naturally produces the fruit of the Spirit—including joy, peace, and love—as we abide in Christ and allow Him to work through us. I encourage you to reflect on these truths this week. Are there areas where you've been trying to earn God's favor rather than resting in His grace? How are you living out your calling as one of God's elect people? What fruit is evident in your life as you abide in Christ? If you have questions or want to explore these topics further, please don't hesitate to reach out. God loves when we spend time navigating through some of these topics, and we're here to walk alongside you in that journey. Grace and peace, Jason FischerListen To Podcast Episode

Jason Fischer

Lead Pastor/Elder