Why A Savior?

 Part of life is learning through imperfect analogy such as learning lessons through stories.  We are constantly making sense of the world by little incomplete or inaccurate comparisons to stories or pictures or depictions.

These stories are great for experiencing a specific perspective for a short duration and finding a moral or lesson that is applicable to our given situation.

One common criticism of religious explanations is this process of imperfect analogy however is part of the process of learning itself.  Christ taught through stories and parables then said "He who hath ears to hear, let him hear." (Mark 4:9)  It gives us the opportunity to find new applications to those analogies we draw from stories.

One of the most common analogies I have heard used to explain Christ's role in my salvation is that of someone who pays off my debt.  The imperfect analogy being that when I sin I incur debt and I, not being able to pay that debt, need the help of a third party, which is Christ.

I think this is a beautiful analogy but I have seen imperfect lessons drawn from it.  For example 'would my actions if perfect be sufficient for my salvation?'  I believe that is an erroneous leap.  Another example 'how could it be justice for one man (Christ) to be punished for the mistakes of another?'

One of the imperfect parts of that analogy is the transactional nature.  It's a price for a good or service.  Christ suffers, we get forgiveness.  I don't that is wrong, but I think the interaction is transformational not transactional.  I like how Isaiah 1:18 says it:

"…though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool."

I have come to another imperfect analogy but I think it complements the first.  I think of my life actions, my agency being a liquid.  As I was brought into this world I was innocent and without blemish, so that liquid was crystal clear.  As I have grown the choices and mistakes I have made have introduced imperfections into that liquid.  Because that liquid is part of me I can't remove them myself, it's like trying to wipe a counter with a dirty rag, but Christ is the only one who lived perfectly and without mistakes he is the only one who can filter the blemishes I have.

I have grown to see Christ as more of a willing filter who is willing to use of himself to improve me.  The analogy is still imperfect but I think it helps me to complement the understanding of what Christ's sacrifice actually did for me.  One area that I think the analogy is not yet complete is the fact that through Christ's grace and atonement we are improved and elevated, not just cleansed, which is far more obvious when investigating the resurrection.