Perhaps the Christian disposition could be said to resemble that of a wayward human being who was pulled from the gutter, pardoned for his crimes, cleaned up, trained up, and hired to do honest, fulfilling work with his new talents for the benefit of other people. I occasionally read stories of men who have actually gone through that, and their expressed gratitude comes from being saved in several ways.

The Christian is a disciple who aspires to fulfill, in this life, the purposes for which God has shown mercy and still imparts his grace and his gifts. For to be saved from a wayward existence leading to destruction is to be saved into a new life as God’s own instruments, doing what glorifies God, blesses others and brings real joy.

-- “[Christ] died for all, that those who live might no longer live for themselves but for him who for their sake died and was raised.” (2 Cor. 5:15 ESV)
-- We are “created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.” (Eph. 2:10 ESV)
-- “[Christ] gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works.” (Titus 2:14 ESV)
-- “But you are a chosen race … that you may proclaim the excellencies of him who brought you out of darkness and into his marvelous light.” (1 Peter 2:9 ESV)
-- Jesus said, “If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them.” (John 13:17 ESV)
-- Jesus said, “By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples. […] These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.” (John 15:8, 11 ESV)