SO GEAT SALVATION!-
By Cecil etsinger
THE TERM salvation means deliverance, rescue, and being saved. In the Bible it indicates a work of God for man, not something man must do for God. In this present dispensation of grace it applies to the individual believer, the one who is trusting Christ as his Savior.
Included in that salvation are various positions and blessings freely bestowed on "all who believe." No one word could fully describe those benefits; they are too abundant and wonderful. So God uses different words, each one given the assignment of revealing a different facet of the truths of "so great salvation." Justification, faith, redemption, forgive. ness, propitiation, reconciliation, grace and glorification are but some of the words thus used.
Particular aspects of salvation will be dealt with in future articles. For now, some of its more general features will be considered. These will be viewed under three headings: the three-fold principle of salvation; a change of citizenship; salvation-past, present and future.
A Three-Fold Principle
There is a three-fold principle in the salvation of the believer in Christ. Though these may not all be mentioned at the same time, salvation is represented as being given by the grace of God, based on the blood of Christ (that is, His death on the cross), and received through faith on the part of the individual. That three. divisioned rule is well set forth in Romans 3:23.25. It is by grace (verse 24), based on blood verse 25), and through foith verse 25).
1. By Grace
To say that salvation is by grace Is to say that salvation, in its entirety, is a work of God for man. It indicates man's helpless and hopeless condition, the fact that he has neither the ability nor the inclination to save himself. Even a casual examination of Scripture reveals that there was, and is, no merit or good in man that would obligate God to act in his behalf. Romans 3:10.18 is a merciless and damning indictment of all mankind. It, along with other Scriptures, reveals man's utterly corrupt and sinful condition (Genesis 6:5; Jeremiah 17:9; Romans 7:18). If man is to be saved it must be from without himself.
Just as the Bible clearly asserts that man has neither the means nor the desire to accomplish his own salvation, so does it clearly depict that, from start to finish, it is all of God. He is its Author and Finisher of our faith. Hebrews 12:2). "For God so loved the world, that He gave His Only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life" (John 3:16). "For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: not of works, lest any man should boast" Ephesians 2:8.9).
2. By Christ's Blood
Here is something that fallen man refuses to accept, that is, ". . . without the shedding of blood is no remission" Hebrews 9:22). But the Scriptures are saturated with the teaching and statements that we are saved by the blood of Christ. The blood, of course, represents His life that was given on Calvary's cross - not the life that He lived on earth, much though that might mean to us. His death is the grounds of our redemption. (Examine closely Romans 3:24-25; Acts 20:28; Ephesians 1:7; I Peter 1:18, 2:24; II Corinthians 5:21.)
God does not forgive sin in our sense of the word, that of overlooking it. The Bible teaches that when Christ died on the cross the justice of God was satisfied as far as the sin-question was concerned. All the claims of His holy law against the sinner were settled in that death. He became the believer's substitute, One Who was provided by God Himself to take the sinner's place. In Christ's death God could vindicate .His righteousness and yet save the sinner.
Nor would any other sacrifice do. "The blood of bulls and goats (the Old Testament sacrifices) could never take away sin" (Hebrews 10:4). God did not arbitrarily appoint the death of Jesus Christ as the sole means of salvation. This would have been an unnecessary and exceedingly cruel act had there been any other way. Christ was sent; He came and died, because nothing else could solve the sin problem. Salvation is not just by blood; it must be by His blood.
3. By Faith
That salvation is by faith and faith alone is the clear teaching of the New Testament Scriptures. At least 135 times do they state that believe (have faith) is all that a sinner must or can do to be saved. "For by grace are ye saved through faith" (Ephesians 2:8-9) and "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and thou shalt be saved ... " (Acts 16:31) present this truth as plainly as words can. In addition to these are numerous other Scriptures which teach that no self. effort or good works can ever save. It is "not by deeds of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us ... (Titus 3:5); "For by grace are ye saved through faith ... not of works lest any man should boast" (Ephesians 2:8-9).
However, faith is not some act or quality which makes its possessor worthy of salvation. Faith is simply the channel through which it comes, the hand that receives the gift. All too often an unwarranted emphasis is placed on believing or faith, making it seem some sort of work for God and thus marking out the one with faith as deserving of salvation.
But faith cannot save. Only Christ can do that. It is not our faith but the blood of Christ that forever settled the sinquestion. Faith Is resting in God, depending on what He has done for us, not what we do for Him.
A Change in Citizenship
Salvation is far more than just deliverance from the guilt and penalty of sin. It means rescue from the power, the control and the government of Satan. It means being brought into relationship with God, coming under His control, and a transfer of citizenship into His Kingdom. All humanity dwells in one or the other of two camps, either God's or Satan's. There is no middle ground, no alternative. "We know that we (Christians-believers) are of God and the whole world (all others-unbelievers) lieth in the wicked one" (l John 5:19 NASV). This change in leadership and citizenship is no small thing, necessitating as it did the death of Christ for its accomplishment (Hebrews 2:14-15).
Two passages of Scripture relating to that remarkable change are here quoted. "Giving thanks unto the Father ... Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of His dear Son" (Colossians 1:12.13). "And you hath He made alive, who were dead in trespasses and sins; wherein in times past ye walked according to the course of this world; according to the prince of the power of the air (Satan) ... Among whom we all had our manner of life in times past ... and were by nature the children of wrath ... But God. Who is rich in mercy ... hath made us alive together with Christ ... and hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ" (Ephesians 2:1.6). And this is only part of it. Indeed the Christian can sing, "What a wonderful change in my life has been wrought .
Three Time Periods
There are three time periods in the salvation of the believer-past, present and future. He has been saved, is being saved, and will be saved.
1. Salvation Past
Salvation past takes in all that God has done for His child when He saved him from the guilt and penalty of sin. That he has thus been saved there can be no doubt. "There is therefore now no condemnation judgment) to them that are in Christ Jesus" (Romans 8:1). "Verily, verily, I say unto you, he that heareth My Word, and believeth on Him that sent Me, has everlasting life, and shall never come into condemnation judgement); but is (already) passed from death into life" (John 5:24)
2. Salvation Present
In this aspect of salvation the keeping power of God is evidenced. Scriptures are clear to the effect that the one who has once been saved can never be lost. Once he has been justified (declared righteous) his glorification (entrance into heaven) irrevocably follows (Romans 8:30). The Holy Spirit of God has sealed (preserved) the believer until the day of his final redemption (Ephesians 4:30). "He shall never perish, neither shall any (one or thing) pluck him out of the Father's hand" (John 10:28) and there is absolutely nothing that can separate him from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus (Romans 8:37-39). The believer is "kept by the power of God" (! Peter 1:5), not by his own efforts or goodness.
3. Salvation Future
Under this heading would be included all the matchless and unfathomable blessings and positions which the child of God under grace will one day inherit and possess. When it is considered that the glorified Christ is the pattern to which the believer is ultimately to be conformed, the imagination is staggered and faith is taxed to its limit. But this is the sure Word of God. "Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when He shall appear, we shall be like Him; for we shall see Him as He is" (! John 3:2). "For our citizenship is in heaven; from whence also we look for the Savior the Lord Jesus Christ: Who shall change our vile (lowly) body, that it may be fashioned like unto His glorious body . . ." (Philippians 3:20.21).
It is no wonder that it is called "GEAT SALVATION."
WHICH GOSPEL WHEN (Click) Paul R. Van Gorder
WHICH GOSPEL WHEN (Click) Paul R. Van Gorder
Les Feldick Ministries
30706 W. Lona Valley Rd.
Kinta, OK 74552
Posted By Cecil and Connie Spivey
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