Posts Tagged ‘believe’
Why A Savior
A True Christmas Story – An all time favorite of this Journal.
It is December and, of course, it is time to celebrate Christmas. Well, most of us do anyway. But, have you ever wondered why there was, or is, a need for a Savior?
In the Christmas story, where we find the babe lying in a manger because there was no room at the Inn, an angel of Lord came to some shepherds to announce to them about the birth. The story goes like this:
8 And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9 And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid. 10 And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. 11 For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord. 12 And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger. 13 And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, 14 Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men. (Luke 2: 8-14)
In verse 11 we read about the angel telling the shepherds that a Savior had been born. A Savior? Why a Savior? In short, a Savior is needed to save us from ourselves, because of what we are unable to do for ourselves.
To begin, we need to go back all the way to the book of Judges, to the very last chapter – Chapter 21 – and to the very last verse of the chapter – verse 25:
25 In those days there was no king in Israel; everyone did what was right in his own eyes.
Look where it says, “everyone did what was right in his own eyes.” It does not say they did what was right in God’s eyes but in their own eyes. Very much like today.
The Old Testament is a story, albeit a true one, about God choosing a people for His own, and giving them the opportunity to prove that they could be obedient to Him and, by doing so, earn a place in Heaven. However they continued to show that this was not possible and they constantly sought to do their own will and not God’s. They could not be completely obedient to the Laws that God had given them; basically the Ten Commandments which was part of the covenant that God had made with them. In doing so, that is in doing what they saw was right in “their” own eyes, they gave evidence to God that they could not do anything to earn forgiveness for their sins and to be found worthy of acceptance into Heaven.
They would not do what God wanted of them, they desired to do what they felt was right in their own eyes; regardless of what God wanted.
In Hebrews 8: 8, 9 we read:
8 Because finding fault with them, He says: “Behold, the days are coming, says the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah— 9 not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day when I took them by the hand to lead them out of the land of Egypt; because they did not continue in My covenant, and I disregarded them, says the Lord.
If God’s chosen people could not continue in the agreed upon Covenant with Him, then how could anyone do so? The answer is they can’t. No one can. No one has and no one will ever do so. For that reason mankind, based on the continued disobedience of God’s chosen people, proved that because of their sin nature they would never be found acceptable in God’s sight and could never fulfill the righteous requirements of this same Covenant. Thus mankind was condemned to spend eternity in hell. Unless someone would stand in their place and fulfill the requirements of God so that we could be forgiven and find a place in Heaven for us.
In short, mankind needed a Savior!
In Romans 8: 1-4 we read:
There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus,[a] who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit. 2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus has made me free from the law of sin and death. 3 For what the law could not do in that it was weak through the flesh, God did by sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, on account of sin: He condemned sin in the flesh, 4 that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.
For what the Law “could not do” Christ did for us in our place. Jesus fulfilled the righteous requirements of the Law and because of that all who put their trust in Him will receive forgiveness for their sins and be found worthy of being accepted into Heaven based on what Jesus has done for us.
This is the Savior that we are told about in the Christmas story. “For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord.”
That is why we were sent a Savior. Without one there would be no way to Heaven; we would all stand condemned before God for our sins. Jesus is the only way. He is the gate by which we must pass through in order to go into Heaven and go out into eternity with Him.
So, this Christmas be as the shepherds and believe in the miracle of the virgin born Savior. Come to Him with praise and thanksgiving and receive Him as your Lord and Savior. Be as the shepherds and hear the Heavenly multitude say:
“Glory to God in the highest, and peace on earth, and toward men good will.”
Why a Savior? Because we can do nothing to save ourselves. Jesus is that Savior. Come to the manger now and receive Him into your heart.
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Why Regeneration Always Precedes Faith
Titus 3:5-6 KJV
Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour.
It is said, “Regeneration always precedes faith.” The question, then, is why? Why must we need to be born again before we will have faith with which to believe in Jesus?
A good way to explain anything is to give or show a demonstration about what we are talking. The best example, here, would be the story of the death and raising of Lazarus.
Now Lazarus was the brother of Mary and Martha and they were all close friends of Jesus, and while Jesus was away Lazarus became sick and eventually died. Then Jesus took His disciples and went to where Lazarus was buried.
When Jesus arrived He took Mary and Martha, along with his disciples and all the mourners that were there to the tomb were Lazarus was buried.
Jesus had them roll away the stone, then yelled, “ Lazarus, come forth”. What happened next? What had to be done before Lazarus could respond? Think it through.
Ephesians 2:1 KJV
And you hath he quickened(made alive), who were dead in trespasses and sins;
Ephesians 2:5 KJV
Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace you are saved;)
Colossians 2:13 KJV
And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses;
Yes, before Lazarus could respond he had to be given life. Just like you and I, when our name was called we, too, were dead, a spiritual death, albeit, but just as dead spiritually as Lazarus was physically, and we needed to be given life before we could respond to the call from Jesus to “Come forth”.
Not only are we saved (regeneration) by the Grace of God, we are also given the gift of faith by which we believe in Jesus.
Ephesians 2:8-9 KJV
For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: [9] Not of works, lest any man should boast.
As we read in Romans 10: 8 – 10, faith is already in our heart before we confess that Jesus is Lord.
Romans 10:8 KJV
But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach;
Romans 10:9 KJV
That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.
Romans 10:10 KJV
For with the “heart” man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.
To answer the question of, “Why must we need to be born again (regeneration) before we will have faith with which to believe in Jesus?”, the answer is simple. Unless we are first given life, “spiritual life”(regeneration), we would never be given the gift of faith with which to believe in Jesus and to proclaim Him Lord.
That is why “Regeneration Always Precedes Faith”. We first need to be saved (regeneration), by the Grace of God – Alone. Then given the gift of faith with which we believe in Jesus. Only then do we respond to the call of Jesus to “Come forth.”
By Grace are we saved.
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Did Jesus Talk About Election In John Six
The doctrine of election is quite divisive among all Christian religions.
They who believe in God’s choosing who will be saved, will say that if they had not been chosen for salvation they would never have been born-again for they had no desire to be saved.
On the other side, they who deny the doctrine of election, do so for they believe that God has given everyone the free-will to choose whether or not they want to accept or reject salvation offered by Jesus.
The question is who is right in their doctrine? The answer might be found in what Jesus taught in the gospel of John chapter six?
Read the following scripture verses to see for yourself, and may God give you understanding.
John 6:29
Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that you believe on him whom he has sent.
John 6:37
All that the Father gives me will come to me; and him that comes to me I will in no wise cast out.
John 6:38-39
For I came down from heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of him that sent me. [39] And this is the Father’s will which has sent me, that of all which he has given me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up again at the last day.
John 6:44
No man can come to me, except the Father which has sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day.
John 6:65
And he said, Therefore said I unto you, that no man can come unto me, except it were given unto him of my Father.
So, we see that believing in Jesus is a work done by God, not by man, and all in whom God chooses to believe in Jesus will come to Jesus. For it is the will of God that all whom He brings to Jesus that Jesus will loose of all whom the Father brings to Him.
Jesus further said that the reason for God working in man to believe, and to bring to Jesus, is that no one “can” come to Jesus unless God brings them. To reinforce this claim, Jesus lastly says that no one “can” come to Me unless My Father gives them the ability to come.
This is why we are saved by God’s Grace. For salvation is all of God.
These verses are very clear in what they say and it will take God to give you understanding to these statements. I pray that God is doing so at this very moment.
Believe not in your religion but in what Jesus says in Scripture.
The Role That Faith Plays In Our Salvation
Eph 2:8 For by grace are ye saved “through” faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
I am sure you have heard someone say, “by faith are we saved” or “we are saved by faith” or “I was saved by faith in Jesus”.
However, these statements are quite misleading. Surprised? So was I when I learned these truths and discovered that, while faith plays a part in salvation, ultimately we are not saved by faith.
Here is how we are saved according to Scripture and the role played by faith.
The first thing we need to learn is that in our unsaved state we are spiritually dead in our sins.
Eph 2: 1, 2 And you, who were dead in trespasses and sins; were living according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now works in the children of disobedience:
The problem here is that being spiritually dead in sins we are not able to hear nor understand the Word of God (1Co 2: 14). As Jesus said, we are not able to come to Him unless the Father gives them the ability to respond (John 6: 65).
So, think about this. Before anyone, who is spiritually dead, can respond to what is said to them, what needs to be done?
Spiritually dead people need to be given life before they can respond! For one being saved, how does this happen? The answer is quite simple. Read these verses and may God give you understanding.
Ephesians 2:4, 5 But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, even when we were dead in sins, has quickened us together with Christ, (by grace you are saved;)
At this first point of salvation we see only salvation by Grace, nothing about faith.
Now the question is this. How does Grace save us?.
The answer can be found in Titus 3: 5.
Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;
We see here that it is by being regenerated (Born-Again) that we are saved. This makes perfect sense that we should be given spiritual life before we can respond.
Once spiritual life enters into us we are now saved, but there is more to be done to show our salvation and this is where “Faith” plays its part, and its reason for happening now.
You see, there are three steps that happens during the act of being saved and they all happen almost simultaneously.
However, we must see what is the end point first to understand the part that “Faith” plays.
In Romans 10: 8 – 10 we read this.
But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach; that if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believes unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.
Finally, now we see the word “Faith” being used. Before anyone can believe in Jesus and confess Him to be Lord, they must have Faith with which to believe and to say that Jesus is Lord, and we see that “Faith” is found in their heart.
From where does this “Faith” come?
Read these verses from Ephesians.
Eph 2:8 For by grace are ye saved “through” faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
The secret word that many people never consider is the word “through”. Notice that the word “through” is being used (through faith) and not the word “by” (by faith). This is important. The word “through” means “a path, conduit, a way of getting from one point to another point.”
Faith, a gift of God, is just a means of getting from (point A) being born-again to (point B) believing on Jesus.
So how does this Grace, Faith and Believe work?
Being spiritually dead in sins, salvation happens like this.
First comes life. By God’s Grace one is Saved, regenerated, Born-Again, given spiritual life.
Second, once alive we are given the gift of Faith by God.
Third, led through faith, after being given spiritual life, we now have the ability to believe on Jesus and confess Him to be Lord.
Faith does play an important part in one’s salvation, but Faith alone does not save. For one is first saved by Grace, then Faith is given as a gift, to provide the path and the ability for one to Believe on Jesus.
That is the role that “Faith” plays in our salvation.
No Greater Love Than The Love Of Jesus
Romans 5:8 KJV
“But God demonstrates his own love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.”
February is the month of Valentines Day, celebrating romance and love for that special person in our life. On this day we try our best to show just how much we love because we never reveal a love like this on any other day of the year. So many of us work out something special on Valentine’s Day out of guilt for not demonstrating how much we love during rest of the year.
We may believe that we have great love for others but we do not, for there is no greater love than the love of Jesus. Here is why.
Our love is a tainted love, one given from a sin nature based on conditional love. It is not a sacrificial love expecting nothing in return. However, the love of Christ is a sacrificial love given to people who do not deserve to be loved by God.
Because we are as stated in Romans 3:10-12 KJV
“As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one: [11] There is none that understands, there is none that seeks after God. [12] They are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable; there is none that does good, no, not one.”
None of us are good enough to deserve to be loved by Jesus but, here is what Jesus has done for us to save us out of His love:
Romans 5:9-10 KJV
“Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him. [10] For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life.”
Ephesians 2:5 KJV
“Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;)”
Colossians 2:13-14 KJV
“And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses; [14] Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross;
In short, what Jesus did was to save people from facing the wrath of God, for being sinful people living in disobedience to God, providing forgiveness for “ALL” of our sins – past, present and future sins – by being obedient for us. He gave us a new spiritual life and guaranteed our entrance into heaven, not based on what we have done nor by our will, but by the will and grace of God because of what Jesus has done.
As we read in that famous verse:
John 3:16 KJV
“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.”
In other words, they who believe in Jesus will never perish because of our sins and is given eternal life in heaven. So how do we show we believe in Jesus? Read the following scripture verse:
Romans 10:9 KJV
“That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.”
You, too, can know the love of Jesus by confessing Him to being Lord over you and believing that God raised Him from the dead. Only then will you be able to say that there is “No Greater Love Than The Love Of Jesus.”
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This Is The Work Of God
John 6:28-29 KJV Then said they unto him, What shall we do, that we might work the works of God? Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent.
Can man do this work of God? For hundreds of years the Hebrews had to try to do works of righteousness in order to prove they could obey the Law, receive Promises from God or be blessed by God, so it was quite easy for them to ask this question. They just needed to know what “they” could do.
For they said, “What shall WE do … that WE might work the works of God”?
Works of righteousness is all they were ever taught. Even after they failed at this, they still believed they could do it themselves. However, Jesus threw them a curve which they did not understand.
“Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent.” However, they still did not understand, “John 6: 30 They said therefore unto him, What sign will you show then, that WE may see, and believe thee? what dost thou work?”
Even though Jesus had said it was God’s work for them to believe they still wanted to believe on their own, so they could do God’s work In doing a work of righteousness themselves.
Throughout the New Testament God has said the following:
Ephesians 2:8, 9 KJV
For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: [9] Not of works, lest any man should boast.
2 Timothy 1:9 KJV
Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began,
Titus 3:5 KJV
Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;
Even today many who call themselves a Christian believe people can still do the work of God in believing on Jesus and be saved by a work of righteousness on their part, by believing, as they do their bit in saving themselves and staying saved on their own will.
Mankind just cannot give up their “Right” to save themselves. They still want to do it, even though Jesus says, “This is the work of God.”
In the Old Testament, being under the Law, mankind was in a works based system where man did a work and God responded accordingly. However, in the New Testament, being under God’s Grace, mankind is in a faith based system where God works in man and man responds accordingly.
Our faith, given to us is a gift when we are saved by Grace (Eph. 2:8, 9), is in Christ Jesus for having done for us what we cannot do for ourselves. It is by the faith of Jesus that we are justified.
Galatians 2:16 KJV Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.
Mankind cannot take any credit for being saved. Salvation is all of God, and believing in Jesus is the result of God working His will in us through regeneration so that we can, and will, believe on Him in whom God has sent.
For by Grace are you saved … not of works.
Who has saved us, and called us, not according to our works.
Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us.
A Christians Lifestyle Should Be To Live Peaceably With All Men
Romans 12:18 KJV … If it be possible, as much as lies in you, live peaceably with all men.
The scripture above is one that is rarely mentioned, less preached on and hardly ever mentioned among born-again Christians. Can you think of any reason why? I am sure you can.
However, living in peace with everyone is the Christian’s responsibility, because of the phrase, “as much as lies in you”. We are not to respond to others being peaceful with us, but for others to respond to us being at peace with them. It is our lot in life to be at peace with others no matter how they treat us.
The question is, how do we go about practicing peace with others as Christ did while here on earth. What scriptures are there to which we can look at that will help us to be at peace with others? Here are three of many scriptures that will help guide us as to what God requires of us in living a life of peace.
They are pretty much self-explanatory.
1 Timothy 2:1-3 KJV
I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; [2] For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. [3] For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour;
2 Corinthians 13:11 KJV
Finally, brethren, farewell. Be perfect, be of good comfort, be of one mind, live in peace; and the God of love and peace shall be with you.
Hebrews 12:14 KJV
Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord:
These last two verses should be more than enough of Godly incentives to instill in us a desire of wanting to do what is necessary in living a life of peace with everyone. Praying for those in authority, from the head of a nation down to the local government, to daily living a life of peace with all men is pleasing to God.
How much are you willing to do in living a lifestyle of peace in order to experience God’s love and peace in this life and in the life to come? Depends on how much you really want to see the Lord and for living in eternity with our Lord Jesus.
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Five Of The Hardest And Graphic New Testament Scripture Verses To Read
John 6:53-57 KJV – 53 Then Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except you eat the flesh of the Son of man and drink his blood you have no life in you.
54 Who ever eats my flesh, and drinks my blood, has eternal life; and I will raise him up at the last day.
55 For my flesh is food indeed, and my blood is drink indeed.
56 He that eats my flesh, and drinks my blood, dwells in me, and I in him.
57 As the living Father hath sent me, and I live by the Father: so he that eats me, even he shall live because of me.
When was the last time you read these verses or heard a sermon about them? Hard to read and understand were they not.
Some Christian religions say that this is all about the Holy Communion and that the bread and wine actually becomes the body and blood of Jesus, but retain the appearance of the bread and wine.
Another Christian religion believes that the bread and wine themselves do not change into the body and blood of Jesus but coexist with the body and blood of Jesus.
Other Christian religions believe that in taking the bread and wine is only a symbolic way of remembering how Jesus gave up His body and shed His blood for they who would be saved.
However, it may be that these sayings of Jesus had nothing at all to do with Holy Communion. What if I told you that these verses, together, was a metaphor about the basic salvation message of Jesus. Curious? Read on.
Reread the verses again and look not on the body and blood phrases but where it says “have no life in you”, “raise him up the last day”, dwells in me, and I in him”, “shall live because of me”, “shall live for ever”. You just might see a different perspective.
Now, what if I said that there is a single verse, mentioned a little earlier in this chapter, where Jesus says all this very plainly.
Here is that verse: John 6:35 KJV
“And Jesus said unto them, I am the bread of life: he that comes to me shall never hunger; and he that believes on me shall never thirst.”
In short, eating the body of Jesus is a metaphor for coming to Jesus and drinking His blood is a metaphor for believing on Jesus; they who do come and believe will never hunger and thirst, spiritually, again. How else can we dwell with and have life in Jesus, and live for ever, unless we come to Him and believe on Him.
Jesus could just as easily have stated these same verses in a more simplistic way like this example.
John 6:53-57 KJV – 53 Then Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except you come to the the Son of man, and believe on him, you have no life in you.
54 Whoever comes to me, and believes on me, has eternal life; and I will raise him up at the last day.
55 For my word is food indeed, and believing on me is drink indeed.
56 He that comes to me, and believes on me, dwells in me, and I in him.
57 As the living Father hath sent me, and I live by the Father: so he that comes to me, even he shall live because of me.
Reading these verses like this makes a lot more sense. Just a longer version of verse 35.
The fact that many followers turned away from Him and went away, because of what He said, showed very clearly that they had been following Him for the wrong reasons. Something many followers also do in this day and age. For they never came to Him and believed on Him, in the first place and was given eternal life. They were looking for what they needed and wanted in the here and now.
How about you? Do you still hunger and thirst more for what you think this world can give you now? Hopefully you have come to Jesus, and believed on Him and are now looking forward to life eternal.
“And Jesus said unto them, I am the bread of life: he that comes to me shall never hunger; and he that believes on me shall never thirst.”
Scriptural Text Should Always Be Read In Their Context
A single verse of scripture can be read on its own and one can derive a certain meaning from its words. However, when read in their context the meaning most often changes and the true meaning comes to light. A good example is John 1: 12
John 1:12 KJV – But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:
Just using this verse one could say that all who receive Jesus and believe on His name, God would make them His children, but is this what the verse means?
Let’s see this verse in its context from John 1: 10 – 13
John 1:10-13 KJV – He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not.
11 He came unto his own, and his own received him not.
12 But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons (children) of God, even to them that believe on his name:
13 Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.
Jesus had come into His world and no one received Him or believed on Him. So what happened? The answer is found in verse 13 which explains, and makes clear, what verse 12 really means.
Verse 13 begins, “which were born” – born again. When someone is born again they become a child of God. In addition, the word “will” in verse 13 actually means determination or choice. We are told that being born again did not happen because we are born into a Christian family ( not of blood )nor by the will of the flesh ( determining or choosing to do good works ) nor by the will of man ( determining to receive Jesus and choosing to believe on Him ). We are born again by the will of God.
When reading verse 12 in context it is easy to see, by verse 13, that one is made a child of God – born again – first by God. Then the one born again receives Jesus and willingly believes on Him according to the will of God, and not by the will of man.
So you can see that reading a verse by itself will not reveal the true meaning of it without reading it in the context in which it was written.
The What Why and How of Salvation
There are a number of Christian Religions but only two ways of salvation being preached.
The more popular one is a man-centered one where man must choose to be saved and then do or say something in order to receive God’s forgiveness and salvation.
The other, least popular, way is God-centered where He forgives and saves as He wills because man is unable to save himself.
The place to find the answers is in scripture; God’s holy word. We will look at the What the Why and the How of salvation as found in the Word. Then we will see what is the Response of the one that is saved when called by God.
The scriptures are all quoted within the context in which they were written, to understand better why God wrote them in the first place.
The What…
2 Timothy 1:8-9 KJV – Be not thou therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me his prisoner: but be thou partaker of the afflictions of the gospel according to the power of God;
9 Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began.
Here we see that the first thing God does is save us as He wills. Then He calls us. But why must He first save us? Read the following verses to see the Why.
The Why…
Ephesians 2:1-5 KJV – And you hath he quickened , who were dead in trespasses and sins;
2 Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience:
3 Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others.
4 But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us,
5 Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;)
Twice in these verses we are told that man is dead ( spiritually ) because of our sinful condition and are children of wrath like everyone else. But God makes us alive which sets us free and It is by His Grace that we are made alive. So How does Grace save us?
The How…
Titus 3:5-7 KJV – Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;
6 Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour;
7 That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.
Being saved by Grace is simple. We see that it is not by our will that we are saved but by God’s Grace which is the washing of regeneration ( born-again) and the renewing of the Holy Spirit. We are forgiven, saved and made new by being born-again. We are justified – saved – by the Grace of God. Having been saved, what is the Response of those saved and called?
The Response of Those Saved and Called…
Romans 10:8-10 KJV – But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach;
9 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.
10 For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.
When we are Saved ( born-again ) we are made alive in the spirit and given a new heart. One filled with love and faith, having been given to us as a gift when we were saved, and with faith we confess Jesus as our Lord and believe that He was raised from the dead and is alive and watching over us.
Scripture clearly says that God ( The What ) saves us, ( The Why ) for we cannot save ourselves because of our sin nature, ( The How ) by grace which is the act of making us alive , born-again, then calls us. ( The Response ) with the faith given to us as a gift when we were born-again, we confess Jesus as Lord and believe that God has raised from the dead and we confess our salvation found only in Jesus.
So there you have it; The What, The Why, The How and The Response of God’s Salvation. What say you?
A synopsis…
Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace. Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.
Riff's Christian Journal 