HOW IS SALVATION RECEIVED?
“Therefore
it is of faith, that it might be by grace; to the end the promise
might be sure to all the seed.” -ROMANS
4:16 [KJV]
Most
everyone would agree that there is IMMENSE NEED OF SALVATION in the
soul of all people. Just look around, there are churches and
different denominations of religion everywhere. Surely, people are
saying there is a necessity of salvation. The scriptures certainly
make it plain that there is a need of salvation. For we read, “For
all have sinned and come short of the glory of God” (ROMANS
3:23). The
difference among men is, HOW IS SALVATION RECEIVED? Some say it is
received by works, efforts and ceremony or being a member of a
certain church.
However, the scriptures plainly teach that salvation
(the Lord Jesus Christ) is received by faith, not by works. It
was said of Abraham, “He staggered not at THE PROMISE OF
GOD through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to
God and being fully persuaded that, what He
had promised, He was able also to
perform” (Rom.4:20-21). God in His infinite wisdom has
sovereignly chosen faith as the means to receive His salvation
(ROMANS
5:1; JOHN
3:36). God reveals to us at least two reasons why salvation is
received by believing and not by doing.
1).
”That it might be by grace.”
Grace
and works are opposites and pull apart. Grace and faith are
cooperative and pull together (ROMANS
11:6). Faith is
the fruit of the sovereign grace of God given to the sinners in
regeneration (I JOHN
5:1; EPHESIANS 2:8-9).
Faith traces its very existence, cause, reason and purpose to be
all of grace (I
CORINTHIANS 15:10).
True saving faith when it is given to the sinner quickly
recognizes that it is the gift of God and glorifies Him alone
(PSALM
115:1; PHILIPPIANS
1:29; TITUS
1:1).
2).
“To the end the promise might be sure to
all the seed.”
If
salvation were determined and dependent upon the works of the sinner
it could never be sure to anyone (JOHN
3:19). Who could produce and continue in perfect righteousness
by the efforts of the flesh? God says that our best efforts at
righteousness are nothing but sinful, stinking rags (ISAIAH
64:6).
However, because salvation is totally determined, accomplished and dependent upon the excellent, perfect person and priestly work of the Lord Jesus Christ it is certain and sure to all of God’s elect (II TIMOTHY 2:19). Christ Jesus did provide for His sheep, EVERLASTING RIGHTEOUSNESS and REDEMPTION (PSALM 57:2; I CORINTHIANS 1:30). Therefore, the promise and certainty of salvation must be sure (HEBREWS 2:17; HEBREWS 9:12).
However, because salvation is totally determined, accomplished and dependent upon the excellent, perfect person and priestly work of the Lord Jesus Christ it is certain and sure to all of God’s elect (II TIMOTHY 2:19). Christ Jesus did provide for His sheep, EVERLASTING RIGHTEOUSNESS and REDEMPTION (PSALM 57:2; I CORINTHIANS 1:30). Therefore, the promise and certainty of salvation must be sure (HEBREWS 2:17; HEBREWS 9:12).
“Thanks
be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ”
(I CORINTHIANS
15:57).
-Gospel
report by preacher Tom Harding
Zebulon
Grace church of Pikeville, Kentucky USA
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