Galatians 3:26 and I John 3:2: “Ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus.” “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.”
In Hebrews 9:26, we learn first, that Christ “put away sin by the sacrifice of Himself.” This is the fact. This is Divine truth. Christ entered heaven by His own blood, and thereby obtained eternal redemption (Hebrews 9:12). Christ suffered once, the Just for the unjust, that he might brought us to God (I Peter 3:18). He offered “one sacrifice for sins.” Christ, on the cross, cried “it is finished” (John 19:30). Then and there He made peace through the blood of His cross, to reconcile sinners to God (Colossians 1:20, 21).
By virtue of the Finished work of Christ for salvation, these precious truths are now made available in Christ for all: Reconciliation (2 Cor. 5:18-20), Forgiveness (Col. 1:14; Eph. 1:7), Redemption (Rom. 3:24), Justification (Rom. 4:25), Sanctification (Heb. 1 Cor. 1:30), Propitiation (Rom. 3:25), Righteousness (Rom. 3:22).
1. The FACT of Salvation
Is that all the work that needs to be done for the sinner’s salvation Christ did and is doing, together with God the Father, and God the Holy Spirit. Christ’s work was, and is, a perfect and all sufficient redemptive work: wholly acceptable to God.
-
The fact of salvation is the Gospel of Christ – 1 Cor. 15:1-4
-
The Gospel is the word of truth – Ephesians 1:13
-
The Gospel came in word, in power, in the Holy Ghost, in much assurance (I Thess. 1:5)
-
The Gospel is the power of God unto salvation (Rom. 1:16)
-
The Gospel contains the righteousness of God (Rom. 1:17)
The Gospel must be communicated through Preaching (1 Cor. 15:1; Rom. 10:14; 1 Cor. 1:21). The Gospel must be Heard (Eph. 1:13)
2. The FAITH of Salvation.
“By grace are ye saved through faith.” (Ephesians 2:8, 9). Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and be saved. (Acts 16:31). Note carefully Romans 4:5:, by believing on the Justifier, the sinner’s faith is counted for righteousness. This is good news. The word “believe” is used 100 times in the Gospel of John. Christ said, “Believe on Me and have eternal life.” (John 6:47).
Faith comes by hearing the word of God (Romans 10:17). And the only right response to the truth of the Gospel is faith or believing (1 Thess. 2:13).
-
Eph. 1:13 – In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise,
-
Romans 1:16 – For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth;
-
Rom. 3:22 – Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe:
-
Rom. 10:4 – For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to every one that believeth.
-
Romans 10:10 – For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness;
-
1 Cor. 1:21 – it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe.
What about Repentance?
Salvation is not “believe and repent.” About six times these two conditions are thus joined in the Scriptures which are addressed to the unsaved in this dispensation, and for obvious reasons. Over against this, it should be considered that believe, or faith, is used, apart from the word repentance, no less than 150 times; the Gospel by John which was written that men might be saved, does not use repentance in any form of the word; and the Book of Romans, which was written to unfold the whole doctrine of salvation, like the Gospel by John, does not once condition salvation on repentance, or anything other than believing.
Repentance is never excluded from the terms of salvation; it is included as an essential part of believing. There is no Scriptural warrant for the grace-confusing practice of some who insist that repentance and believing are separate obligations to be imposed on the unsaved. It is impossible for a person to believe who does not repent. In believing, he will experience that change of mind which turns from all else unto CHRIST as the Object of trust.
Repentance in 2 Timothy 2:25, denotes acknowledging of the truth. Thus, believing and repentance happens simultaneously. One cannot genuinely trust or believe the truth without abandoning the contrary principle against the referent or object. As you believe the truth you have repented at the same time of unbelief with regards to the truth.
Acts 20:21 – “Testifying both to the Jews, and also to the Greeks, repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ.
Salvation happens instantaneously upon the believing sinner (Acts 16:31; Rom. 1:16; 1 Cor. 1:21; Romans 4:4-5, Eph. 1:13)
3. The FRUIT of Salvation.
The fruit is Good works!
Ephesians 2:10
“For we are His (God’s) workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.”
John 15:8:
“Herein is My Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be My disciples.” A Christian is a fruit-bearing branch abiding in the Vine, “Christ”.
Titus 2:14 – Zealous of every good work!
Col. 1:10 – Fruitful in every good work
Godly Virtues!
Love , joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance, knowledge, patience, godliness, brotherly kindness, charity, holiness, righteousness, goodness (Gal. 5:21-22; 2 Peter 1:5-7; 2 Cor. 9:10; Eph. 5:9; Phil. 1:11).
We are not saved because we bear fruit: but every believer should bear fruit because he is saved by trusting and resting in the perfect redemptive work of the Lamb of God, Who beareth away the sin of the world.
4. The FEELING of Salvation
Salvation in Christ are never subject to human experience. They are taken by faith, and joyous appreciation may come as a result of believing.
-
Joy – Romans 15:13
-
Peace – Phil. 4:6
-
Assurance – 1 Thess. 1:5; Col. 2:2
-
Comfort – 1 Thess. 4:18
-
Confidence and boldness – Eph. 3:12
Salvation is not by feeling, but by faith. Not by behavior, but by belief. Filled with joy and peace is a good feeling. When the believer believes God’s Word (I John 5:13 Acts 13:39—Colossians 3:1 to 4), and walks in the ordained good works of Ephesians 2:10, and worthy of the calling of Ephesians 5:1 and 2, he will have the feeling of assurance and joy (Acts 13:39 and I John 5:13).
5. The FUTURE of Salvation
Heaven’s Glory!!! This is a forever, never-ending future of bliss and glory!
“That in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace, in His kindness toward us, through Christ Jesus.” (Ephesians 2:7).
“Behold, I shew you a mystery; we shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed.” (I Corinthians 15:51).
Those who have died will be raised, and we which are alive shall be changed, and have bodies like Christ’s glorified body and appear with Him in glory (I John 3:2—Colossians 3:4—Philippians 3:20 and 21). There is a glorious never-ending FUTURE to Salvation.
Evangelist Rodgie Quirante
The Workman’s Treasure Study Series