Salvation
Did You know 150,000 People Will Die Today?
The Bible states the vast majority of those people are entering Hell.
“Jesus answered and said unto him,
Verily, verily, I say unto thee, except a man be born again,
he cannot see the kingdom of God” (John 3:3).
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Few people have any idea about what it takes to get saved. Instead, it is now almost universally excepted that salvation is nothing more than an act of the human will, which any man is capable of performing at a time of his choosing: all that is needed is to bring before an unsaved person a few verses of Scripturewhich describe his lost condition, one or two which contain the word “believe”, and then a little persuasion for him to “accept Christ”, and the thing is done.And the awful thing is that so very, very few realize this is not salvation. It is a deceptive practice that will result in the person going to Hell. The deceived are blind to the fact that such a process is only the Devil’s drug to lull millions into a false peace. You can't be saved at a time of your choosing. You must position yourself to be saved at the time of God's choosing. Even though it is more difficult for some than others, don't give up. It is the most important thing in life. Salvation is not a religion, not living up to a creed, not a set of rituals, not joining a church or denomination. It's a new life just as real as the first received at birth. Our old nature is changed and we receive a new one. We receive a new heart, new desires, new ideas, and a new direction because of this new nature.This does not mean that we become sinless. With the exception of Jesus, everyone who lives, sins. Even though a saved person’s soul becomes sinless and remains that way under the protection of God, their carnal body and mind remain vulnerable to the evil desires of Satan. A saved person becomes more aware of sin and has a stronger desire not to sin. The term "born again" literally means "born from above" which means that no human on earth can merit heaven by any means except the grace of God. If you are a Catholic, the Bible nowhere elevates Mary to any position whereby she is a mediator between God and man, only Christ is:
“For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus;” (1 Tim 2:5).
For a clear presentation of the gospel click here
Freedom and God's Plan for your Salvation
God's Plan of Salvation
God’s Plan of Salvation
1) Hear the Word of God - Knowledge about Jesus, that he died so that you may be saved. None can come to Christ while they are ignorant about Him.
2) Conviction (Godly Sorrow) – feeling of guilt, sick of sin, of being alone and separated from God.
3) Drawing of Your Heart– by the Holy Spirit. “No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him” (John 6:44)
4) Humbling of Your Heart – complete submission, the subdued spirit of self-will, the desire to know God and to be forgiven from your sin of unbelief.)
5) Repentance– the hurt, regret and sorrow for sin.
6) Trusting in Jesus – with complete sincerity, loving Him with all your heart, willing to follow Him without reserve, surrendering your whole being and l
life to the claims of God upon them, and trusting that he will save you.
7) Forgiveness (Mercy) – the hurt and sorrow instantly is gone and replaced with a sense of security and happiness and knowledge that your sins have been forgiven.
Fraudulent Salvation
“Then Simon himself believed also: and when he was baptized, he continued with Philip” (Acts 8:13).
Philip took him to be a genuine Christian. However, later, the apostle Peter said to him,
“Thou hast neither part nor lot in this matter: for thy heart is not right in the sight of God…I perceive that thou art in the gall of bitterness, and in the bond of iniquity” (Acts 8:21-23).
Through Bible study, a person may believe all the truth of the Scripture and be more familiar with it than many genuine Christians. A person may be able to recite scripture after scripture and may be able to present a thorough understand of the scripture. But, the understanding of the scripture and the revealing of its true meaning comes from God through prayer. And, that only comes after the person has been saved. At no point does Satan use his cunning and power more tenaciously, and more successfully, than in getting people to believe that they have been saved when they have not.
With many people, it is because they are willing for Christ to save them from Hell, but are not willing for Him to save them from self. They want to be delivered from the wrath to come, but they wish to retain their self-will and self-pleasing. No one can read the New Testament attentively without discovering that there is a “believing” in Christ, which does not save.
(John 8:30) “As He spake these words, many believed on Him,”. Note it does not state “many believed in Him,” but “many believed on Him.”
And, you don’t have to read much farther on in the chapter to discover that those very people were unregenerate and unsaved souls. “I know that ye are Abraham's seed; but ye seek to kill me, because my word hath no place in you.”
(John 8:37)
In John 8:44 we find the Lord telling these very “believers” that they were of their father the Devil; and in John 8:59 we find them taking up stones to cast at Him. This has presented a real difficulty unto some; yet it ought not. They crafted their own difficulty, by supposing
that faith in Christ necessarily saves. It does not.
There is a faith in Christ, which does not save:
· Those who believe in Christ with only their mind.
· Those who believe in Christ with their mind and feel they love Christ with their heart, but have not met the conditions required for salvation.
There is no such thing as a saving faith in Christ where there is no real love for Him, and by “real love,” we mean a love which is evidenced by obedience.
“Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you” (John 15:14).
As unbelief is a form of rebellion, so saving faith is a complete subjection to God: hence we read of “faith obedience” (Romans 16:26).
However, there is a faith in Christ, which does save:
Those who have, while under conviction and being drawn by the Holy Spirit, humbled their heart, repented, and completely trusted Christ and surrendered their whole being and life to the claims of God upon them. That is a saving faith.
The Difficulty in Getting Saved
Jesus did not teach that saving faith was a simple matter - far from it. Instead of declaring that the saving of the soul was an easy thing, which many would participate in He said:“Enter ye in at the strait gate; for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there by which go in thereat:because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it”
(Matt 7:13-14). The only path which leads to Heaven is a hard and laborious one:“We must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God”
(Acts 14:22) An entrance into that path calls for the utmost endeavors of the soul:“Strive to enter in at the strait gate: for many, I say unto you, will seek to enter in, and shall not be able. When once the master of the houseis risen up, and hath shut to the door, and ye begin to stand without, and to knock at the door, saying, Lord, Lord, open unto us; and he shallanswer and say unto you, I know you not whence ye are: ” (Luke 13:24-25). The demands of God that He should be loved with all the heart: “But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation (behavior)” (1Peter 1:15) The difficulty isn’t getting saved; it is getting your heart into a position whereby you can get saved. Salvation - All Who Seek, Will Not Find
Does this mean that all who have, with their lips, cried unto the Lord, who have in the name of Christ, sought God to have mercy on them, been saved by Him? No. But doesn’t Romans 10:13 say what it means? Certainly it does, but no verse of Scripture yields its meaning to lazy people. Christ Himself tells us that there are many who call Him “Lord,” to whom He will say “Depart from me”: (Romans 10:13) "For whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved."“Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity. “
(Matthew 7:21-23). If nothing more than the fear of death or horror of Hell prompts the sinner to call upon the Lord, he might just as well call upon the trees. The Almighty is not at the beck and call of anyone, who, when he is terrified, calls for mercy.
A person must have knowledge about Jesus, they must be under conviction, and the Holy Spirit must be drawing the person before they can be saved. Evidence of Salvation Some say:When God imparts salvation to a soul, radical and real effects will follow.
That one cannot be raised from the dead without there being a consequent walking in newness of life.
One cannot be the subject of a miracle of grace being wrought in the heart without a noticeable change being apparent to all who know him.
Where a supernatural root has been implanted, supernatural fruit must issue there from.
Is it possible for a saved child of God to live a wicked life? Absolutely, sinless perfection is not attainable in this life. Neither is the flesh eradicated or even purified from sin. Nevertheless, there is a yearning after perfection, there is a spirit resisting the flesh, there is a striving against sin.
“A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit.”(Matt. 7:18)
A Christian is to continue as they began. They are to “come to Christ” not once and for all, but frequently, daily. They should stay in a prayerful state all of their waking hours. God is the only One who can minister to their needs, and to Him they must constantly turn for the supply of them.
Obstacles to Getting Saved There are not many who get saved, for God’s “flock” is but a “little” one: “Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom.” (Luke 12:32).
The vast majority of professing Christians claim that they found “coming to Christ” a very simple matter. But, that is not the case:
“Enter ye in at the strait gate; for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there by which go in thereat: because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.”
(Matt 7:13-14)
The only path which leads to Heaven is a hard and laborious one:
“We must through much tribulation enter into the kingdom of God”
(Acts 14:22)
So many souls have been deceived into thinking that a going forward to a “mourner’s bench” or the taking of some preacher’s hand, is the same thing as coming to Christ.
Coming to Christ is the turning of our back upon the world, and a turning unto Him as our only Hope. It is the abandoning of every idol and of all other dependencies. The heart goes out to Him in loving submission and trustful confidence. It is the willful surrendering to Him as Lord, ready to accept His yoke, take up the cross, and follow him without reserve.
To “come to Christ” is the turning of the whole soul unto Christ. It is the mind, heart, and will being supernaturally drawn to Him, so as to trust, love, and serve Him.
Salvation Thorough Knowledge
Knowledge of Christ is essential. None can come to Christ while they are ignorant about Him.
This knowledge of Christ comes to the mind from the Holy Scriptures.
A head-knowledge about Christ is very frequently mistaken for a heart-acquaintance with Him. You may be a diligent student of the
New Testament, be thoroughly acquainted with the Old Testament types and prophecies, believe all that the Scriptures say concerning Christ, and earnestly teach them to others, and yet be yourself a stranger to Him spiritually.
There must be a spiritual and supernatural knowledge of Christ imparted by the Holy Spirit. No unsaved person ever comes to Christ until the Holy Spirit first comes to him!
How is this spiritual knowledge to be known? By its effects. The natural man may know the truth of the things of God, but not the things themselves. He may thoroughly understand the Scriptures in the letter of them, but not in their spirit. But one cannot truly talk of honey and vinegar, who never tasted them. There have been thousands of ministers who have accurate notions of spiritual things, but have no true revealing of them.
“Desiring to be teachers of the law; understanding neither what they say, nor whereof they affirm.” (1Timothy 1:7).
Salvation Through Our Will
The Holy Spirit must be dealing with the person and making them feel guilty (convicted) of their sins. Therefore “Godly Sorrow” is a feeling of guilt, sick of sin, of being alone and separated from God. A person does not have the ability to bring this feeling upon themselves. “Godly Sorrow” can only come from the Holy Spirit. A foolish person can suppress this feeling, ignore it, and it will go away.
“No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him” (John 6:44)
You cannot be saved at the time and place of your choosing.
The Spirit;
Causes the unsaved person to perceive his deep need for Christ.
The Spirit creates in the heart a desire after Christ, and therefore making him sick of sin and in love with holiness.
The awakened and enlightened soul has been given to see the glory and excellency of Christ.
Signs of Conviction May Not Be Outwardly Noticeable
How many mistake the stirring of the emotions for the Spirit’s quickening of the affections. If people weep under the preaching of the Word, superficial observers are greatly encouraged, and if they go forward to the “mourners’ bench” and sob and wail over their sins, This is regarded as a sure sign that God has savingly convicted them. Perhaps it is and perhaps it isn’t. But a supernatural work of Divine grace deeper than that. Tears are but on the surface, and are a matter of temperamental constitution – even in nature, some of those who feel things the most give the least outward sign of it. It is the weeping of the heart, which God requires; it is a Godly sorrow for sin, which breaks its reigning power over the soul that evidences regeneration.
How many mistake a false peace for a true one. Yes, and nineteen times out of twenty, that “peace” is nothing but Satan’s opiate, drugging his conscience and chloroforming him into Hell.
Many mistake self-confidence for spiritual assurance.
The Horror of Hell
Hell is not only for those who are Child Molesters, Adulterers, Thieves, or Mass Murderers like Hitler. But Hell contains
many who were:
People we love - family, friends, and neighbors.
People who didn’t lie or steal.
People who never harmed anyone.
People who were good wives, husbands, mothers, fathers, sisters, and brothers.
People who gave to Charities.
People who helped others.
People who routinely attended Church on Sunday.
People who studied their Bible and could quote scripture after scripture.
People who testified and praised God.
People who donated to the Church offering regularly.
People who believed in God with their mind and felt they loved Christ with their heart.
People with the best intentions to find time to get saved before they died.
They’re opportunity has passed and they will never have another. Either time ran out or they crafted their own salvation, by supposing that faith in Christ necessarily saves. Either way, they never met the conditions required for salvation. They were willing for Christ to save them from Hell, but were not willing for Him to save them from self. They wanted to be delivered from the wrath to come, but they wished to retain their self-will and self-pleasing. Those who, while under conviction and being drawn by the Holy Spirit, humbled their heart, repented, and completely trusted Christ and surrendered their whole being and life to the claims of God upon them, escaped the horror of Hell.
Disproving Loosing your Salvation
Those who believe salvation can be lost, often ask an insightful question about the relationship between salvation and faith. The question goes something like this: If our salvation is gained through believing in Christ, doesn't it make sense that salvation can be lost if we quit believing?
To answer this question, we must see what saves us. Paul tells us that we are saved by grace (Eph. 2:8-9). God came up with a plan and carried it out through Christ. We didn't take part in it: we didn't deserve any part of it. It was grace from start to finish. We are saved by grace through faith. "Through faith" is important, but often misunderstood. Faith was the agent whereby God was able to apply His grace to the life of the sinner. Faith is simply the way we say yes to God's free gift of eternal life. Faith and salvation are not one and the same any more than a gift and the hand that receives it are the same. Salvation stands independently of faith.
Consequently, God does not require a constant attitude of faith in order to be saved---only an act of faith in Christ. You and I are not saved because we have enduring faith. We are saved because at a moment in time, while under conviction, we repented of our sins with all of our heart and trusted Jesus. Notice how Paul ends (Ephesians 2:8-9): "It is a gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast."
Salvation, Paul says is a gift. God has a no-return policy. Christ came to seek and to save the lost. Again, “saving faith” is not necessarily a sustained attitude of gratefulness for God's gift. It is the singular moment in time when God forgives our sin of unbelief.
Eternal life is received by grace through faith; it is a once-and for-all transaction that can never be undone. Because of the nature of God's grace, once you become a Christian, you are always a Christian. You can't lose what you don't own - Our salvation is a gift from God. Not a gift that He forced on us, but a gift resulting from believing in Him. God gave us the free will to decide whether we wanted to be saved or not, why would He then take that free will away?
Conversion Accounts in the Bible
|
David (King)
Believed – Psalms 116:4 Repented – Psalms 116:5 Pentecost day of Believed - Acts 2:37 Repented - Acts 2:38-40 Baptized - Acts 2:41 Samaria Believed - Acts 8:12 Repentance implied by their change Baptized - Acts 8:12 Eunuch from Ethiopia Believed - Acts 8:37 Repentance implied by his change Baptized - Acts 8:38 Saul of Tarsus - later Paul, the apostle Believed - Acts 9:6; 2 Tim. 1:12 Baptized - Acts 9:18; Acts 9:22 |
Cornelius.
Believed - Rom. 10:17 Repented - Acts 10:44-45 Baptized - Acts 10:47-48 Lydia.Believed - Acts 16:14; Rom. 10:17 Repentance implied by her change Baptized - Acts 16:15 Jailer in Philippi Believed - Acts 16:31 Repentance implied change Baptized - Acts 16:33 The twelve at Ephesus Believed - Acts 19:4 Repentance shown by change Baptized - Acts 19:5 The Corinthians Believed - Acts 18:8 Repentance shown by change Baptized - Acts 18:8 |
