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In Salvation -- Part I, we
learned that we are all Abraham's seed and heirs according to the
promise of God. We received this by the grace and mercy of God through
adoption into His dear family.
In Salvation -- Part II,
we learned of some of the blessings we can expect as a result of
salvation and also that those blessings are dependent upon our faith in
and obedience to God.
In the final part,
Salvation -- Part III, We will learn more of the results of salvation.
Salvation is a complete and total gift of God. It covers the smallest
detail of our lives and serves as our guide by the Holy Spirit within
us. The first event that occurs upon salvation of a person is complete
forgiveness of sin.
I Jn 1:9
9 If we confess our sins,
he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from
all unrighteousness.
(KJV)
Notice that His word says
He will cleanse us from ALL unrighteousness. Many Christians mentally
know this but have a hard time accepting it. Our human nature keeps
reminding us of our sins, failures and short comings. We must put those
behind by faith in what God has told us. He said He will cleanse us from
all unrighteousness. Not only cleanse us but also forget that we ever
sinned!
Heb 10:16-17
6 This is the covenant
that I will make with them after those days, saith the Lord, I will put
my laws into their hearts, and in their minds will I write them;
17 And their sins and
iniquities will I remember no more.
(KJV)
When God looks at the
Christian, He doesn't see sin and wickedness. He doesn't see our
failures. He sees a cleansed and righteous people. His word says that we
are the righteousness of God in Christ Jesus.
2 Cor 5:19-21
19 To wit, that God was in
Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their
trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of
reconciliation.
20 Now then we are
ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you
in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God.
21 For he hath made him to
be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness
of God in him.
(KJV)
I think it's time we
started acting like we are the righteousness of God. Our mission in life
is to spread the Gospel of Jesus to the whole world and let everyone
know the peace and joy they can have by salvation in Christ.
Sanctification is the second event that occurs as a part of salvation.
God sanctifies His children to do his work. Nelson's Bible dictionary
has the following to say about sanctification:
SANCTIFICATION
The process of God's grace
by which the believer is separated from sin and becomes dedicated to
God's righteousness. Accomplished by the Word of God <John 17:7> and the
Holy Spirit <Rom. 8:3-4>, sanctification results in holiness, or
purification from the guilt and power of sin.
(from Nelson's Illustrated
Bible Dictionary)
(Copyright (C) 1986,
Thomas Nelson Publishers)
God's salvation makes us
free from the guilt and power of sin! We no longer have to bear that
burden of guilt. Praise God, there is no more condemnation for us who
are in Christ.
Rom 8:1-2
1 There is therefore now
no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after
the flesh, but after the Spirit.
2 For the law of the
Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and
death.
(KJV)
Salvation means complete
and total freedom from sin and the consequences that result from it.
Finally, Salvation results in a regeneration for the believer. A
regeneration of the spirit as it is reconciled to God. This is what God
intended from the beginning. We were created to fellowship with God face
to face. God wanted some one that would CHOOSE to love Him and serve
Him. That is why He created us with freedom of choice. God has thousands
upon thousands of angels that glorify Him continually, but they were not
created with the choice to do so. Our love and service are cherished by
God simply because we have chosen to do it for Him. When we choose to
serve God and accept His salvation, we are regenerated in the spirit,
quickened to life in His service.
Eph 2:1-6
1 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;)
6 And hath raised us up
together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus:
(KJV)
Glory be to God forever
for His love toward us and the grace and mercy that He shows us daily.
Diligently seek His word and walk in the fullness of His blessed
salvation. |
