Salvation
The story is that all men are sinners and consequently the
objects of God's wrath, under God's condemnation. By a sinner we
mean essentially someone with the nature of sin, that is a
constitution or a make up and disposition to sin, whether yet
expressed or not. By this definition it is clear that it is not
our acts that make us sinners but our nature. Just as a chicken
is essentially a chicken in spite of such categorizations as
hens, layers, cocks, roosters, and whatever, so also a sinner is
essentially a sinner whether good or ill-mannered, religious or irreligious,
cultured or uncivilized, and whatever. Even if a monkey for
instance were never to behave like a monkey it would still
remain one by virtue of its nature, so also a sinner. It not our
doing that made us so but that of our ancestor Adam. By his willful
disobedience to God he brought upon his human nature this most
wicked and evil alteration. This unfortunately we all inherit
along with our humanity from conception, from the least to the greatest. And as a
baby rodent is not spared the judgment determined for its kind
for their destructiveness just because it is yet to do same so
also no man is spared the judgment of God for sin just because
he or she is yet to commit the acts. Ultimately every thing
shall prove true to its nature, no one can run away from
himself. A sinner, given the time, will prove true to his nature
and consequently God's condemnation. So even though we may admit
that some like children are yet innocent, no one is righteous.
Now appears the need for salvation. Salvation means, basically, deliverance from sin, its
consequences, fruit, and judgment. Sin here not
referring to the acts of unrighteousness and
ungodliness we commit but to that anti-righteousness disposition we
all have received down from Adam woven and knitted into
the fabric of our human nature by reason of his transgression and fall.
This ugly disposition, an evil mutation of sort, is the root of all the ungodliness and
unrighteousness we commit. The consequences of it are
evidenced in our vulnerability to disease, confusion,
disillusionment, fear, poverty, insecurity, etc. These are its
effect on us and our environment. Its fruit on the other hand
are its ungodly workings or motions in and through us. In other
words they are all acts regularly referred to as sin. Finally,
it judgment refers to the punishment prepared of God for
it which ultimately is everlasting torments in the Lake of fire.
Salvation is both an act and an experience. As an act it is not
ours but God's. This fact is clearly indicated in Jesus' words
on the matter to the popular Jewish teacher of his day known as Nicodemus,
as described in John 3: 3, where he says except a man be born
again he cannot see the kingdom of God. Here the analogy is
simple, though many still miss the point. That no man gave birth
or can give birth to himself is too evident. So by describing
salvation as a second birth the Lord was simply emphasizing the
need for an act other than one's to save one from sin. This
shows the futility of turning over a new leaf or changing one's behavior
as a means of achieving salvation as this is still one's own doing. Only God by His
Spirit can save a man from sin, its powers, and curses. This is
the first, and the sole cause of the other. A
changed life consequently becomes the product and not the cause.
As an experience it is to be received and submitted to by man
through faith and faith alone. It is given to all free through
Jesus Christ. By willing giving himself over to God's wrath even
when he was guiltless he paid the price for God to spare us the judgment
of sin at no injury to His righteousness and justice. This is
the truth and excellence that is in Christ above and beyond
religion and other professed ways of salvation. Certainly,
without the shedding of blood (loss of a guiltless life) there
is no remission of sins. For as no quality of attitudinal or
character transformation in a person can undo or change the fact of a
past murderous act so also can no amount of self good deeds undo even
the slightest transgression of God's law. We all must accept him
who died for us and receive his salvation free or reject him be
lost forever.
This is the justification: "He that believes on Him
(Christ) is not condemned" (John 3: 18)
This is the assurance: "For whosoever shall call upon the
name of the Lord shall be saved" (Rom.10: 13)
This is the first and fundamental step to experiencing the living
presence of Christ.
Call now (no formalities necessary), and experience living salvation.
He waits with open arms.
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