Apprehension of Salvation
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Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.
I. Salvation must be pursued.
I. Salvation must be pursued.
A. Salvation is not a one time experience!
A. Salvation is not a one time experience!
1. It is a daily process!
1. It is a daily process!
2. Many preach, “Accept Jesus as your personal Savior.”
2. Many preach, “Accept Jesus as your personal Savior.”
3. Once you have done that then you are good for eternity.
3. Once you have done that then you are good for eternity.
4. Salvation MUST be pursued!
4. Salvation MUST be pursued!
B. Paul
B. Paul
1. Paul, who wrote more than half of the New Testament, stated that he had NOT yet apprehended complete Salvation!
1. Paul, who wrote more than half of the New Testament, stated that he had NOT yet apprehended complete Salvation!
i. He stated that he had to forget the past and reach for to the future, and doing so he “Pressed toward the mark!”
i. He stated that he had to forget the past and reach for to the future, and doing so he “Pressed toward the mark!”
ii. He stated in another place that it was a daily process!
ii. He stated in another place that it was a daily process!
I protest by your rejoicing which I have in Christ Jesus our Lord, I die daily.
a. Jesus also talked about this:
a. Jesus also talked about this:
And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me.
iii. Paul fought with his flesh CONSTANTLY!
iii. Paul fought with his flesh CONSTANTLY!
For we know that the law is spiritual: but I am carnal, sold under sin. For that which I do I allow not: for what I would, that do I not; but what I hate, that do I. If then I do that which I would not, I consent unto the law that it is good. Now then it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me. For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not. For the good that I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I do. Now if I do that I would not, it is no more I that do it, but sin that dwelleth in me. I find then a law, that, when I would do good, evil is present with me.
2. Paul gave us some insight of how to pursue.
2. Paul gave us some insight of how to pursue.
This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh. For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would. But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law. Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law. And they that are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts. If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. Let us not be desirous of vain glory, provoking one another, envying one another.
3. We should “hold fast” the profession of faith WITHOUT wavering!
3. We should “hold fast” the profession of faith WITHOUT wavering!
Whereof the Holy Ghost also is a witness to us: for after that he had said before, 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; And their sins and iniquities will I remember no more. Now where remission of these is, there is no more offering for sin.
Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus, By a new and living way, which he hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh; And having an high priest over the house of God; Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water. Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;) And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.
For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins, But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries.
4. We should be “crucified with Christ”.
4. We should be “crucified with Christ”.
I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.
i. We become crucified with Christ through repentance.
i. We become crucified with Christ through repentance.
What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein? Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life.
Now when they heard this, they were pricked in their heart, and said unto Peter and to the rest of the apostles, Men and brethren, what shall we do? Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.
ii. If I am going to live it should be to Christ, however, if I die out to my flesh I am gaining!
ii. If I am going to live it should be to Christ, however, if I die out to my flesh I am gaining!
For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.
C. A challenge to us as Christians!
C. A challenge to us as Christians!
Awake to righteousness, and sin not; for some have not the knowledge of God: I speak this to your shame.
Whereby are given unto us exceeding great and precious promises: that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust. And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge; And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness; And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity. For if these things be in you, and abound, they make you that ye shall neither be barren nor unfruitful in the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. But he that lacketh these things is blind, and cannot see afar off, and hath forgotten that he was purged from his old sins. Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall:
1. It is HIGH TIME that we awake out of sleep and apprehend our Salvation!
1. It is HIGH TIME that we awake out of sleep and apprehend our Salvation!
And that, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed. The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armour of light. Let us walk honestly, as in the day; not in rioting and drunkenness, not in chambering and wantonness, not in strife and envying. But put ye on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make not provision for the flesh, to fulfil the lusts thereof.
Buy the truth, and sell it not;
Also wisdom, and instruction, and understanding.