What does Salvation Give Us?
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A God we can Trust
A God we can Trust
If I am saved, it is because of my trust in the God who provided my salvation.
God possesses an unimpeachable character (cannot lie); limitless capacity (CAN supply what is needed); boundless love (will not withhold any good thing).
A basic element in the Gospel message of salvation is that God has made a way for man to regain what was lost in Eden. Col 3:9-11; 2 Pet. 1:3-4
The effect of the gospel, through redemption and repentance, is to lead man back to the “image of God”. Col 3:9-11 ; 2 Pet. 1:3-4
Do not lie to one another, since you have put off the old man with his deeds, and have put on the new man who is renewed in knowledge according to the image of Him who created him, where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcised nor uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave nor free, but Christ is all and in all.
as His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him who called us by glory and virtue, by which have been given to us exceedingly great and precious promises, that through these you may be partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust.
The degree to which we become involved in the pursuit of the divine image will be a measure of our commitment to our own well-being, and to applying the scriptures to the demands it makes upon our daily lives in seeking to become like God.
The path God took was “down”. Php 2:8-11 ; Heb 5:8-9
Not one of asserting worth or power, but proving himself to be completely HUMBLE. Php 2:8-11 ; Heb 5:8-9
And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross. Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
though He was a Son, yet He learned obedience by the things which He suffered. And having been perfected, He became the author of eternal salvation to all who obey Him,
For unto us a Child is born,
Unto us a Son is given;
And the government will be upon His shoulder.
And His name will be called
Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God,
Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
Of the increase of His government and peace
There will be no end,
Upon the throne of David and over His kingdom,
To order it and establish it with judgment and justice
From that time forward, even forever.
The zeal of the Lord of hosts will perform this.
The selfless nature of Jesus is beyond unique! Ps. 119:172
It is hard for us to even conceive of a kingdom (of which we are a part) where the king never makes a selfish or wrong move, never fails to make the right decision, never wavers in adhering to a high standard of integrity and judgment. Yet such is the nature of our KING!
As the Psalmist says in Ps. 119:172
My tongue shall speak of Your word,
For all Your commandments are righteousness.
Jesus is the “Savior” of His subjects. Gal. 2:20; Matt. 1:21; Rev. 22:17
Both in precept and in practice, it is clear that our King is devoted to His subjects.
As Paul says in Gal 2:20 – “and gave Himself FOR ME”....
From the outset, WE were on His mind, and the entire plan involved dealing with the sin that was so hurtful to the ones He loved so much.
When the angel spoke to Joseph in Matt 1, he commanded him to call the child “Jesus, for He will SAVE His people from their sins.” (Matt 1:21 )
And she will bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins.”
Again, what earthly king would be ENTIRELY devoted to His people, with never a thought for himself?
It cost Him His life, but Jesus was willing to 19 give it, in order to bring SALVATION (forgiveness of our sins).
For those who otherwise could only dream of reconciliation with God, He made it possible, and now “whosoever will may come.” (Rev 22:17)
God to Job: “Trust me.” Job 42:1-6
In the O.T., Job wanted assurance from God to explain HIS doubts; God’s answer was “you can TRUST ME” (no details). Brethren are like Job beginning his journey thru suffering, they need to come to the end of it with him. Job 42:1-6
Then Job answered the Lord and said:
“I know that You can do everything,
And that no purpose of Yours can be withheld from You.
You asked, ‘Who is this who hides counsel without knowledge?’
Therefore I have uttered what I did not understand,
Things too wonderful for me, which I did not know.
Listen, please, and let me speak;
You said, ‘I will question you, and you shall answer Me.’
“I have heard of You by the hearing of the ear,
But now my eye sees You.
Therefore I abhor myself,
And repent in dust and ashes.”
Our assurances from God:
He is not lenient toward weakness, ignorance, or sincerity.
He spent the entire Bible teaching and showing His expectation of complete obedience, and His rejection of failure.
He turns “weakness” into strength. 2 Cor 12:9-10
And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ’s sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
He turns “ignorance” into knowledge Jas 1:5-8; 2 Tim 2:15 ; 3:16,17
Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
He perfects “sincerity” through obedience James 2:21-24
Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered Isaac his son on the altar? Do you see that faith was working together with his works, and by works faith was made perfect? And the Scripture was fulfilled which says, “Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.” And he was called the friend of God. You see then that a man is justified by works, and not by faith only.
If these were acceptable, why would He do so much to change them?
In none of the above instances is there any indication in His expressed will that He will accept man in spite of failing! For us to expect such is to wave the white flag regarding a successful life.
His message instead is: “You CAN!” Phil 4:13 ; 1 Cor 10:13; 2 Cor 8:12
I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.
For if there is first a willing mind, it is accepted according to what one has, and not according to what he does not have.
DO WE BELIEVE HIM? If we “can”, what indication do we have that He will accept those who WONT? (Or, deny that we “can” – what would THAT say about our faith in God?) If we say, “we CAN’T”, when He says we can, how do you imagine that sits with Him?
A King that is Perfect
A King that is Perfect
Jesus is the “High Priest” of His people. Heb 7:22-28
In the Old Testament, God prepared us for this by providing the Aaronic priesthood, which in many ways was typical of the Christ who was to come.
Different: As to the duration of His priesthood – forever! As to the sacrifice offered – himself!
Jesus serves as “mediator” betweeen God and man. 1 Tim 2:5
For there is one God and one Mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus,
Man’s sin has caused enmity between God and man – the two parties are alienated from each other, and God initiated the process by which man could be reconciled back to Him.
The One chosen, Jesus, stands equally between, being at the same time both God AND man, sharing in both aspects, able to make the proper appeal to man through His humanity, and to God through His Deity.
Jesus serves as man’s “advocate”. 1 Jn 2:1
My little children, these things I write to you, so that you may not sin. And if anyone sins, we have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous.
“Advocate” is a legal term referring to the lawyer for the defense.
Figuratively speaking, Jesus “pleads our cause”, maintaining that our sins have been fully taken care of, and so we should not be charged for them.
Jesus is the “explanation” of God for us. Jn. 14:7-10
“If you had known Me, you would have known My Father also; and from now on you know Him and have seen Him.”
Philip said to Him, “Lord, show us the Father, and it is sufficient for us.”
Jesus said to him, “Have I been with you so long, and yet you have not known Me, Philip? He who has seen Me has seen the Father; so how can you say, ‘Show us the Father’? Do you not believe that I am in the Father, and the Father in Me? The words that I speak to you I do not speak on My own authority; but the Father who dwells in Me does the works.
As part of His relationship with man in the kingdom, God WANTED man to truly know Him.
Jesus came to earth to portray God. His actions are the actions of God. His thoughts are the thoughts of God. His response to circumstances are those of God.
Thus, in this New Covenant, “all shall know Him, from the least to the greatest..” (Heb 8:8-13)
Jesus is the pattern for us to follow. 1 Pet 2:21
For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that you should follow His steps:
In becoming man, Jesus lived the perfect human life, never tainted with sin, always true and right.
In doing so, He demonstrated to mankind the way life should be lived, and our highest ambition should be to conduct ourselves as He did.
In every circumstance, we should ask, “what would Jesus do”? By proper preparation and study, we can know this–and we should then conform to His way.
Jesus will be our judge. Acts 17:30-31 ; 2 Cor 5:10
Truly, these times of ignorance God overlooked, but now commands all men everywhere to repent, because He has appointed a day on which He will judge the world in righteousness by the Man whom He has ordained. He has given assurance of this to all by raising Him from the dead.”
It should be obvious to us all that, in God’s perfect arrangement, the one who will be our judge will know the most about us, will have interacted so often with us, and is able to say that he has endured the same circumstances as have we.
It won’t be possible for us to say, “you don’t understand”, because He does!
For there is one God and one Mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus,
Clear Fundamentals that inform our Worldview
Clear Fundamentals that inform our Worldview
Man is made to exist and live in the image of God (Gen 1:26-27)
Then God said, “Let Us make man in Our image, according to Our likeness; let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, over the birds of the air, and over the cattle, over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.” So God created man in His own image; in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them.
God wanted a “people” for Himself – Ex 19:3-7; Ps 100:3; 1 Pet 2:5-9
And Moses went up to God, and the Lord called to him from the mountain, saying, “Thus you shall say to the house of Jacob, and tell the children of Israel: ‘You have seen what I did to the Egyptians, and how I bore you on eagles’ wings and brought you to Myself. Now therefore, if you will indeed obey My voice and keep My covenant, then you shall be a special treasure to Me above all people; for all the earth is Mine. And you shall be to Me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.’ These are the words which you shall speak to the children of Israel.”
So Moses came and called for the elders of the people, and laid before them all these words which the Lord commanded him.
Know that the Lord, He is God;
It is He who has made us, and not we ourselves;
We are His people and the sheep of His pasture.
you also, as living stones, are being built up a spiritual house, a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. Therefore it is also contained in the Scripture,
“Behold, I lay in Zion
A chief cornerstone, elect, precious,
And he who believes on Him will by no means be put to shame.”
Therefore, to you who believe, He is precious; but to those who are disobedient,
“The stone which the builders rejected
Has become the chief cornerstone,”
and
“A stone of stumbling
And a rock of offense.”
They stumble, being disobedient to the word, to which they also were appointed.
But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light;
He intended for His people to serve as subjects in His kingdom. Matt 5:1-12 ; Col 1:13-14
And seeing the multitudes, He went up on a mountain, and when He was seated His disciples came to Him. Then He opened His mouth and taught them, saying:
“Blessed are the poor in spirit,
For theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Blessed are those who mourn,
For they shall be comforted.
Blessed are the meek,
For they shall inherit the earth.
Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness,
For they shall be filled.
Blessed are the merciful,
For they shall obtain mercy.
Blessed are the pure in heart,
For they shall see God.
Blessed are the peacemakers,
For they shall be called sons of God.
Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake,
For theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
“Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake. Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you.
He has delivered us from the power of darkness and conveyed us into the kingdom of the Son of His love, in whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins.
He is to be their “lord”
His word must guide them – Jn 12:48-49
To accept Him as “lord”, we must obey Him – Luke 6:46
He has only one kingdom (identified with the church in the N.T. – Matt 16:19 , et al)
And I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.”
One cannot be saved outside the kingdom – John 3:3-5
Jesus answered and said to him, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.”
Nicodemus said to Him, “How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother’s womb and be born?”
Jesus answered, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God.
The Goal of a Changed Heart
The Goal of a Changed Heart
A Heart that completely obeys; nothing “relative”: Matt 7:21,24-28; Jn 12:48; Luke 6:46; Rom 6:17; 2 Cor 10:4-5
For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds, casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ,
A Heart that recognizes the divine response to sin:
Adam and Eve -ignorance; Nadab and Abihu - profaning; Uzzah – sincere “exemption”; young prophet – misunderstanding. They all died as a result.
1 Cor 10:11 ; Rom 15:4
Now all these things happened to them as examples, and they were written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the ages have come.
For whatever things were written before were written for our learning, that we through the patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope.
He will punish every transgression. Being faithful for a number of years is not enough.Heb 2:1-3; 10:26-31; Ezek 33:12
“Therefore you, O son of man, say to the children of your people: ‘The righteousness of the righteous man shall not deliver him in the day of his transgression; as for the wickedness of the wicked, he shall not fall because of it in the day that he turns from his wickedness; nor shall the righteous be able to live because of his righteousness in the day that he sins.’
A Heart that believes His promises: Heb 8:10-12; 1 Jn 1:9
If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
HE KNOWS WE ARE IMPERFECT IN BOTH KNOWLEDGE AND ACTIONS – 1 John 1:7-10; 2 Pet 3:18
but grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
To Him be the glory both now and forever. Amen.
HE PROMISES HE WILL NOT EXPECT MORE OF US THAN WE ARE ABLE TO GIVE – 2 Cor 8:12; 1 Cor 10:13
HE PROMISES ENLIGHTENMENT IN THE CASE OF IGNORANCE – Jno 7:17 ; Jas 1:5-8; Mt 7:1-11
If anyone wills to do His will, he shall know concerning the doctrine, whether it is from God or whether I speak on My own authority.
HE ASKS US TO TRUST HIM – 2 Cor 5:7; Jno 20:29
Jesus said to him, “Thomas, because you have seen Me, you have believed. Blessed are those who have not seen and yet have believed.”
A Heart that knows that God has given us all we need.
WHO HAS MORE “FAITH”? The one who accepts the above, or the one “asking for a sign”?
A Path Filled with Hope
A Path Filled with Hope
The truth concerning Hope - 1 Thess. 4:13-14
Satan plants doubt, encourages selfishness, generates bitterness, develops hate, promises independence, etc. God establishes faith, promotes love, expects submission, encourages optimism, and offers HOPE…
But I do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning those who have fallen asleep, lest you sorrow as others who have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who sleep in Jesus.
(with the world – atheists and naturalists, those who generally discount a future existence – nothing leads them to look beyond earthly life for more interaction with those they love; to those who understand, their “hope” is generated by what they know of one’s relationship with God. Hope in the afterlife is limited to those who “sleep in Jesus”.)
Hope is one of three “abiding graces”
And now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love.
It is said that “faith will be lost in sight; hope will become reality; but love will never end”.
Hope faces REALITY.
Earthly life ends, and that ALL will inhabit eternity
The end of earthly life is not the end of conscious life.
Self –knowledge and self – determination offers no hope.
Hope is authenticated by the RESURRECTION. 1 Pet 1:3; Rom 1:1-4
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead,
Paul, a bondservant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated to the gospel of God which He promised before through His prophets in the Holy Scriptures, concerning His Son Jesus Christ our Lord, who was born of the seed of David according to the flesh, and declared to be the Son of God with power according to the Spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead.
Hope is based on REASON. 1 Pet 3:15
But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear;
Real hope is not a “guess”…it is sober truth based on REASON…We can describe it, what gives us reason to have it, and appeal to divine faithfulness that gives us right to expect it.
Hope promotes ultimate salvation. 1 Jn 3:2-3
Beloved, now we are children of God; and it has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when He is revealed, we shall be like Him, for we shall see Him as He is. And everyone who has this hope in Him purifies himself, just as He is pure.