Introduction To Salvation

 

Man's State, and Need For Salvation:

Salvation is the act of God of saving humanity from the penalty of eternal punishment for his sin. Salvation is just one part of the plan of Redemption. Redemption includes salvation, and the complete restoration of humanity. Many ask why would God send people to hell that are "good people," regardless of their "religion." While that is a natural question, I want to explain why, when you understand the nature of humanities condition it makes sense. My hope is, after explaining the need of man's salvation you will appreciate God's means and method of God giving it, as it comes at a severe cost.

 

First and foremost, when Adam and Eve chose to believe Satan's lie, the consequence was "death." Satan said "they would not die," and when they chose to believe a lie over God's truth, that disobedience was a fatal sin. They died "spiritually" immediately, the natural death followed much later. When they died spiritually, they lost the "nature of God" within them (i.e. pure innocence, them mind of God in thought, etc), and then in turn received a "sinful nature." That "sinful nature" was Satan's nature, which made them, consequently, the "Children of the devil" (John 8:44, Acts 13:10, 1 John 3:10), and consequently the objects of God's wrath or judgement (Ephesians 2:3) being they now had an evil nature (Ephesians 5:6, Colossians 3:6). God from that point on became a stranger to humanity. He could not share eternity with God, as his nature is now vile, and corrupt.

 

In addition to the nature of Satan, which is commonly referred to as the "sinful nature," Satan took them captive as slaves because they were then "his children" by nature (Ephesians 2:3), and hence became "having no hope, and without God in the world" (Ephesians 2:12). Humanity has now become helpless against this cruel deciever who "takes them captive to do his will" (2 Timothy 2:26). Humanity, therefore is eternally, lost, not because he has committed sin, but is by nature sin, and has the nature of Satan within. He can never recover from this state in himself. It would require him to be "re-created" with a new nature, after the penalty of his sin is paid for. THAT IS WHY, he needs a Savior!

 

The Answer

I have good news for you, the special revelation that mankind needs, for salvation, has been given! Unfortunately, like Zacharias, many have not believed it, even though it was told them (Luke 1:19, Isaiah 53:1). Peter announced that we have that revelation of Jesus Christ that is all sufficient through his written word (the knowledge of him):

 

“According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness, through the knowledge of him that hath called us to glory and virtue:”

 

The “knowledge of Christ” is given us through the 4 Evangelists (the Gospels). Everything you need to know about “life (salvation) and godliness” has been given. The key here, is that it has to be believed, you must “believe it,” which is to say, receive it by “Faith”, this is why it says:

 

“For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith” Romans 1:17

 

What did that say? God HAS revealed his truth to your FAITH (which is how you receive everything from God); and this is why it also says:

 

“but without faith it is impossible to please God…” Hebrews 11:6

 

John also spoke the same thing when he said you can “know” that you have eternal life. But this is not just an intellectual “knowing,” it is a confirmation within the soul (heart):

 

“These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God”

 

You see, what was written by the four evangelists is sufficient (Matthew, Mark, Luke and John) to know eternal life and have it. How do you get eternal life? It is by the revealed revelation of his truth embraced by faith. The problem is “the believing” of what has been declared, there is no longer a need to wait for a special revelation of Jesus, that revelation is given in God’s word, as it declares within its own pages you can know it. The problem is an age old problem as Isaiah declared:

 

“Who hath believed our report? and to whom is the arm of the Lord revealed?” Isaiah 53:1

 

The gospel is simple and meant to be simple for the simplest of humanity to find. It, however, is hid from those who refuse to believe the report. Take it at face value, it is the individuals responsibility to believe, the responsibility is placed on the individual to believe here. As Peter told us that is our responsibility to make sure that our calling is an election sure, by giving all diligence. Yes, it is diligence on our part that is needed, required, and expected for our election and calling:

 

“Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall:” 2 Peter 1:10

 

Peter states that we must “do” these things, in order that we may not fall. and make our calling an election sure. This is so that we should not fail of the Grace of God, as Paul also states the same thing in Hebrews:

“Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; ... ” Hebrews 12:15

 

What does he mean? “Grace” means favor, with that in mind we must understand that in order to have God’s favor we must apply diligence in our lives and believe what is given. It is how God has worked with man throughout history, Moses had to stretch forth his hand, then God acted on his behalf, to defeat his enemies, to part the Red Sea, etc. It was by faith they did their part and God fulfilled His (Hebrews Chapter 11). Its is important to understand that the work of God is actually a covenant work with man and God’s Spirit in unison with one another (that is what a Covenant looks like), we apply our efforts and God empowers that action. He fulfills His promises, when we act on them. This dual/covenantal principle is laid out to us in Philippians:

 

“Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.

For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.” Philippians 2:12

 

This is where Almighty God meets humanity, when we agree with Him, and put our faith into action and he empowers that frail human effort with his divine power and glory! It is with everything that God accomplishes through man, (God’s dealing with man is always in covenants) both as mentioned above in regards to salvation, or His mighty power working in us to confirm His word as seen with the early believers of Christ:

 

“And they went forth, and preached every where, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word with signs following. Amen.” Mark 16:20

 

Many are looking for an experience/manifestation to follow their request for salvation. Even now, many are expecting a “revelation of Jesus Christ,” which is an experience that you can perceive with your senses or intellect. Either way it is a perception of what is to be received via an experience. This is not how God works, or what the scriptures teach. You must “believe the report,” and apply “diligence” in acting upon that “report” with faith/believing, it has already been declared:

 

“ ... blessed are they that have not seen, and yet have believed.” John 20:29

 

Jesus said you want to see the Glory of God, the faith of believing its possibility comes first, then Grace follows (I will cover that shortly). Jesus said:

“Said I not unto thee, that, if thou wouldest believe, thou shouldest see the glory of God?”

 

The revelation has been given the only issue remaining is whether it is embraced. God has spoken, he has given us His word. We must take it, believe it, and receive it in faith. I heard a wonderful little analogy on this subject. It goes like this:

 

“A husband and wife left on vacation. Before leaving, they wrote out great details on what exactly their only son, needed to do during their absence and gave it to their son before leaving saying ‘follow these instructions.’ When they returned the son had done none of the instructions. They asked ‘did you read the instructions?’ He said ‘yes’, and they asked ‘why then were they not followed?’ the son replied, I thought if you really wanted them done you would have called me.”

God has written us a letter of instructions (the Bible), but many are waiting now for a phone call (special revelations), to know what He really wants (his will revealed). He has already revealed His will to us, he is asking that we now by faith believe it. But, unfortunately, many think that God owes them (or should owe them) a call (direct revelation). His will has been already revealed. He is not willing that ANY should perish, but that ALL should come to repentance (2 Peter 3:9). His will IS revealed and it is now on our part to believe and receive it (Acts 26:20). If you are waiting on some special revelation or thunderbolt from heaven, please stop waiting for the phone call, and believe His written instructions.

 

Let’s take an example here:

 

“That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. … For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.”

Romans 10:9

 

And again with Peter echoing the same:

“And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved.” Acts 2:21

 

And again:

 

“To him give all the prophets witness, that through his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins.” Acts 10:43

 

In Romans Chapter 10 above, Paul, boiled salvation down to some simple steps:

 

1) Confess that you believe Jesus is who he says he is.

2) Believe He rose from the dead,

3) That belief must be from the heart (your soul)

4) When you call, you are saved! Glory to God!

 

That is what is written. Have you done these things? Then, that is the beginning of a new life. Anyone can simply believe what is written in faith and it is sufficient. Why doubt it? Receive it! It is Truth! If anyone follows those steps, they are saved! And beginning a new life in Christ, by walking in Covenant with God. Glory to God!

You may ask, “what about repentance?” (Yes, it is needed and essential). Implicit in the whole context of the subject of the Gospel in the book of Romans is the Cross of Christ (See Romans Chapter 6) which is the Judgment of God on Christ for our sins, and our resurrection with him in a new life (which is implicitly repentance). The acknowledging of Christ’s work of Substitution is an implicit repentance, by the admission of our need for forgiveness. Of course, when asking for forgiveness, they are implying a wrong they have committed, in this case against God, called sin.

 

But what if, you have asked, and then fell back into old sin's? What if as a believer you fail, or sin, or backslide, do we pray the "sinners prayer again?" Let’s look at an example of "after we receive Christ," and if we happen to sin. How is it “if we fall,” can we be restored back into fellowship with God?:

 

“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness” 1 John 1:9

 

So, then if we sin after receiving Christ, provision is made for forgiveness. If we come to God and ask for forgiveness He promises to “cleanse us.” So if anyone says, I am not cleansed or forgiven because I did not have an experience that confirmed it, they are calling God a liar. If anyone thinks God has not forgiven them after sincerely asking for it, and that they must earn right standing again, they are not believing God’s promise of forgiveness, and doubting His word, and calling Him a liar. That is harsh, but that is in reality what is being done. But if one believes and receives it, they are cleansed and forgiven, thank you Jesus!

 

Now I want to stop and ask you to meditate on that last statement. If we look at any scripture and “doubt” or “add something to it” as though it was not sufficient, we are implicitly calling God a liar. That is exactly why man is fallen. Satan comes and still deceives humanity by saying “did God really say,” (Genesis 3:4-5, Matthew 13:19) and so he is calling God a liar, by causing doubt of God’s explicitly declared word.

 

Doubting God is a serious and fatal error of humanity, and even of “Christians.” As Paul declares in Romans:

 

“And he that doubteth is damned ... for whatsoever is not of faith is sin.” Romans 14:23

 

The principle there is strong and clear, doubting is damnable and faith is essential, although that verse above is applied to food, it is relevant to more than just that application, the principle which underlies it, is universal.

 

All the verses quoted, prior to the last, are explicit statements (matter of fact, plainly spoken), there is no logical deduction needed to reach their face value conclusions. When we fulfill the requests of scripture, such as confession of sin, God will do what he says, He cannot lie. If you ask for forgiveness or salvation He gives it. No "special revelation" needed. We must accept what God says as truth. We ask for forgiveness, we are forgiven. To say anything contrary is calling God a liar, because we have not believed him. Believe His promised word and be saved! Don’t make salvation a mystical thing, it is something we receive by faith, because God made a covenant that if we ask for salvation/forgiveness he gives it.

 

So then, If you ask for forgiveness God declares you will have it. Now have you asked for forgiveness? Have you asked to be saved? Then according to God’s word, He saves and forgives you! Anything beyond that is simply falsehood, because “they have not believed the report” (Isaiah 53:1). Can you see the light and truth here? That is why faith is essential. God promises it, you believe it, you are imputed with righteousness.

 

Want more proof, don’t quite get it? Let’s look at Abraham. How/Why was he credited with righteousness, how was it imputed? Because God made a promise, he believed it without any outward, experience or sense knowledge. God said, “you are righteous,” because Abraham believed in the promise God had made:

 

“20 He staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God;

21 And being fully persuaded (in the heart/soul) that, what he had promised, he was able also to perform.

22 And therefore it was imputed to him for righteousness.”

Romans 4:20-22

 

That is how a covenant works. Let’s make it completely clear here, faith is simply believing what God has promised and believing what he said he would do for you and me. That is FAITH! This is the most concise accurate definition of faith you can ever get from the life of Abraham above, the “Father of Faith.” Can you see it? This is the most clear example of faith defined in action you can get. It is wonderful! Glory to God! That is imputed righteousness in action. We believe we receive it with confidence, we get it (Mark 11:24). The beauty and simplicity of faith.

 

It was not Grace that imputed him righteousness, it was his Faith in what God promised. You see the order here? Faith comes first and then his Grace/Favor follows.

 

Faith comes before grace, Grace is simply God’s favor, not something mystical as “Christianity” has misrepresented it. The Greek word for grace is Xaris/Charis which its primary meaning is simply the word favor. While others expect “grace” to come first in some mystical way, it comes after faith as Paul declared here very plainly without possible misinterpretation:

 

“Therefore it is of faith, that it might be by grace; to the end the promise might be sure to ALL ... (all who were to believe);”

Romans 4:16

 

and again in the passage so well known, but the fact it comes by faith is less known/understood, because the church has glazed it with false tradition but here it is:

 

“For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:” Ephesians 2:8

 

That verse is actually stating you are “saved through faith,” “Grace” which is God’s favor, cannot be achieved without Faith. Faith is the starting point! Not some mystical experience of which God must impose upon us called “grace” as traditions has twisted the word of God’s “favor” to mean. This verse should properly be interpreted from Greek as follows:

 

“For by [God’s] favor are you saved through faith; and not of yourselves, it is the gift of God” Ephesians 2:8

 

What is the “gift” here that is not of us?, grace?, It doesn't seem plausible, let's look again, it makes more sense in keeping with the context to be either “faith” or “salvation.” Both are given as gifts to ALL humanity, for example:

 

“… God hath dealt (given) to every man the measure of faith.” [Faith we must exercise]

Romans 12:3

 

Notice God is giving faith to humanity, not "grace" (that is for believers), and it is also all inclusive (every man)! And if it indeed is “faith,” that is consistent with context. God has planted that seed of faith in humanity. Not "special ones" who get the "special revelation" or "grace" (that would make God a respecter of persons [Acts 10:34, Romans 2:11] and therefore be a contradiction), it is to everyone, so that no one can boast, and they can have opportunity to believe. He doesn’t want them to die, it is then their choice to reject, but only in the face of His loving hands trying to reach them by giving them faith.

Faith is given in a "general revelation" of himself to humanity (So they are without excuse Romans 1:20), so that they can receive the "specific revelation" of His word (Revelation of His mystery given us Romans 16:25, Ephesians 1:9; 3:5; Colosssians 1:26-27).

Otherwise evangelism is meaningless if it is only a capriciously chosen few. That is contrary to what is already said of God’s will (i.e. Not willing that any should perish 2 Peter 3:9, more on this later), and makes Jesus’s divine commission futile, therefore that view is self-contradictory, and therefore self-defeating.

If the meaning is the second choice, the “gift not of us” is “salvation” rather than faith, it is also consistent with all of scripture, that “salvation is a free gift of God,” (Romans 6:23) which no one can boast "special privilege," and would make more sense, since Grace follows faith in salvation as seen above (Romans 4:16).

Lastly, if in Ephesians 2:8, let’s say for argument sake, why "grace" does not fit as an option. If grace were the direct object, it would be a “special grace,” (although, grace cannot be given to unbelievers, as mentioned, faith must precede it) that is not of themselves, is logically contradictory, because they certainly could then “boast” that they are among the “specially chosen.” That choice is logically self-defeating. This is contradicting the essence of his point, that the item at work is one of which cannot be boasted of. And if God did make that "special appointment/election" of them He then is a "respecter of persons," (Acts 10:34, Romans 2:11), which is then a contradiction of scripture, and therefore obviously a wrong interpretation (which is exactly why the doctrine of "special election" is false, it contradicts scripture, and fails on its own merits). Faith, and Salvation are both general offerings given to all of humanity and cannot be boasted of, and fit properly as that which cannot be boasted of being offered to ALL. In addition, as previously stated "Grace" (xaris - favor), cannot be given to the unrighteous, or unbeliever, is only offered to those who recieve it by Christ's merits.

 

As seen we gain His favor (Grace) by believing (His promises) through/by Faith, its very simple and exactly what it says in Ephesians 2:8 above. The key subject is not grace preceding but following, “saved through faith” being the object of the statement, which results then in Grace/Favor of God. The order is essential, as it is impossible to please God without it. Therefore faith becomes essential to receive the favor/grace he offers. Can you see the light of this truth here? It is not an issue of semantics but an essential foundational truth.

 

God has made a promise to you, if you ask for forgiveness He promises to forgive. Anything contrary to that revealed promise of God is a lie, simply put. We must reject everything contrary to the plainly revealed word of God, including man’s theology or philosophy or doctrines:

 

“ ... let God be true, but every man a liar; as it is written…”

Romans 3:4

 

Even if it comes in the form of “Intellectual” or “Rational” arguments of the “natural mind.” Here is where men go astray. They through their traditions “add” to God’s word, and make it of none effect (Matthew 15:6). Because the natural mind (that of experience, and limited to the senses/intellect) cannot receive the things of God, in fact they are hostile to God’s things (1 Corinthians 2:14), because they must be received by faith (2 Corinthians 5:7), contrary to human experience, and must be Spiritually discerned (1 Corinthians 2:14).:

 

“Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men (often theology), after the rudiments (principles, ideas) of the world (intellectualism, natural mind), and not after Christ.” Colosssians 2:8

 

So all being said, knowing the Bible is not enough, experience of it is not enough, it is Faith that is essential in applying to God promises in order to receive them. Let’s look at what Paul said in Hebrews about that subject:

 

“For unto us was the gospel preached, as well as unto them: but the word preached did not profit them, not being mixed with faith in them that heard it.”

Hebrews 4:2

 

Without taking God’s word and believing it for what it says at face value, it has no value to us, it does not do us a “bit of good” because it is not mixed with Faith. Faith is the starting point, and brings us to the favor (grace) with God.

 

Let me give you another example. If you have asked God to forgive you of your sins, then it is done, and they are no longer remembered, He promises not only to forgive but to forget them! Did you hear that? Did you know that? SO, if you have asked God for forgiveness, He not only forgives He WILL WIPE IT AWAY FROM HIS REMEMBRANCE (will not recall it). That is the “special revelation of Jesus Christ” to you, you need not to look any further to know how to be forgiven or “Saved.” The only issue with humanity is that they must “believe what is written.”:

 

“For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their iniquities will I remember no more.”

Hebrews 8:12

 

And Again:

 

“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.”

Hebrews 10:16-17

 

This is God’s Covenant which He has brought to us through Christ. God has made a New Covenant with humanity. Under the terms of this New Covenant, anyone who believes can receive forgiveness/Salvation at the asking, and He will be merciful! Why? Because He has promised! He also promises to give us a new heart, a heart which has His laws (moral truth’s) written on our hearts (desires of our soul), which we will not speak to now, that is in the next section. However, this “new creation” (2 Corinthians 5:17, Galatians 6:15) gives us a new identity, and this is a fundamentally important truth which drives every action of the believer. It must be mentioned that once one believes what God has said regarding salvation and receives it by faith, then the believer must then “put on” this new life of emulating Christ into this world as said:

 

“That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts;

And be renewed in the spirit of your mind; And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.”

 Ephesians 4:24

 

Hence, as entering into Covenant with God is then to “put off” the old life, and being the “new man” which God has made us to be. We accept this “new man” in faith, and live it out in the new identity given us by God as he declares that “now are we the sons of God” 1 John 3:2.

It is then that we must also “change the way we think” or “renew the mind” it must be “transformed” (Romans 12:2). Or you will always live in moral defeat, and eventually lose heart and drop off from the fold, or learn to be a hypocrite pretending you have something you only wish you really had. The next section I will talk about this issue, and how to live victorious and free. Yes you can be free from sin (Romans 6:18, 22), that is said in many places in scripture. Otherwise Jesus would have lied when he said, "whom the son sets free, is free indeed" (John 8:36) in the context of "slaves to sin." And, the redemption of Christ would have been a complete failure if it could not "Save to the uttermost" (Hebrews 7:25), from the "sinful/fallen nature" of man.

 

The New Covenant is extended beyond the "Jews religion" and to the whole world, anyone in fact whoever will believe it, at any moment, can receive eternal salvation, this is emphatically illustrated by the language of the New Testament writers use of “Whosoever/Anyone/Any/All” who believes, do, confesses, calls, etc. Jesus is asking you if you believe this in the following statement:

 

“And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this?” John 11:26

 

Jesus, said it is for ALL, not just some select chosen, we become “chosen” when we choose Him! When Jesus said, “you have not chosen me, but I have chosen you” He was directly speaking to his disciples, and that is how a Rabbi determined who was his disciple culturally of that time, and it was understood. To say that verse is His implication to all disciples today is the same as saying “Don’t go in the way of the Gentiles or Samaritans” to preach the Gospel today, which of course makes no sense, because it was a specific statement to the twelve. Now Jesus has opened the door to all, the invitation is for the world, and not for any "select chosen group," it is for everyone! Thank God! That offering is for anyone, anytime who will believe what he has said. As previously mentioned if God is solely making the decision apart from man's free will, he has become a "respecter of persons" which is contrary to the scripture already mentioned (Acts 19:34, Romans 2:11). The proof of this is seen in the language of this offering to all of humanity, as seen in the following verses:

   

“The Lord is … not willing that ANY should perish, but that ALL should come to repentance.” 2 Peter 3:9

 “And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved.” Acts 2:21

 “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; ...” Romans 1:16

 “Who (God) will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.” 1 Timothy 2:4

 “… and whosoever among you feareth God, to you is the word of this salvation sent.” Acts 13:26

 “That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life.” John 3:15

 “Whosoever shall confess that Jesus is the Son of God, God dwelleth in him, and he in God.” 1 John 4:15

 “Whosoever believeth that Jesus is the Christ is born of God:” 1 John 5:1

 “As it is written, Behold, I lay in Sion a stumbling stone and rock of offence: and whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.” Romans 9:33

 “For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed.” Romans 10:11

 “For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.” Romans 10:13

 “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.” John 3:16

 “I am come a light into the world, that whosoever believeth on me should not abide in darkness.” John 12:46

 “but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.” Matthew 5:19

 “Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock” Matthew 7:24

 “Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven.” Matthew 10:32, Luke 12:8

 “And blessed is he, whosoever shall not be offended in me.” Matthew 11:6

“For whosoever shall do the will of my Father which is in heaven, the same is my brother, and sister, and mother.” Matthew 12:50, Mark 3:35

“… And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.” Revelation 22:17

“For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it.” Matthew 16:25, Mark 8:35, Luke 9:24, 17:33

“Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven.” Matthew 18:4

“To him give all the prophets witness, that through his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins.” Acts 10:43

 

In addition we see this truth expressed in the early church fathers, as seen in the following epistle of Clement:

Clemente First Epistle to the Corinthians Chapter 7

“… Let us look stedfastly to the blood of Christ, and see how precious that blood is to God, which, having been shed for our salvation, has set the grace of repentance before the whole world. Let us turn to every age that has passed, and learn that, from generation to generation, the Lord has granted a place of repentance to all such as would be converted unto Him. … ”

 

I think that should be plenty of “proof texts” to make my point, though there are more, that when it comes to the offer of salvation, the invitation is to “Whosoever” which means “anyone,” which means “everybody,” which means you!

Sadly, not all will come in simple faith and believe it. In not one of those many passages I have given above, is there a condition, that one must be condemned of his sins. Their already exists a universality of “sin consciousness” that is the foundation of all the world’s religions.

Usually, most religions and people recognize they must do something for forgiveness. And if one properly tells the Gospel story, they will know that the Cross was explicitly for Sin (their sins), and their punishment for it. However, their sin is not a point of condemnation in the Gospel messages for us to tell as his Ambassadors in this world. In fact it tells us not to “impute their trespasses” unto them in the following passage:

 

“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.

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.”

2 Corinthians 5:19-20

 

And Again as seen in part of the Spirit of Christ’s mission on earth:

 

“For the Son of man is not come to destroy men’s lives, but to save them.” Luke 9:56

 

This emphatically declares, your past and present sin has no part in the declaration of the “Good News” / ”Gospel” with condemnation, that would be “bad news” not good, so, for example the doctrine of “Total Depravity” is not seen in the true Gospel proposition in scripture, it then can only be referred to as a “tradition of men.” So we don’t condemn them for sins but point them to the fact God has bridged the gap of their sins which have in times past separated them from Him. Now we can be united with Him once again, via the forgiveness of sins, or “reconciliation.” Which is one piece of this big puzzle, with many wonderful pieces of God’s New Covenant. Glory to his wonderful name!

 

The Gospel is the message of “Whosoever will” come, believe, have life (Greek sozo: salvation). The heart of the Gospel is the invitation to come and enter into Covenant with God again (lost in Eden gained at the cross).

 

The Gospel is an invitation to a lifetime of walking in Covenant with God. Hence, the Gospel/Good News is an invitation to receive the Covenant with all its promises (Hebrews 8:6) (which includes eternal life or “salvation,” “healing,” “empowerment,” etc).

 

In summary, what did Jesus come to bring? A New Covenant! When you understand that, it changes your view point of the “Christian Religion.” In fact, you reject the “Christian Religion” and embrace God Himself in a Covenant Relationship. I have rejected the “Christian religion” because it is the political face of a church locked in with false traditions. However, I embrace God, through Jesus Christ fully till my last drop of blood is shed. For he alone is worthy! I am now a “follower of Jesus Christ” the word Christian no longer has proper meaning to express the real follower of Christ. We are "disciples of Christ"

 

This is essential to understand. The Gospel message is not an “end to all” it is the “beginning of” eternal life. The “beginning of” living a life in Covenant with God Himself. This is where the power of the supernatural also begins to perform signs, wonders, miracles, healings in Jesus wonderful name. But we shall leave that for another time. But God then indwells us as said:

 

“… for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.” 2 Corinthians 6:16

 

This is the invitation to come and follow Jesus. It has been given, come as you are, and he will, both “will and do of His good pleasure in you” (Philippians 2:13) if you allow him. He has made provision for your forgiveness and will love, embrace and accept you into his family. When you receive it by faith you will become a new creation (2 Corinthians 5:17), and you will then need to live that “new man” (Ephesians 4:23),

 

“If so be that ye have heard him, and have been taught by him, as the truth is in Jesus:

That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts;

And be renewed in the spirit of your mind;

And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.”

Ephesians 4:20-23

 

Now as a new born believer, the next step is learning how to live a victorious life in Christ Jesus. There are several things that need to happen next in order to be that which God intends you to be. Paul started with some of those pre-requisites to victory in that passage above (Ephesians 4:20-23), let me re-state them:

 

1) Put Off – The old life must go

2) Renew your mind – The old way of thinking must go

3) Put On – The new life must be actively pursued, a conscience decision

4) Righteousness – See your self as God declares you to be you are now “righteous and holy”

 

This is a beautiful and wonderful mystery, “Christ in us the hope of glory” (Colosssians 1:27).

Now is the time after this foundation is laid, that we move on to the “wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him.”

 

“That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him”

Ephesians 1:17

 

That revelation is for those who “already have believed.” Paul, was writing to people who had “already been converted,” and was telling this is the next steps If you have followed along and embraced the truths presented, that is the logical next step after one enters into covenant with God. That is because, these truths are not “self-evident,” they are as previously mentioned, “spiritually discerned,” and you cannot discern them without the Spirit living within you. (Romans 8:9) The wonderful news is embrace these truths and then let’s move on to the greater things of God. If you know that you believe Christ is the son of God, you will want to please him. If you have not, take your stand for Jesus now, and declare to Him you believe, right now, Let’s Pray:

 

“Lord, whatever You say or have said in Your Word, I believe. That Your grace and glory can be revealed to me. I come to walk in Covenant with you, and you promise to give me a new heart and mind, you said if I call upon you, I will be saved. Right now, I call on you to save me, to empower me, to deliver me, to transform me. I believe your promises and I will live in them from this day forward. Make me the person you want me to be. Amen”

 

When you pray that prayer, in the spiritual realm many things have happened:

1) Angels are rejoicing (Luke 15:10)

2) The Father God Rejoices (Luke 15:24)

3) You are a new creation (2 Corinthians 5:17)

4) You are now adopted into God’s family, and are his child (John 1:12)

5) You are now translated into God’s kingdom (Colosssians 1:13)

6) You are given Authority over all the Devils (Luke 10:19)

7) You are now the righteousness of God (2 Corinthians 5:21)

8) You are now healed by his stripes (1 Peter 2:24)

9) You are now (not later) a child of God [in his family] (1 John 3:2)

10) You have inherited all the promises of God, as undeniable to you (2 Corinthians 1:20)

11) Your life is now hid in Christ, and now he can live through you (Colosssians 3:3)

12) You are now seated in heavenly places with Christ, a seat of authority (Ephesians 2:6)

13) You have authority over all sickness and disease (Matthew 10:8, Mark 16:17-18)

14) You have the full authority to do the works Jesus did (John 14:12-14, 1 John 4:17)

15) Your name is now written in Heaven (Luke 10:20)

16) You are now in Covenant with God, and ready to live in that new life (Romans 11:27, Hebrews 8:6)

17) Your sins are now forever forgotten in God’s mind (Hebrews 8:12, 10:17)

18) You have an oath of God, that He will keep his Covenant with you (Hebrews 6:17)

19) You are kept from falling, and will be presented faultless with Joy before Him (Jude 1:24)

20) He will save you to the uttermost (Hebrews 7:75)

21) You have passed from death to life (John 5:24)

22) You being once dead are now alive eternally (Romans 6:13)

23) You have been translated out of Satan's power and are now in God's Kingdom (Colossian 1:13)

 

and so forth, and so very much more, 32,000 promises are now given to you, but how to receive these promises is the next topic of discussion. How these truths are materialized in our lives is what I have gleaned from some of the giants of the faith, and want to talk about next. No matter how you come to salvation this next topic is still vital to come to be who God has declared you to be now. Briefly, I do feel it is important to mention, that all that has now been gained must be now regarded, as the “greatest treasure, the pearl of great price” (Matthew 13:46), and guarded with all that is within you. This is where many fail and backslide, when they stop at the invitation, and fail to renew the mind, not because they fail to "see their depravity," but return to it.

Now, it’s time for the next steps. Where to go from here? How do these truths now manifest in your life. We shall look at that in the next section.

For some it is a two-fold struggle. I have attempted to address the first half (how one becomes saved), the second half is that of the manifestation of a changed life, power, authority, inheritance, and all that pertains to this new life.

The second issue is where some seem to have experienced the greatest discouragement, and so felt, based on their inability to live above failure, that they were not “saved.” Addressing that issue is just as important as addressing the first issue, because, that is where life is defined and cannot be faked. That subject I have addressed in the article "How To Win The Battle Against Sin." This second issue, often is the greatest of all obstacles one may face. I am excited to have had the opportunity to put together the truths I have learned regarding living a victorious life I have learned these recent years from some of the giants of the faith. I want you to join with me on that journey, it is the core of being a true believer. Entering a race is easy, crossing the finish line is altogether a different matter, we run as one who will win (1 Corinthians 9:24, Hebrews 12:1, Philippians 3:14). When you learn how to run the race with joy and endurance, you become a Champion, that is where I want to take us in the next section!