Salvation from sin
Lately I have been thinking a lot about the Grace of God. I have discovered from the scriptures that an important aspect of grace is often neglected. Paul the apostle strongly reminded us that salvation in no way comes from us but from God in His grace. However he also reminds us that this same grace can change us and empower us to become more like our Lord and Savior Jesus.
God's grace empowered Paul to effectively preach the Gospel to the gentiles. (Ephesians 3:8) His grace teaches us to resist sin and to live godly lives in this present age. (Titus 2:12) Sometimes I wonder if we fail to convey this aspect of the Gospel when we share it with others.
The one extreme is when people believe they must change before they give their lives to God. The other is that they believe that no change is expected after they receive Him. How many times have you heard the confession, "I am just a sinner, saved by grace?"
But what did Paul say? He wrote this to the Corinthians in 1 Corinthians 6:9-11:
9 Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived; neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor homosexuals, 10 nor thieves, nor the covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers, will inherit the kingdom of God.
11 Such were some of you; but you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and in the Spirit of our God.
NASB
Notice that he was addressing some of those people who were once thieves, fornicators, drunkards etc. By the grace of God and believing in the good news of Jesus Christ they were changed! Since faith comes by hearing, I am thinking that a greater presentation of the Gospel should include the good news that sinners can be changed into saints! If all we tell people is that they can be forgiven, then that is all they can believe for. Or am I completely off base?
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Hello there, dear Dan in Columbus. You bring up important things. God indeed accepts us as we are - but loves us so much that he will not leave us as we are.
Why should we not want to be changed for the better? The alternative is to be overcome by sin, again and again. To hurt ourselves and others, too. Is life not complicated enough?
OK. If a person came to me for advice and confessed: "I have lost the joy of my salvation. Not not sure if I'm really saved.” My first instinct would be to go straight to the promises of God. Based upon his forgiveness, eternal grace, and holy word. That approach might be helpful.
Look at 1 John, however. To this writer, assurance can also come by passing certain tests! Certain behavioural tests. Not perfectly, of course, but in principle.
Carefully notice all the IF’s in this short letter, with regard to one passing from death unto life.
1. 1 John 1:5-7 (Walking in the Light)
5 This is the message which we have heard from Him and declare to you, that God is light and in Him is no darkness at all. 6 If we say that we have fellowship with Him, and walk in darkness, we lie and do not practice the truth. 7 But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin.
2. 1 John 1:8-10 (Confession of Sin)
8 If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. 9 If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
3. 1 John 2:3-4 (Obedience)
3 Now by this we know that we know Him, if we keep His commandments. 4 He who says, "I know Him," and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him.
4. 1 John 2:9-11 (Love for the Brethren)
9 He who says he is in the light, and hates his brother, is in darkness until now. 10 He who loves his brother abides in the light, and there is no cause for stumbling in him. 11 But he who hates his brother is in darkness and walks in darkness, and does not know where he is going, because the darkness has blinded his eyes.
5. 1 John 2:15-17 (Hatred for the World)
15 Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16 For all that is in the world--the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life--is not of the Father but is of the world. 17 And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever
6. 1 John 2:24-25 (Perseverance in Doctrine)
24 Therefore let that abide in you which you heard from the beginning. If what you heard from the beginning abides in you, you also will abide in the Son and in the Father. 25 And this is the promise that He has promised us--eternal life.
7. 1 John 3:10 (Righteousness)
10 In this the children of God and the children of the devil are manifest: Whoever does not practice righteousness is not of God, nor is he who does not love his brother. 11 For this is the message that you heard from the beginning, that we should love one another,
8. 1 John 4:13 (Spirit's Testimony)
13 By this we know that we abide in Him, and He in us, because He has given us of His Spirit.
9. Hebrews 12:5-8 (Discipline)
5 And you have forgotten the exhortation which speaks to you as to sons: "My son, do not despise the chastening of the Lord, Nor be discouraged when you are rebuked by Him; 6 For whom the Lord loves He chastens, And scourges every son whom He receives." 7 If you endure chastening, God deals with you as with sons; for what son is there whom a father does not chasten? 8 But if you are without chastening, of which all have become partakers, then you are illegitimate and not sons
Interesting, huh?
All these if’s are in the context of free and unmerited GRACE, of course. That said, The Almighty One, desires to change us more and more into the image of his Son. And to be our Lord - not just our Saviour.
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Your point on returning to the promises in God's word is so important. I am grateful that like Paul's son in the faith, Timothy, I was taught to love the scriptures from a young age. That knowledge has followed me and helped me for many years since. We live in a time when pity is mistaken for compassion. Lately I have been touched by the compassion of Christ towards the many I know who struggle with addictions and serious weaknesses in their character.
His compassion motivates me not to affirm the failures of humanity but to shine the light on the victory that has been won for them in Christ. He came into the world not to condemn it but that the world through Him might be saved! I desire not to condemn anyone, but to truly help them somehow. I want them to know the Good News that God not only forgives them but will deliver them even in their present circumstances. But sometimes I don't even know where to start.
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