Salvation
The concept of salvation can be hard for humans because there is “being” and not solely “doing” with salvation. Also in a time when scandal is the language of the day, there is “believing”. I believe in God (But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him. (Hebrews 11:6 (AKJV) therefore I attend to the things of His Word. My attempt is to not only do the things of His Word but with His help to be re-shaped by His Word. (Romans 12:2 (AKJV)And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.) In my thinking and very being. (Psalm 119:11 (AKJV) Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.) And can I say that there is no pat answer for the questions you come up with during this process. (Romans 9:15 (AKJV)For he saith to Moses, I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion.) Yup, it’s a process. It’s going to take some time (Galatians 5:1 (AKJV)Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.)
But if you give God time, the results are wonderful. The time and situations that water the rock that we are, smooths us over into different shapes according to His will and purpose. God didn’t just say that He loved us but He proved it. The kind of love God has for us is amazing.
(1 John 4:10 (AKJV) Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins)
. I understand that we are the New Testament church but we should study the first testament along with the New Testament to truly understand our God.
(2 Corinthians 5:18-20 (AKJV), “18 And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation; 19 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. 20 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.”)
Accepting Christ as Saviour is “to be saved”. The scripture shows us how simple it is (Romans 10:9-10 (AKJV) says,”8 But what saith it? The word is nigh thee, even in thy mouth, and in thy heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach; 9 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. 10 For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.”) and we move on from the foundational beliefs in God to understand who He is. Who is Jesus Christ? How does He work in me to shape and change me? In Genesis God told Abram, (Genesis 15:1(AKJV) After these things the word of the Lord came unto Abram in a vision, saying, Fear not, Abram: I am thy shield, and thy exceeding great reward.) In Exodus He says, (Exodus 6:8 (AKJV)And I will bring you in unto the land, concerning the which I did swear to give it to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob; and I will give it you for an heritage: I am the Lord.) In Leviticus, so many things are happening and being worked out. If we are not careful we miss the instructions on how to worship and how to approach unto our God. No longer with the blood of bulls and of goats, but with the blood of Jesus and in spirit and in truth. (John 4:23(AKJV) But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him.) (John 4:24 (AKJV) God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.) We could get lost in my will, my way, what I think and what I suppose, what I want to do, and forget that our Redeemer is Holy, Sovereign, Very God of Very God, King of Kings, Lord of Lords, The Great Shepherd, Prince of Peace, and commands everything and all of us. Oops! I brought up the topic that we most despise. OBEDIENCE. Salvation would be perfect if we weren’t required to obey God. (1 Chronicles 28:9 (AKJV) And thou, Solomon my son, know thou the God of thy father, and serve him with a perfect heart and with a willing mind: for the Lord searcheth all hearts, and understandeth all the imaginations of the thoughts: if thou seek him, he will be found of thee; but if thou forsake him, he will cast thee off for ever.) But the extra of God is given and made available to the individuals who will follow on to know the Lord, (Hosea 6:2-4 (AKJV) says, “2 After two days will he revive us: in the third day he will raise us up, and we shall live in his sight. 3 Then shall we know, if we follow on to know the Lord: his going forth is prepared as the morning; and he shall come unto us as the rain, as the latter and former rain unto the earth. 4 O Ephraim, what shall I do unto thee? O Judah, what shall I do unto thee? for your goodness is as a morning cloud, and as the early dew it goeth away.) That means the person who will come to God and accept Him as their Lord, and then take the necessary steps to get to know Him, invite Him into their everyday life, allow Him access to their fears, hopes, and dreams, will dedicate themselves to be His, despite the cost, that individual will get and have a very different view and relationship with God. (John 6:35 (AKJV) And Jesus said unto them, I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst.) Can you imagine having the Creator of the Universe on your side? Somebody should ask Mr. Quaker what it’s like to have God for a business partner.
The other part of this relationship that gets sticky is our Participation. The part that we are accountable for. Our determination and us demonstrating our love for Him. I have found that there are many things that would try and separate us from Him. Tangible and intangible. The trials in my life, the things that I do without, my sin, my feelings, the things I see, my desires, when it seems like He’s not talking with me, and when I’m lonely. In your relationship with Him you will surely feel all these things and more, but you hold on to the scripture, (Hebrews 13:5 (AKJV) Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.)
My faith in the Triune God is based on this scripture. I am never alone because He will never leave me or forsake me, as long as I live for Him. It’s really simple-Stay with Him and He will stay with you. (Romans 8:32 (AKJV)He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things?)