Salvation

What does "Salvation" mean? My dictionary gives this definition:

1. To save a person from sin and its consequences
   
2. The saving from danger, difficulty, or evil (in the Old Testament, trouble was referred to as evil)
   
3. Something that saves
   

Jesus said this about salvation:

And Jesus said unto him, This day is salvation come to this house, forsomuch as he also is a son of Abraham. For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost. Luke 19:9-10

The word salvation is used 158 times in the Holy Bible, and the Bible tells us exactly what it means.

Salvation is listed 115 times in the Old Testament, where it is referring to God, our Father, saving His people, the children of Israel. It talks about what they obtained, or what was given to them, by doing the things God the Father commanded them under His law and the Law of Moses. In other words, what they obtained through obedience.

And Moses said unto the people, Fear ye not, stand still, and see the salvation of the LORD, which he will shew to you to day: for the Egyptians whom ye have seen to day, ye shall see them again no more for ever. Exodus 14:13

Then sang Moses and the children of Israel this song unto the LORD, and spake, saying, I will sing unto the LORD, for he hath triumphed gloriously: the horse and his rider hath he thrown into the sea. The LORD is my strength and song, and he is become my salvation: he is my God, and I will prepare him an habitation; my father's God, and I will exalt him. Exodus 15:1-2. This is when God delivered His people from the Egyptian army.

And Saul said, There shall not a man be put to death this day: for to day the LORD hath wrought salvation in Israel. I Samuel 11:13. We see another example of God delivering His people from an enemy.

Salvation is listed only forty-three times in the New Testament. It is here that the word refers to the greatest hope and gift of the entire church, not only to the Jews, but to everyone in the world who is chosen to be one of God's children.

Now if Christ be preached that he rose from the dead, how say some among you that there is no resurrection of the dead? But if there be no resurrection of the dead, then is Christ not risen: And if Christ be not risen, then is our preaching vain, and your faith is also vain. Yea, and we are found false witnesses of God; because we have testified of God that he raised up Christ: whom he raised not up, if so be that the dead rise not. For if the dead rise not, then is not Christ raised: And if Christ be not raised, your faith is vain; ye are yet in your sins. Then they also which are fallen asleep in Christ are perished. If in this life only we have hope in Christ, we are of all men most miserable. I Corinthians 15:12-19. Praise the Lord, Jesus Christ did rise from the dead and we do have hope of eternal life, through salvation from our Lord and Master!

Be it known therefore unto you, that the salvation of God is sent unto the Gentiles, and that they will hear it. Acts 28:28

For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. Romans 1:16

How do we get saved?

For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death. 2 Corinthians 7:10

For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be ashamed. Romans 10:10-11.

Be it known unto you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom ye crucified, whom God raised from the dead, even by him doth this man stand here before you whole. Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved. Acts 4:10, 12.

First, we realize exactly how wretched we are in our sinful state, and how far we are from God. This makes us sorrowful, which causes us to repent (express remorse, turn away from the sinful acts, and ask forgiveness of God). We also have to believe and confess that Jesus is the risen Son of God, and that only His blood can wash our sins away. That part is free. You can't be good enough to earn salvation, and doing good deeds won't wash away your bad ones.

For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast. Ephesians 2:8-9

After that, we must work to stay saved. Our sinful nature wants to keep jumping back into the mud.

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. Philippians 2:12. What kind of fear is that? The fear of God! The fear of what the consequences will be for us if we go back to our sinful ways.

Men and brethren, children of the stock of Abraham, and whosoever among you feareth God, to you is the word of this salvation sent. Acts 13:26. More of that fearing God!

For it became him, for whom are all things, and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons unto glory, to make the captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings. Hebrews 2:10. Sometimes, we will have to endure sufferings, as part of our perfecting process.

Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered; And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him; Hebrews 5:8-9. Jesus suffered and was made perfect. We have to do the same.

There are people who play around and say, "Oh, some day I'll get myself right with the Lord, but not now. I'm having too much fun right now!" This is foolish, to say the least. Do any of us know for sure that we will be alive tomorrow? Of course not! God wants us to accept the gift that was given to us, the life and blood of His only son, Jesus. He died to be the final sacrifice for our sin. He rose again to give us hope that we can live in Heaven for eternity, after this life.

For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ, I Thessalonians 5:9

For he saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succoured thee: behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation. 2 Corinthians 6:2

IN CONCLUSION

We are kept by the power of God, through faith, unto salvation.

I Peter 1:3-5, 9-12

Doing the best we can at all times, ever striving to do better and to learn more of the Word of God, will lead us to joy and everlasting life.

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: 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: For so an entrance shall be ministered unto you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. Wherefore I will not be negligent to put you always in remembrance of these things, though ye know them, and be established in the present truth. II Peter 1:3-12

Being forgiven, being born again (being made a new creature, II Corinthians 5:17), and being saved are all through the grace of God, but it is only the start of a life of crucifixion, (denying the flesh) and going on to perfection through Jesus Christ. May God help us to do our best at all times, knowing it will bring only the best He has for us. In Jesus' name, and God bless you.

Knowing the Will of God

How are we to know God's will for our lives?

We must submit ourselves to God first, by surrendering our lives to Him; by being saved, and by reading and obeying God's Holy Word, daily. God's direction, or will, can be given to us if we will listen to Him when He speaks to us in His Word, (the Holy Bible, KJV).

Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path. Psalm 119:105 (God's Word will direct us.)

We must pray always, to know God's will, as well as knowing His Word, by reading and doing it. Unfortunately, God doesn't come down to us, and most of the time doesn't send us a messenger to tell us His will explicitly. But, if we acknowledge our need of His help, He will direct our steps.

Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. Proverbs 3:5-6

God wants us to know His will for our lives, and if we seek Him we will find it.

Evil men understand not judgment: but they that seek the LORD understand all things. Proverbs 28:5

How do we seek God?

As stated earlier in this message, we must read God's Word (2 Timothy 2:15, Isaiah 28:9-13), we must hear God's Word preached (Romans 10:14-15, 17), and do the best we can by the knowledge and grace that God gives us, ever seeking more understanding and knowledge. When we have done these things, we must pray, acknowledge our need of God, and trust that He will direct our paths, when we don't get a clear answer from the Bible. We also must be patient in seeking God for an answer.

This is what Jesus said:

And he spake a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint; Saying, There was in a city a judge, which feared not God, neither regarded man: And there was a widow in that city; and she came unto him, saying, Avenge me of mine adversary. And he would not for a while: but afterward he said within himself, Though I fear not God, nor regard man; Yet because this widow troubleth me, I will avenge her, lest by her continual coming she weary me. And the Lord said, Hear what the unjust judge saith. And shall not God avenge his own elect, which cry day and night unto him, though he bear long with them? I tell you that he will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless when the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth? Luke 18:1-8

Pray, not faint. Don't get tired of asking, and quit. We must have faith, believing God will do what He says He will do.

Throughout the entire chapter of Hebrews 11, we see faith active in the lives of those great patriarchs. How did they obtain such faith? Through obedience, through works of faith, and through works of righteousness.

But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves. For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass: For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was. But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed. Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world. James 1:22-25, 27

Also see James 2:14-26.

If we have this kind of faith, we can receive direction from God, as to His will. At times, however, our faith may be weak. Jesus' instruction in this situation was to fast.

Then came the disciples to Jesus apart, and said, Why could not we cast him out? And Jesus said unto them, Because of your unbelief: for verily I say unto you, If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you. Howbeit this kind goeth not out but by prayer and fasting. Matthew 17:19-21

And when he was come into the house, his disciples asked him privately, Why could not we cast him out? And he said unto them, This kind can come forth by nothing, but by prayer and fasting. Mark 9:28-29

Daniel fasted and obtained great results – an angel of the Lord came to him!

In those days I Daniel was mourning three full weeks. I ate no pleasant bread, neither came flesh nor wine in my mouth, neither did I anoint myself at all, till three whole weeks were fulfilled. Daniel 10:2-3

Then said he unto me, Fear not, Daniel: for from the first day that thou didst set thine heart to understand, and to chasten thyself before thy God, thy words were heard, and I am come for thy words. Now I am come to make thee understand what shall befall thy people in the latter days: for yet the vision is for many days. Daniel 11:12 & 14

The Apostle Paul fasted and received his eyesight again, and was given direction from God. He was told God's will for his life.

IN CONCLUSION

Remember how Jesus said we ought to pray? Asking for God's will, not our own!

After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which art in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen. Matthew 6:9-13

What is God's will for all of us?

I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. 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. For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith. Romans 12:1-3

Pray to know all of God's will for your life.

Epaphras, who is one of you, a servant of Christ, saluteth you, always labouring fervently for you in prayers, that ye may stand perfect and complete in all the will of God. Colossians 4:12

My prayer is that God would help you to understand and to do His will. He will bless us now (in this life) and in the life to come. Praise God!

Faith Without Works is Dead

I got the inspiration for this message by the Holy Ghost, from a conversation with a New Hampshire Christian, while playing a chess game. We discussed some issues about Christian responsibilities and one of the topics discussed was about works of faith. Needless to say, we didn't see the same things on this subject, because he refused to believe what our Holy Bible says about works of faith. He claimed that Jesus did all the work for our salvation, and that we no longer have to have any works to continue in God's grace. Well, let's see what our Holy Bible says about this.

What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him? If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food, And one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit? Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone. Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works. Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble. But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead? Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar? Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect? And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God. Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only. Likewise also was not Rahab the harlot justified by works, when she had received the messengers, and had sent them out another way? For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also. James 2:14-26

Our initial salvation is through grace, but the Bible is very convincing that after we're saved, faith alone will not suffice. We must go on to good works after were saved, just as Ephesians 2:10 says! Let's review some of the works of faith by great examples in our Holy Bible.

By faith Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, by which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts: and by it he being dead yet speaketh. Hebrews 11:4

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. By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house; by the which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith. By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whither he went. Hebrews 11:6-8

By faith Abraham, when he was tried, offered up Isaac: and he that had received the promises offered up his only begotten son, Accounting that God was able to raise him up, even from the dead; from whence also he received him in a figure. Hebrews 11:17 & 19

By faith Moses, when he was come to years, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh's daughter; Choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God, than to enjoy the pleasures of sin for a season; Esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in Egypt: for he had respect unto the recompence of the reward. Hebrews 11:24-26

By faith the walls of Jericho fell down, after they were compassed about seven days. By faith the harlot Rahab perished not with them that believed not, when she had received the spies with peace. Hebrews 11:30-31

There are other great examples of faith with works in the book of I Samuel.

I Samuel 14:6-16, 20

I Samuel 17:32-50

Now let's look at some New Testament examples of faith accompanied by works.

And a certain centurion's servant, who was dear unto him, was sick, and ready to die. And when he heard of Jesus, he sent unto him the elders of the Jews, beseeching him that he would come and heal his servant. And when they came to Jesus, they besought him instantly, saying, That he was worthy for whom he should do this: For he loveth our nation, and he hath built us a synagogue. Then Jesus went with them. And when he was now not far from the house, the centurion sent friends to him, saying unto him, Lord, trouble not thyself: for I am not worthy that thou shouldest enter under my roof: Wherefore neither thought I myself worthy to come unto thee: but say in a word, and my servant shall be healed. For I also am a man set under authority, having under me soldiers, and I say unto one, Go, and he goeth; and to another, Come, and he cometh; and to my servant, Do this, and he doeth it. When Jesus heard these things, he marvelled at him, and turned him about, and said unto the people that followed him, I say unto you, I have not found so great faith, no, not in Israel. Luke 7:2-9

Mark 2:2-5, 10-12

Matthew 15:22-28

Notice that in all three of these passages, the people had to act on their faith and come to Jesus. He didn't go seeking them out at their homes. They had a need and, believing that He could meet that need, they moved by faith and searched Him out.

The faith and works of Mary (mother of Jesus)

And the angel said unto her, Fear not, Mary: for thou hast found favour with God.

And Mary said, Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word. And the angel departed from her.

And Mary said, My soul doth magnify the Lord, And my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour. For he hath regarded the low estate of his handmaiden: for, behold, from henceforth all generations shall call me blessed. For he that is mighty hath done to me great things; and holy is his name. And his mercy is on them that fear him from generation to generation. He hath shewed strength with his arm; he hath scattered the proud in the imagination of their hearts. He hath put down the mighty from their seats, and exalted them of low degree. Luke 1:30, 38, 46-52

These are works of humility & the fear of God!

The following passages are examples of men who thought they had the works of faith, but had faith only.

Then certain of the vagabond Jews, exorcists, took upon them to call over them which had evil spirits the name of the Lord Jesus, saying, We adjure you by Jesus whom Paul preacheth. And there were seven sons of one Sceva, a Jew, and chief of the priests, which did so. And the evil spirit answered and said, Jesus I know, and Paul I know; but who are ye? And the man in whom the evil spirit was leaped on them, and overcame them, and prevailed against them, so that they fled out of that house naked and wounded. Acts 19:13-16

Matthew 17:6, 15-21

Numbers 14:40-45

IN CONCLUSION:

How do we have works of faith that God honors & will work through, for the sake of others? We know that we should follow the examples of the Old and New Testament men and women, as well as those who we have seen and have been assured of, that their faith with works is worthy of our consideration. Also, we know we have to obey all of God's word to be accepted (i.e., all that He has give to us, with understanding.) I am going to share a few scriptures that help explain to us how to have confidence that God will work His will through us for others.

Beloved, if our heart condemn us not, then have we confidence toward God. And whatsoever we ask, we receive of him, because we keep his commandments, and do those things that are pleasing in his sight. I John 3:21-22

There is a lot of information in those two verses:

• If our conscience is void of offense toward God, (our heart condemns us not)
  
• If we keep His commandments.
  
• And do those things that are pleasing in His sight,
  

Then whatsoever we ask we receive of Him.

And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us: And if we know that he hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions that we desired of him. I John 5:14-15

• We must ask according to His will, to know that He heareth us.
  

For in Jesus Christ neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision; but faith which worketh by love. Galatians 5:6

• We must have love for our faith to work.
  

I Corinthians 13:1-13 Charity never fails! True love is from God!