SALVATION
Let us begin by understanding each other.
When we speak about salvation we are not talking
about religion.
Many people suppose that Salvation and Religion
are the same thing, but that is a mistake.
Salvation and Religion are by no means
identical. You may have as great deal of
Religion without having a bit of Salvation.
It is true that the Bible speaks of as Religion
which is "pure and undefiled," but even this
Religion is not Salvation, but only a product
of Salvation. The Bible frequently warns against
Religion as a substitute for Salvation.
The dictionary will tell you that the word
"Religion" is derived from a root meaning
"to heed" or "to have a care." It is the
opposite of "neglect."
It is a good thing to take heed and have a
care for the things of God, but even this
will avail nothing unless it leads to
Salvation.
Religion by itself is death.
Salvation is Life.
How is Salvation Obtained?
No one gets Salvation by "getting Religion."
Nor by joining the Church. Nor by turning
over a new leaf and trying to serve God.
Nor be praying. Nor by confessing his sins.,
(The promise of 1 John 1:9 is for those
already saved). Nor by sorrow for sin.
Nor by asking God to forgive his sins. By
none of these means is Salvation obtained.
Salvation is obtained through a definite receiving
of the Lord Jesus Christ as one's personal Saviour.
The instant this is really done, Salvation is an
accomplished fact. This is shown by John 1:11,12.
"He came unto His own, and his own received
Him not. But as many as received Him, to them
gave He power to become the sons of God,
even to them which believe on His name."
The next verse goes on to tell what happened
to those who "receive Him," that is, those who
"believed on His name." They were at once
"born...of God."
Just so it is today. As many as receive the
Lord Jesus Christ as their personal Savior, giving
up all else and cleaving only to Him for
Salvation, are instantly and forever saved.
His own declaration of John 5:24 stands good
through all time; ---
"Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that hearth My
word, and believeth on Him that sent Me,
hath everlasting life, and shall not come into
condemnation, but is passed from death undo
life."
Salvation is in Three Tenses
There is the past tense. 'When a man takes the Lord
Jesus as his own Savior, he may at once and ever
after truly say, "I am saved!" Putting the matter in
the past tense as to the time, he may truly say
"Then and there I was saved!" This work is
instantaneous; it is Salvation from the penalty of sin.
There is the present tense. When a man is born again,
the Holy Spirit begins to work in him, both to will and
to do of God's good pleasure, and to conform him to
the image of Christ. This work is progressive; it is
Salvation from the power of sin.
There is the future tense. When the Lord Jesus comes
again it will be "apart from sin, unto Salvation" (Heb. 9:28)
It is then that we who are now the sons of God will be
instantly changed into the image of Christ: We shall be
like Him, for we shall see Him as He is." (1 John 3"2).
This is instantaneous; it is Salvation from the presence
of sin.
[Reprint of W.L.P.'s article.]
THE CHOICE IS UP TO YOU
THE CHOICE IS UP TO YOU
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