February 5th, 2010 by John
For many years I have been largely ignorant of reformed theology due to a lack of doctrinally sound teaching throughout much of the charismatic church, which has been my background for most of my Christian life. Since the Lord woke me up to this fact however, I have been utterly fascinated and amazed how much the Bible clearly teaches us concerning the mysterious ways of the Lord, as He works in the lives of believers for their salvation. Whereas once I groped around in the dark to figure out the mysteries of God, as though this were some noble act of faith. Instead now I have the Light of His Word, and can see clearly, and without being strongly affected by my own personal opinions, what God declares to be the truth on such matters regarding our eternal salvation.
One of the key weaknesses I can personally testify that exists within the charismatic type churches, is an abundant lack of assurance of salvation amongst the congregation. This would rarely be admitted to be so, but I am sure I am not alone in feeling this to be true. Probably one of the greatest things that cements this in my mind, is the utter ignorance, and mostly willing ignorance, with regards to the wrath of God against sin.
It is not my desire to enter into argument concerning the merits of charismatic doctrine here, but rather to highlight clearly what the Bible has to say about the salvation of sinners by the grace of God. For the true nature of salvation is far removed from the idea of salvation spoken to me when I first came to the Lord, and that which I have heard spoken to others during the years since. In general, the thing that has been glossed over in the majority of my Christian life, is that rather than being a simple one off point in history, true salvation is a life long process, that is initiated and completed by the Lord, and the Lord alone. The part of the believer being a total and willing submission to His will and purpose, every part of their life being willingly transferred to the ownership of Christ, and for His glory alone.
In this first article I would like to begin to highlight this process for anyone who is willing to earnestly consider this for themselves, and in so doing, reap the true assurance of faith that comes through total submission to the truth proclaimed in Scripture.
Part One – The Call of the Gospel:
Although opinions do differ within the Body of Christ concerning certain aspects of our salvation in Christ, I do believe there are fundamental aspects of our salvation that are beyond dispute according to the Holy Bible and what it teaches us. As the first of these areas are highlighted, it becomes glaringly obvious that much of the “seeker sensitive” or “purpose driven” church, have strayed far away from what the call of the Gospel message actually means in the first place.
In many instances the Gospel is tailored to suit the felt needs of the surrounding community. Top priority is given that the hearer may find a hope for a better life, a greater sense of purpose, a sense of self worth or self esteem, and deliverance from ill health and poverty. And whilst it would be ridiculous to suggest God does not bless His children with such things as He pleases, we must understand that He does so purely from the riches of His grace and mercy, and of His own accord. And whilst these things remain at the top of our list of priorities, we shall never be truly fit to hear and receive the Gospel in faith.
Rather than appealing to our own felt needs, the Gospel message is a clearly definable message that relates to the hearer the true relationship between a Holy God and sinful man. It first of all makes us acutely aware of our status as a sinner, and as such, the way in which we are utterly deserving of His wrath.
So, as much as is in me, I am ready to preach the gospel to you who are in Rome also. For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek. For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, “THE JUST SHALL LIVE BY FAITH.” For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, because what may be known of God is manifest in them, for God has shown it to them.
(Rom 1:15-19)
As it is written: “THERE IS NONE RIGHTEOUS, NO, NOT ONE; THERE IS NONE WHO UNDERSTANDS; THERE IS NONE WHO SEEKS AFTER GOD. THEY HAVE ALL TURNED ASIDE; THEY HAVE TOGETHER BECOME UNPROFITABLE; THERE IS NONE WHO DOES GOOD, NO, NOT ONE.” “THEIR THROAT IS AN OPEN TOMB; WITH THEIR TONGUES THEY HAVE PRACTICED DECEIT”; “THE POISON OF ASPS IS UNDER THEIR LIPS”; “WHOSE MOUTH IS FULL OF CURSING AND BITTERNESS.” “THEIR FEET ARE SWIFT TO SHED BLOOD; DESTRUCTION AND MISERY ARE IN THEIR WAYS; AND THE WAY OF PEACE THEY HAVE NOT KNOWN.” “THERE IS NO FEAR OF GOD BEFORE THEIR EYES.” Now we know that whatever the law says, it says to those who are under the law, that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may become guilty before God.
(Rom 3:10-19)
Secondly the Gospel makes it abundantly clear that the only hope for any man, is to put their trust in the work that God has carried out for the redemption of mankind. There are no alternatives, no second options, but simply the command to yield to His truth, that He has set in place one Sacrifice that is acceptable for the justification of all who believe.
Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.
(John 14:6)
for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus, whom God set forth as a propitiation by His blood, through faith, to demonstrate His righteousness, because in His forbearance God had passed over the sins that were previously committed, to demonstrate at the present time His righteousness, that He might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus.
(Romans 3:23-26)
For the Scripture says, “WHOEVER BELIEVES ON HIM WILL NOT BE PUT TO SHAME.” For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek, for the same Lord over all is rich to all who call upon Him. For “WHOEVER CALLS ON THE NAME OF THE LORD SHALL BE SAVED.”
(Romans 10:11-13)
In an over simplified way, this is the core message of the Gospel, and what we as Christians are commanded by Christ Himself to proclaim. Namely that we are all guilty sinners, we all find ourselves rightly under the wrath of God because of our sin, and the only way out from this place of condemnation is by believing and trusting in the One God sent as an acceptable sacrifice for us, Jesus Christ.
And He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned.
(Mark 16:15-16)
Christians have no obligation of obedience to this command of Christ, other than the faithful proclamation of His Gospel. For the outcome of our preaching is completely out of our hands, and the faith to accept Christ comes by the hearing of His Word.
For “WHOEVER CALLS ON THE NAME OF THE LORD SHALL BE SAVED.” How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher? And how shall they preach unless they are sent? As it is written: “HOW BEAUTIFUL ARE THE FEET OF THOSE WHO PREACH THE GOSPEL OF PEACE, WHO BRING GLAD TIDINGS OF GOOD THINGS!” But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Isaiah says, “LORD, WHO HAS BELIEVED OUR REPORT?” So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.
(Romans 10:13-17)
No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him; and I will raise him up at the last day.
(John 6:44)
When we begin to realise that the whole of salvation is of the Lord and Him alone, we can begin to step out of our habitual meddling, and attempts to make the Gospel message more acceptable to the masses.
From start to finish, God chooses those He will save:
Moreover whom He predestined, these He also called; whom He called, these He also justified; and whom He justified, these He also glorified.
(Romans 8:30)
For He says to Moses, “I WILL HAVE MERCY ON WHOMEVER I WILL HAVE MERCY, AND I WILL HAVE COMPASSION ON WHOMEVER I WILL HAVE COMPASSION.” So then it is not of him who wills, nor of him who runs, but of God who shows mercy.
(Romans 9:15-16)
He is the one who calls them from death to life, and gifts them with the very faith to believe upon Christ for salvation:
And you He made alive, who were dead in trespasses and sins,
(Ephesians 2:1)
For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast.
(Ephesians 2:8-9)
And that which God has started, He is faithful to complete, and guard from every power of evil:
being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ;
(Philippians 1:6)
For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
(Romans 8:38-39)
The conclusion to this is that, if Christians are willing to faithfully proclaim the Gospel message of Christ crucified for sinful man. And are unwilling to shy away from being used as a tool in God’s hand to expose the sinfulness of man for what it truly is; then the message preached will truly be the power of God for salvation unto all who believe, and those who accept and believe will not be deceived into first believing a different gospel.
Rom 1:15-19
(15) So, as much as is in me, I am ready to preach the gospel to you who are in Rome also.
(16) For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek.
(17) For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, “THE JUST SHALL LIVE BY FAITH.”
(18) For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness,
(19) because what may be known of God is manifest in them, for God has shown it to them.
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Hi John,
found your site via a Google alert on evangelism.
Good to see such a site as yours in the UK.
Check out my site http://www.whatisthegospel.org.uk and my healing/evangleism blog http://jesushealstoday99.wordpress.com/