SALVATION
A. A WORD OF ETERNAL CHARM
- All Heaven is interested in it:
- God, our heavenly Father - John 3:16; 1 Tim. 2:3; Rom. 8:31- 33
- Jesus Christ our Lord and Master - Luke 19:10; Matt. 1:21; Gal. 2:20
- The Holy Spirit - Rev. 22:17; John 16:13; Rom. 8:26
- The Angels - 1 Pet. 1:12; Luke 15:10; Heb. 1:14
- It is the most inclusive word in the Bible:
- It ties the penitent sinner to God, the Lord Jesus Christ, and the Angels
- It provides forgiveness of sin - Mi. 7:18, 19; 1 John 1:7-9; Rom. 3:24; 8:31-33
- It offers complete deliverance from the power of sin and death - John 8:36; Acts 26:18; Heb. 2:14-16; 7:25, 26
- It delivers from the eternal consequences of sin - 2 Cor. 5:17; Mi. 7:18, 19
- It promises eternal life to all who accept Jesus Christ as their personal Saviour - John 3:16; 1 John 5:10-12; Rom. 6:23
B. SALVATION IS, HOWEVER, LIKE ALL OTHER BLESSINGS, CONDITIONAL
- Man's cooperation is one of the basic conditions:
- "Wilt thou be made whole?" - John 5:6
- "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ" - Acts 16:29-31
- "Seek ye first the Kingdom of God and His righteousness" - Matt. 6:33
- "If ye be willing and obedient" - Isa. 1:19
- We must acknowledge that we are in need of salvation:
- "Lord, save me" - Matt. 14:30
- "O wretched man that I am!" - Rom. 7:24
- "Lord, remember me" - Luke 23:42-44
- Heartfelt repentance and complete surrender is a basic condition
to salvation:
- "Heal my soul, for I have sinned" - Ps. 41:4
- "I abhor myself and repent in dust and ashes" - Job 42:6
- "For godly sorrow worketh repentance" - 2 Cor. 7:10
- "Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins" - Acts 2:38
- Humble confession is still another condition to salvation: 1 John 1:7-9; Matt. 6:12
- Simple and childlike faith in Christ Jesus is still another condition: Acts 8:37; 16:30
- Obedience is another condition: Rom. 5:10; 6:14-16; Gal. 3:27; John 15:10; Matt. 19:16
C. SALVATION FOR THE GREATEST SINNER IS THE MAGNA CARTA FOR PENITENT
SINNERS
- A statement by Paul will dramatize this wonderful truth: "This is a faithful saying; and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief." - 1 Tim. 1:15
- Some of the trophies of salvation:
- The woman of Samaria - John 4:23-29
- Mary Magdalene, out of whom the Lord cast out seven devils - Mark 16:9
- The harlot of Jericho - Josh. 6:25
- The thief on the cross - Luke 23:42-44
- Saul of Tarsus - Acts 9:1-14
- My own sinful and unworthy self
- The story of salvation will unfold to the universe until it will become the theme of the ages; until it will fill the hearts of all creatures in the universe: Rev. 12:10