Bob Cassell, Messenger
It is essential to possess a clear understanding of the word SALVATION. It is one of the most important words in our vocabulary.
Much of the information that comes into our lives must be clarified to ensure that the sender’s meanings, not just the words, are understood. Words do have definitions, but people tend to assign different meanings to them. People generally know what they mean but don’t always clearly say what they mean. We are truly meaning creatures, and we attempt to assign meanings to words to ensure that what we say to others is what we mean and is what they understand. We send and receive messages to others, and both the sender and the receiver want to understand what is being conveyed in the message. Sometimes it is easy and obvious, and at other times it is difficult or impossible. Most of us want to come to a clear understanding of the words and terms that are conveyed and exchanged with other people.
The term salvation as used in this writing must be clearly understood. Webster defines salvation as “the act of saving or delivering, preservation from destruction or calamity; l liberation from the bondage and results of sin; the deliverance from sin and eternal death.”
According to this definition, salvation is a liberation from sin and all its consequences. It is a preservation from destruction or calamity. Because it is a preservation, salvation cannot be a mere temporary experience; it is something that endures.
Salvation includes more than liberation from the bondage and results of sin and our preservation from destruction. It also includes that which God does to bring man into a perfect standing which he has purposed for all who have been saved from the consequences of sin.
In every age salvation from the consequences of sin and deliverance from eternal damnation are identical. In no age does God temporarily save a person and then permit a lapse back into a former lost condition.
Those who are saved out of the present church age are unique members of the body of Christ. This age began after the death, resurrection and ascension of Jesus Christ and will close just before the tribulation period begins.
Who now rejoice in my sufferings for you and fill up that which is behind of the afflictions of Christ in my flesh for his body’s sake, which is the Church (Col 1:24). Those in this body are to be:
Predestinated to be conformed to the image of the Son of God (Romans (8:29). These unique members of his royal family are to:
Become one with God the Father even as He and the Son are one (John 17:21).
This is the most exalted position to which any of God’s creatures shall ever be elevated. This amazing term SALVATION when applied to this age includes all that God does for humankind in delivering them from the consequences of sin, conforming them to the image of His own Son, and in bringing them into a perfect union with Himself.
This amazing SALVATION is the greatest possible grace gift ever given to humankind. It is the greatest word that has ever been written or has ever passed over human lips. It is no wonder the Bible terms it “so great salvation” (Hebrews 2:3).
I have often termed the freeness of salvation as, “All that God is free to do for you on the sole basis of the accomplishments of Jesus Christ on the cross. To the contrary; Legalism is Man by man’s efforts seeking to gain the favor or approbation of God through his weak and futile human efforts.”
It is astonishing that in this present age, this stupendous and superabounding grace in salvation is offered to those who are now living. This salvation is exceedingly great also because of what it includes. It includes a position that is the highest to which anyone can be exalted, it is an eternal position in Christ who is our life.
In order to place the saved one in this highly exalted position, God does many things for and with that person. He delivers from the reign of Satan and the power of darkness. He redeems from the curse or penalty of God’s righteous law. All trespasses are forgiven; the saved one becomes reconciled to God and is brought into a state of peace with him.
Man by God’s grace becomes reconciled to God; God does not become reconciled to man. However, God, because of the finished work of Christ on the Cross, is propitiated or satisfied with his complete, final, and finished work of redemption. The new believer is born again of GOD and has everlasting life. He is made a vital part of a new creation in Christ Jesus. The Holy Spirit is given to dwell within him forever, and this new creation in Christ is permanently sealed by this same Spirit. This believer now has a perfect position before God because of the total merits of Jesus Christ and is placed under the safe keeping and providing care of God for all spiritual needs.
A special provision is also made for deliverance from sin during the believer’s life on earth by the confession of any sin pursuant to (1 John 1:9). If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
The believer becomes subject to the fathers’ chastening and will be disciplined to do those things that are right, good, and acceptable to God; all which are designed to redound to the Glory of the Son.
Deliverance of the body of corruption and mortality will surely be realized as the believer is conformed to the image of the Son of God and made one with God the Father (Romans 8:29). How amazing it will be to stand before God in perfect love and delivered safely throughout all eternity.
All of these things belong to the new believer and are a vital part of God’s salvation for which HE has prepared and offers freely during this special age of the church. In all of these things there is a unique greatness that cannot be fathomed by the human mind. However, graciously these amazing things may be possessed personally by simply accepting this super abounding grace and truth that is centered exclusively in the person of the Lord Jesus Christ.
Is this so great salvation available for all of Humanity? Let’s simply read a few passages from God’s word and then meditate or contemplate on their meanings and application to individuals.
“Behold the lamb of God which taketh away the sin of the world” (John 1:29).
“For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life” (John 3:16).
“For the bread of God is he which cometh down from heaven, and giveth life unto the world” (John 6:33).
“And if I be lifted up from the earth (on the cross) will draw all men unto me” (John 12:32).
“… by the righteousness of one (Jesus Christ) the free gift came upon all men unto justification of life” (Romans 5:18).
“God was in Christ, (on the cross) reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing (counting) their trespasses unto them” (2 Corinthians 5:19).
“Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the (full) knowledge of the truth” (1 Timothy 2:4).
“Who gave himself a ransom for all” (1 Timothy 2:6).
“We trust in the living God, who is the Savior of all men, specially of those that believe” (1 Timothy 4:10).
“For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men” (Titus 2:11).
“Jesus … was made a little lower that the angels … that he by the grace of God should taste death for every man” (Hebrews 2:9).
“And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world” (1 John 2:2).
“And we have seen and do testify that the Father sent the Son to be the Savior of the world” (1 John 4:14).
All of these scriptures teach the availability of salvation to every member of the human race. They do not, however, teach that all shall be saved. It tragically is possible to reject and even neglect this so great salvation and be lost forever.
“How shall we escape if we neglect so great a salvation, which at first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed by those who heard him” (Hebrews 2:3).
This so great salvation culminates in nothing less than an eternity, and it is available to all as it is accomplished on behalf of mankind by God through Jesus Christ. Amazingly, it is offered as a free gift to everyone who will accept it. The only condition imposed upon mankind is to acknowledge their own individual need and accept it as a free gift.
“For the wages of sin is death but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord” (Romans 6:23).
“For by means of Grace are you 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).
“And whosoever will, let him take the water of life FREELY” (Revelation 22:17b).
I would be remiss if I did not call your attention to the first part of this verse i.e., “And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely” Revelation 22:17a.
Please take notice! It is you who are to come! To Where? To whom? “Come unto me” (yes this is you who are to come) and to where is to Him. What will happen when you come to him? “I will give you rest” You will not find rest in any other. You will find no rest for your restless soul until you have come to him, accept him as the gift of eternal life, and realize him as the exclusive source of your salvation. He is the eternal rest for your soul. He is your peace!
The best works of humankind will never provide rest, assurance, or the soul peace of having eternal life. Because rest, assurance, peace, and eternal life do not come from frail and vacillating human beings. Notice here in Titus the source of eternal life is not from the best efforts of mankind.
This stable, forever eternal life comes here… “After the kindness and love of GOD OUR SAVIOR toward man!” (Verse 4), therefore it is…
“Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy, he saved us, by THE WASHING OF REGENERATION, AND RENEWING OF THE HOLY SPIRIT; which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Savior. That having been JUSTIFIED by his Grace, (not by works) we should be made heirs according to the hope (a confident expectation) of eternal life” (Titus 3:4-7).
You may be thinking that you are not ready. You are correct! You are not ready! But his admonition is not about getting ready, it is “BE READY for the Son of Man comes in an hour you know not” (Matthew 24:44).
You will without any doubt be in eternity, but in your final state if you are without Jesus Christ, you most certainly will not be ready! In this state it is too late, as there can be no dependence upon Him. Faith cannot be exercised because only a stark, burning, and hopeless reality remain. Therefore, Hell awaits as it becomes nothing more or less than the fulfillment of man’s desire and the ultimate consequence of his own action. It is his just recompence and there is no way of escape! Why would anyone with at least some sense of awareness not run immediately to Jesus Christ and trust him to save their eternal soul?
“Come unto me, all you that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28).
“But as many as received Him to them gave He power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on His name” (John 1:12).
“Call upon Me, and I WILL answer thee, and show thee great and mighty things, which you know not” (Jeremiah 33:3).
“But to him that worketh not, but believes on Him that justifies the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness” (Romans 4:5).
“Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge Him and He will direct thy paths” (Proverbs 3:4,5).
Let me ask you, just when should you call on the name of the Lord and truly depend on him to save your eternal soul? It was not yesterday, yesterday is gone, and this day will pass rapidly. Then suddenly, it will be tomorrow. Unless you consider the eternal destiny of your Soul today, tomorrow might not come.
“Behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation” (2 Corinthians 6:2).
“How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation” (Hebrews 2:3)?
