Bob Cassell, Messenger
Define the word SALVATION. Webster’s definition is 1. The act of saving or delivering; preservation from destruction or calamity. 2. Liberation from the bondage and results of sin; deliverance from sin and eternal death.
Salvation according to these definitions is a liberation from sin and all its consequences. It is a preservation from destruction and calamity.
Due to the eternal nature of salvation, it cannot be thought of as a passing temporary experience; it is a permanency that endures. Salvation, however, includes more than the bondage and liberation from sin or preservation from destruction. It also includes, with great perfection, what a perfect God does to perfectly bring lost and unsaved humankind into a perfect state, standing, or position in him.
In biblical history deliverance from the consequences of sin and everlasting death in the lake of fire are identical as both are eternal.
In no instance does God temporarily redeem individuals then lose control or allow them to revert back into the former lost condition. The individuals who are saved in the present age of grace (which began after the death, resurrection and ascension of Jesus Christ and will close just before the tribulation period begins) are predestined to be conformed to the image of the Son of God, Romans 8:29 For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren. These redeemed or saved ones are called ‘the body of Christ’. Col 1:24, 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.
The redeemed are also called ‘his church’ in Eph 5:25-27, Christ loved the Church and gave himself for it (vs 25) in vs 27 he presents to himself a glorious church not having spot or wrinkle.
These redeemed individuals are to become one with the Father even as He and the son are one, John 17:21, That they may be one; as thou, Father art in me, and I in thee, that they may also be one in us, that the world may believe that thou hast sent me.
This is the most exalted position to which any of God’s creatures shall ever ascend. The beautiful term salvation includes all that God is free to do for humanity on the basis of the accomplishments of Jesus Christ on the Cross.
This so great salvation is the greatest gift that has ever been extended to humanity. SALVATION is the greatest word that has ever been written or has passed over the lips of any liberated human being. It is not by accident that the bible calls it so great salvation.
How shall we escape if WE NEGLECT SO GREAT SALVATION. Hebrews 2:3.
In placing the redeemed into perfect position, in the perfect righteousness of Christ, God has accomplished many things. His position and condemnation in Adam is replaced with a new and perfect position in Christ. God in marvelous grace provides deliverance from the power of darkness and full redemption in Christ from the curse and penalty of God’s law. To be redeemed from the curse of the law means to be freed from following its rules and regulations for salvation. The law stirs up an awareness of sin but does nothing about it as the payment for all sin was made at the cross. For what the law could not do, in that it was weak, Jesus came forward and willingly paid for all sin and suffered its full penalty…. something no frail, weak and sinful human could ever do.
The purchase price of redemption was paid for on the cross, and at the point of salvation all trespasses are forgiven. The new believer is immediately reconciled to God and brought into a state of peace, perhaps for the first time in life. This new child of God is a new creation in Jesus Christ wherein the Holy Spirit indwells, seals, and guarantees eternal life. How very amazing is his amazing grace.
Ephesians 1: 13,14. In whom ye also trusted, after that you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in whom you also after that you believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of Promise.
This new believer is given a perfect standing in Jesus Christ and is placed under the preserving and providing care of God for all spiritual needs now, and forever. Provisions are also made for deliverance from the controlling power of sin during the remainder of the believers life. The new believer becomes the object of the intercession and advocacy of the Son of God before the Father.
There is deliverance from this body of corruption and an eternal future through the only savior, the righteous and holy redeemer, Jesus Christ. The believer is taught the word of God and as growth and development occurs that priviledged one will be conformed to the image of the Son of God and made one with God the Father. The new child of God will exist before God in perfect love and security throughout all eternity.
Notice the believer is secured throughout eternity and NO HUMAN (that’s you) HAS THE POWER TO TAKE FROM GOD THAT WHICH HE HOLDS IN HIS HAND, John 10:29. My Father which gave them me is greater than all and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father’s hand. How wonderful is this? It is super-abounding wonderful and then some! I have difficulty containing the splendor and reality of what God has done, is doing, and will continue to do! He saves completely and keeps perfectly for how long? Forever and ever! What a wonderful God… what a wonderful Savior! If this is crystal clear to you, how can you possibly contain yourself… I can’t!
All of these marvelous things belong within God’s plan of salvation for which He has prepared and offers feely to humanity through Jesus Christ. In and through all of these marvelous things there is a greatness that cannot be fathomed by the human mind. All of God’s graces and enabling gifts of service are possessed by the new believer at the moment of salvation and are a part of the entire salvation package that is centered solely in the Lord Jesus Christ. It is liberating to realize that salvation with absolute and instantaneous eternal life is not an experience, nor is it progressive, it is eternal in nature, and not wrought by man. It is wrought only by a perfect and holy God. It is God doing the work and man receiving the benefit of his work and resting in it for the entirety of his life.
Man will find the more works are performed for the free gift of eternal life, the deeper in debt he becomes… this gift of eternal life is in Christ and is accomplished by means of his grace and cannot be earned by imperfect, vacillating, frail human beings.
No works of any kind can merit the free gift of eternal life, or it could not be termed a gift and eternal. If works could be a contributing factor, in any way, eternal life would not be free; it would be a commodity to be purchased by human effort or good and will always be imperfect, inadequate, and incomplete.
Human works or obedience is not the cause of Salvation, it is the consequence of it.
The invitation for eternal life is directed to all; however, the invitation only beckons; it does not save the soul. Many are called, but few are chosen; those chosen are those who call on the Lord Jesus Christ to save their eternal soul.
Imagine you are looking at the entrance into Heaven! Carefully observe the invitation high on the entrance wall; it has a familiar bible reference, “whosoever will, may come.” Once inside the entrance into eternity you may look back and see emblazoned letters on the inside of the entrance, the following words set in pure translucent gold… “Predestined from the foundation of the world.”
Tragically, it is possible to reject and even neglect this so great salvation and be lost forever. Don’t let this happen to you! It can occur so easily. For bad things to occur well intentioned individuals must only do nothing.
How shall you escape if you neglect, delay or reject this so great salvation Hebrews 2:3.
Behold now is the accepted time and today is the day of salvation 2 Corinthians 6:2.
Not tomorrow, but today! Think about this verse of scripture:
The daylight is fading and the shadows of evening grow long, Jeremiah 6:4.
Notice the setting and rising sun and guarantee yourself you will see the next one. You can’t!
God gives you this moment and no promise of tomorrow. Boast not thyself of tomorrow for thou knowest not what a day may bring forth Proverbs 27:1. Don’t impose on his amazing grace and patience. You have no promise of tomorrow or even the next heartbeat. Therefore, run to the savior now and embrace him as your only hope of eternal life.
The Apostle Paul says to you in this moment of time, believe on the LORD JESUS CHRIST and YOU will be saved Acts 16:31.
