Hello Lightbrights! Welcome to this new blog series wherein the next 5 days we will discuss the promises of God laid out for every believer! When I began to explore God's word and all the promises given to us I got excited and wanted every believer to know they have these same promises as we navigate thru the seasons of life.
Today's topic is in my humble opinion, the most important of them all, and that is the Promise of Salvation. Have you ever just sat and thought about your salvation? Have you ever pondered about how it wasn't us who chose Him on our own accord , but that HE drew us to Him to save us and give us a new life in Christ? The bible gives us many scriptures about salvation, the promise of it and what comes with it for every believer who accepts this free gift, let's explore that and see what God says.
First we see God promised salvation to all who believe on His son. Romans 1:16-17 says, "For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek." It was the hearing of the gospel, recognizes our sinful state and turning to Jesus, where our first promises of new life begin. Acts 4: 12 tells us, "Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved."
Also in Titus 3:5 , the word tells us " ..He saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit". We have this assurance as believers that no matter what we have done, or how long we done it for- if we yield and repent to God, and believe on His Son Jesus, we would be saved. This is the GOOD NEWS OF THE GOSPEL.
Every religion teaches that there is something outside of yourself that you must do to reach heaven or Nirvana or Paradise. They each have a set of rituals, or steps one must do in order to have peace, joy and another better life to come... OR they teach there is nothing after this life, so it doesn't really matter what you do here.
Christianity is the only religion about The One who says He is the only way, and that all one must do is repent(which means to basically turn from your wrongdoing and your own way of living life) and believe that He(Jesus) paid the eternal sin debt that we could never repay. He calls us to believe on that and we will be saved. And if you believe that- He would give you the Helper- the Holy Spirit which will seal you, empower you to obey and to overcome sin, and present you faultless on the day of revealing of Christ Jesus to the whole world!
Jesus was very exclusive as the way of salvation yet inclusive that it is for every one who believes in Him and Him only as the way back to God. Meaning, He came for everyone and that everyone who believes will be saved.
This is also a good time to discuss what the bible reveals about predestination of the salvation of the believer. Romans 8:29-30 states“For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified.” In more basic terms, this verse expresses in a way that God is outside of time- He created it. So it's not crazy to believe God foreknew you and me . He sees each one of our past, present and futures all at the same time and He knew us before we were created. This can be confusing for some, but if you think of God in eternal terms it really is quite simple. Part of the promise of salvation is the choosing, the calling and the justifying of us and every believer- all to the glory of God and His perfect will.
He predestined us to be adopted as his sons (and daughters) through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will" -Ephesians 1:5.
The reason this is so great and I wanted to start with this promise is because it gives assurance that the same God who saved you -can and will also keep and preserve your salvation in Him.
One who is truly saved cannot lose their salvation. You are secure in Christ Jesus.
Does it mean you will not sin? No. But sin does not overtake you and it is not a lifestyle that the believer is a slave to any longer- once saved by grace thru Jesus Christ.
If you could lose your salvation- then how could it be a promise you could believe in, live for or die for ? The apostles willingly died because they believed they were so secure in Jesus.
Many of our Christian brothers and sisters around the world, are being persecuted, tortured and killed for their faith and salvational belief in Jesus Christ.
Finally, in John 15:16 Jesus said , "You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit—fruit that will last—and so that whatever you ask in my name the Father will give you.
What better promise than one that came direct from the lips of our Savior?
Believer, I want you to be assured of your salvation.
Do not let the enemy come in the form of lies from people, or even yourself, that your salvation is not secure and you can lose it.
Our God is a promise keeper. He saved us and will keep us, give us strength to live holy unto Him and to bear much fruit to the glory of His name.
Now that you know you are secure, what will you do with this information?
Will you take it as a license to sin? May that definitely not be the case, as we know as new creations in Christ we don't live in sin, or walk in it or let it rule our lives.
We submit to God, and in that action, the devil will flee from us.
I hope you take time to ponder your salvation. Rejoice in it. Thank the Father for it and allow the Holy Spirit to work thru you. Let your confidence be not in yourself but in Christ Jesus.
If you have indeed trusted in the finished work of Jesus Christ on the cross for the forgiveness of your sin, then your ARE Saved, Sanctified and filled with the Holy Ghost!!!
Believe in and walk in it!
See you tomorrow - Day 2 - The Promise of God to Supply our needs!
Until next time,
Keep Shining!
Kee Isadore
Scripture to meditate on
John 6:44 - No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws them, and I will raise them up at the last day.
Jeremiah 1: 5- “Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, before you were born I set you apart; I appointed you as a prophet to the nations.”
Ephesians 2: 8-9 -For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast.
Isaiah 12:2 -Surely God is my salvation; I will trust and not be afraid. The LORD, the LORD himself, is my strength and my defense ; he has become my salvation.”
Titus 2:11 -For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people
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