BUILDING ON A SOUND SALVATION
ARTICLE
We have written and taught much on what the Bible tells us we must do to have the victorious Christian life. This life has been called “Deeper Life”, “Life on the Higher Plane", “Triumphant Life”, “Crucified Life”, “Victorious Christian Life” etc. We call it both the “Spirit Filled Life” and the “Expected Christian Life.” In Ephesians 5:18 and Galatians 5:16, 25, it is described as the “Spirit-Filled Life.” We call it “expected” because it is simply the life God expects and enables normal Christians to live. How you can have this life is covered in depth in many of our books and studies offered in our Bible Studies & Bookstore and on Amazon.
But to get this life, there is another important teaching which must precede it; this is scriptural teaching and preaching on the biblical way to true salvation. Without this, there can be no sound, practical life application regarding experiential sanctification (the way we walk with God after salvation). Today in America, we see everything imaginable being presented as the Gospel. Jesus warns of this in Matthew 7:13-14. Unfortunately, professing church members are not questioned about their “salvation” experiences/testimonies—much less challenged. Sad to say, most nominal church members in America have never truly been born again. The clear evidence is their lack of fruit, particularly “spiritual fruit” described in Galatians 5:22, 25; 2:20. These professing Christians “in name only”, may be proponents of some form of religious social gospel or perhaps proclaim some amalgamated fashion of the gospel of salvation. They may be performing good works through self motivated consecrated flesh (Matt. 7:16), but, they have never become new creatures in Jesus Christ through the new birth.
Sadly, many church pastors are, in some
way or other, assuring these professing church members that they have true salvation. At best, some church pastors might mention that their members could be walking carnally and perhaps they may bring a message regarding the Laodicean church. Some may even describe their members as Christians who only need to decide to surrender all to Jesus and let Him run their lives. However, by far, the vast majority of pastors are only trying to get what the Bible describes as “goats” to live like “sheep”. Evidently, there is a serious problem in the heart of a professing Christian whose walk continues to be carnal without spiritual fruit. What is more appalling is the even greater problem in the heart of any pastor, who doesn’t know the difference. His own salvation is certainly questionable.
Sin and repentance, grace and faith, are basic Biblical teachings on salvation. Also, there must be a surrender of one’s whole heart and life to Jesus Christ. Salvation means a crucified and exchanged life, wherein Jesus becomes both Lord and Savior. Those who have been truly born again will, after salvation, then grow in maturity and learn how to progressively walk in Christ’s Lordship. At salvation, we accept Jesus as our personal Lord and Savior; after this, we embark on learning how to walk with Him as our Lord. It takes grace, faith and absolute surrender to get saved. It takes grace, faith and absolute surrender to walk saved and sanctified, set apart unto Him as Lord and Savior. Heart purity, holiness, peace, joy and the love of God through grace, mercy and faith mark the true believer!
Salvation, faith, love, righteousness, heart purity, the way of victory and Scriptural sanctification are all being perverted today. Each one affects the other. By this, the very character and nature of God, even the very Person of Jesus Christ, is perverted.
A PRAYER FOR SALVATION
“Lord, I believe You are alive and I believe You are the Savior.
I want You to be my Savior. I believe thatYou love me and have a wonderful
plan for my life. Lord, I confess that I am a sinner. I repent of my sins and ask You to forgive me of my sins. I receive Your forgiveness. Jesus, I receive You now into my heart by faith. I take You as my Lord and Savior. Take control of my life and make me the kind of person You want me to be. Jesus, I give you my whole heart and life now. It is no longer mine; it is Yours to do with as you please. Wholly, by faith,
I receive salvation and I thank you, Lord Jesus.”