Saved...What I'm Being Saved From?
There are many churches who have a basic knowledge and understanding of salvation, but, when it comes to the full scope of what salvation is as it relates to what believers are being saved from is that they are left wondering what does it mean to being saved from what? I find it quite appalling that many of our evangelical churches today especially that of its own leadership fail to give such clarity and understanding concerning this vital doctrine of salvation. At worst it gives people a wrap sense of the Sovereignty of God in salvation, that of the assurance and security of the believer's salvation experience (Jn. 6:38, 44; 2 Cor. 5:17; [Jn. 10:28-29]). The fact of the matter is that unless God's people know what they are being saved from then there is no way that they can understand the process of sanctification in there day by day walk and relationship with Jesus Christ. Even in life's trials and circumstances that many of God's people have been made to believe that they are helpers in helping God in their sanctification. In so many words the goal of the Christian who are entrap by legalism to strive and to work effortlessly their own sanctification without realizing it is the Spirit of Christ that lives within us to live a life pleasing unto the Lord as to the believer's total yieldedness unto the Holy Spirit. To live out the Christian life within our own strength or self-efforts is to lose heart based upon such rules and regulations of man-made standards and self-righteousness (Rom. 10:1-3, 4).
Throughout this particular article I will begin by asking the question "Saved...What I'm Being Saved From?" First, the truly elect of God are saved by the grace of God through faith in Jesus Christ (Eph. 2:5, 8). In so many words the truly elect is saved by grace alone, through faith alone, by Christ alone without any human works or merit (Eph. 2:9). The truly saved have been saved, but, the process of our salvation is that we are being saved (Rom. 7:14-25). Secondly, the process of our sanctification is a day-by-day experience by which the truly saved are frail when it comes to our conformity to Christ. Because of our frailty does not give indication that the truly saved are not saved nor experience salvation in Christ, but, the goal is to be conform to Christ by which to mature us in our walk and relationship with Jesus Christ. Many times God uses life's trials, experiences, and circumstances by which to rely completely upon Christ; not within ourselves to live out this Christian life. There are times by which God's people are going to experience spiritual defeat and failure within there own spiritual walk and relationship with the Lord by which it is necessary to make such daily confession of our sins before the Lord (1 Jn. 1:9). Failure in a person's spiritual walk and relationship with Christ is no indication of total defeat, but, it is a way to teach many of us as God's people to rely totally upon the Lord to help us in the process of our sanctification. There is no such thing as "instantaneous" sanctification, but, the process of sanctification by which to mature us as believers in our relationship with Christ. The legality of legalism is to demonstrate such outward form of holiness through reading the Bible, fasting, praying, abstain from certain sins, incantation, castration of the flesh, speaking in tongues or to build one's spirit in one's most holy faith, but it is a false form of personal holiness and self-righteousness by which it thwarts the whole process of the sanctification of the believer's life (Gal. 2:20). Thirdly, even though the process of sanctification is at work in the lives of God's people, but, complete sanctification will be accomplished as we appear before God's divine glory and presence (Rom. 8:18-23). There is no need for the Church to lose heart because we will all appear in God's glory and presence where we will no longer experience many of the struggles and hardships we experience in this life. Praise the Lord, Hallelujah.
The truly elect are saved by the grace of God through faith in Jesus Christ (Eph. 2:5, 8). It is very difficult for many of God's people to accept the fact that there salvation is God's Free Gift of salvation in Jesus Christ (Rom. 6:23b). It is not something that the believer can earn or work in order to compensate God's free Gift of salvation. If in fact people can earn their salvation based upon such performance, works of righteousness, and personal holiness then the death by which Christ died for the elect is insufficient to saved as well as secure that of one's own salvation. There is nothing that believers can do to earn God's free Gift of salvation nor contribute to the process of salvation in and of itself. Salvation is a work of God on behalf of sinners; not man saving himself. Eternal life is eternal life by which it is impossible for a believer to lose his or her salvation by which it was accomplished at the cross of Christ. We are kept by the power of God through faith in Jesus Christ by which our salvation is secured in Christ (Jn. 6:38, 44; 10:28-29). Not only is our salvation secured in Christ, but, we as believers have the assurance of our salvation (2 Cor. 5:17).
The process of the believer's sanctification is a day-by-day experience by which the goal is to be in conformity to Christ (Gal. 2:20). Paul in Galatians 2:20 says, "It is no longer I that lives, but, it is Christ that lives in me." As believers we cannot live out this Christian life within our own strength nor self-efforts simply because of indwelling sin. Even though we are saved by grace through faith in Jesus Christ does not teach the eradication of our sin nature, but, to recognize that even in our daily struggle to live a life pleasing unto the Lord is that we must yield ourselves unto the Spirit of God. As the believer totally yield himself or herself unto the Spirit of God they can experience spiritual victory. Also the apostle Paul admonish us as believers to be "filled" with the Holy Spirit (Eph. 5:18). To be "filled" with the Spirit is a repeated experience by which believers must ask God to fill them with the Holy Spirit. I can say from experience that as I totally yield myself unto the Spirit of God by being "filled" with the Spirit is to live in total complete spiritual victory within my own personal walk and relationship with the Lord. There are times by which I as a believer experience spiritual defeat and failure within my own spiritual and personal walk with the Lord, but, I have come to realize and to accept the fact that I live in a fallen world by which I also struggle with other believers who have experience such similar struggles. There is a spiritual warfare that is warring against our new nature in Christ by which our sinful nature wont such complete control of our lives. It is the Spirit that goes against the flesh; the flesh against the Spirit by which it is a daily struggle for many of us as believers (Rom. 7:14-25). We live in a fallen world by which our sinful nature has not been eradicated. Even though we are saved does not guarantee that we are not going to experience struggles within our day-by-day walk and relationship with Jesus Christ. The legality of legalism belief is in living free from sin within so as to live a life of sinless perfectionism. The apostle John declares according to 1 John 1:8 where it says, "If we say that we have not sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not within us." Legalism, moral plank, and sacrilegious is at the heart of spiritual apostasy (1 Tim. 4:1).
Also even though the ongoing work of sanctification of the lives of God's people, but, complete sanctification is when believers appear before God's divine glory and presence (Rom. 8:18-23). What we experience in this life is not in comparison to the glory that is to be revealed in us. Even thou we may suffer in this life, but, it is nothing when we appear in the presence of the Lord (v. 18). Even though our temporary suffering in this life is far less than the weight of glory by which we as God's people will be in a better place. Not only does it gives believers hope, but, the assurance that it will take place. In Romans chapter 8 verse 19 is that not only does God's people awaits for the appearing to appear in heaven, but, that the whole of creation are in eager expectation of what is to appear. We live in a fallen world by which creation itself are not responsible for what happen concerning the Fall of Man, but as a result of Adam's sin and disobedience brought about the ruin of the human race (Rom. 5:12). Mankind is a sinner by nature by which they are prone to sin. The choice that people make today must bear the consequences of their own action whether it is by word or deed. As Paul says in Romans 3:23, "For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God." It is also amazing that because of the bad decisions of our political leaders that it adversely impact the lives of others. But in verse 21 of Romans chapter 8 that we witness the deterioration that is going on in this world that creation in itself will be liberated from its decay by which to experience "freedom and glory of the children of God." There will be a new earth and new heaven. The present earth and heaven will be burn with fire, but there will also be a new earth and new heaven by which God will reign wherein dwells righteousness.
Therefore also as Paul says according to Romans chapter 8 verse 22 where it says, "We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to this present time." As the Church we know for a fact we groan along with others in how that suffering of all sorts has in fact plagued us all. Many times as God's people we wonder when is all this going to end because the ways things are going it is about to come to its end. We are so eager for things to happen at a split second, but, it is in God's own timing. We can be assured that what we witness to as God's people even what we go through in this life that Christ will appear by which He is going to rapture the church as His Coming. As the apostle Paul therefore says in Romans chapter 8 verse 23 by saying, "Not only so, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption to son-ship, the redemption of our bodies." Also, therefore even though we as God's people groan within ourselves, but, we have the firstfruits of the Spirit eagerly waiting as adopted sons of God in anticipation of the redemption of our bodies." It is a blessed hope to know that one day will we all appear before God in His divine glory. The false notion of many Gnostics within the professing church today who believe that the human soul that is incarcerated in the flesh is to be liberated from the corruption that is in this world of decay. Gnosticism understanding of salvation is to recognize the spark of divinity within in order to attain salvation, but, the system of beliefs of such gnostic cult is that salvation is in "mere" knowledge or gnosis, but, that true biblical salvation is in the Person of Jesus Christ (Jn. 3:36). Freedom is not in such "mere" knowledge or "gnosis," but, true liberation and freedom is to appear in God's divine glory and presence those who have trusted Jesus Christ Only for their salvation.
The truly elect or those who are saved are being saved from the habits and dominion of sin so as to experience sanctification in this life so as to be conformed to Christ. Sanctification is a process by which to grow in the grace and knowledge of Christ, but, also to experience maturity in Christ. There is no such thing as "instantaneous" sanctification so as to live free from sin within, but, sanctification is a progressive ongoing work in the lives of God's people (Rom. 7:14-25). For any particular system, doctrine, cult, or sect that teach sinless perfectionism deceives one's own self (1 Jn. 1:8). Even though as God's elect those who are chosen by God unto salvation will experience spiritual defeat as well as spiritual victories, but, it is a way to for us to depend totally upon Christ to live out this Christian life not within our own strength or self-effort, but to allow the ongoing work of sanctification within our day-by-day everyday life. The goal of the ongoing work of sanctification in the lives of God's people is conformity to Christ and to mature our walk with the Lord.
Rev. Darryl L. Miller is the president & Chairman of "Darryl Miller International Ministries" in Atlanta, Georgia and travels extensively throughout the United States and continents. Darryl is the Podcast Host of "ASK DARRYL" which airs 24/7 @ www.spreaker.com/user/bishopoflyons. He is the bestselling author of his book, "The Prosperity Gospel: Where Did It Come From? Gnostic Source? Or Spiritual Revelation? As a pastor, apologist, conference speaker, and lecturer he is in great demand both in the United States and around the world. Darryl lives with his wife Vivian outside metro Atlanta with their puppy "Little Baby."
Also even though the ongoing work of sanctification of the lives of God's people, but, complete sanctification is when believers appear before God's divine glory and presence (Rom. 8:18-23). What we experience in this life is not in comparison to the glory that is to be revealed in us. Even thou we may suffer in this life, but, it is nothing when we appear in the presence of the Lord (v. 18). Even though our temporary suffering in this life is far less than the weight of glory by which we as God's people will be in a better place. Not only does it gives believers hope, but, the assurance that it will take place. In Romans chapter 8 verse 19 is that not only does God's people awaits for the appearing to appear in heaven, but, that the whole of creation are in eager expectation of what is to appear. We live in a fallen world by which creation itself are not responsible for what happen concerning the Fall of Man, but as a result of Adam's sin and disobedience brought about the ruin of the human race (Rom. 5:12). Mankind is a sinner by nature by which they are prone to sin. The choice that people make today must bear the consequences of their own action whether it is by word or deed. As Paul says in Romans 3:23, "For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God." It is also amazing that because of the bad decisions of our political leaders that it adversely impact the lives of others. But in verse 21 of Romans chapter 8 that we witness the deterioration that is going on in this world that creation in itself will be liberated from its decay by which to experience "freedom and glory of the children of God." There will be a new earth and new heaven. The present earth and heaven will be burn with fire, but there will also be a new earth and new heaven by which God will reign wherein dwells righteousness.
Therefore also as Paul says according to Romans chapter 8 verse 22 where it says, "We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to this present time." As the Church we know for a fact we groan along with others in how that suffering of all sorts has in fact plagued us all. Many times as God's people we wonder when is all this going to end because the ways things are going it is about to come to its end. We are so eager for things to happen at a split second, but, it is in God's own timing. We can be assured that what we witness to as God's people even what we go through in this life that Christ will appear by which He is going to rapture the church as His Coming. As the apostle Paul therefore says in Romans chapter 8 verse 23 by saying, "Not only so, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption to son-ship, the redemption of our bodies." Also, therefore even though we as God's people groan within ourselves, but, we have the firstfruits of the Spirit eagerly waiting as adopted sons of God in anticipation of the redemption of our bodies." It is a blessed hope to know that one day will we all appear before God in His divine glory. The false notion of many Gnostics within the professing church today who believe that the human soul that is incarcerated in the flesh is to be liberated from the corruption that is in this world of decay. Gnosticism understanding of salvation is to recognize the spark of divinity within in order to attain salvation, but, the system of beliefs of such gnostic cult is that salvation is in "mere" knowledge or gnosis, but, that true biblical salvation is in the Person of Jesus Christ (Jn. 3:36). Freedom is not in such "mere" knowledge or "gnosis," but, true liberation and freedom is to appear in God's divine glory and presence those who have trusted Jesus Christ Only for their salvation.
The truly elect or those who are saved are being saved from the habits and dominion of sin so as to experience sanctification in this life so as to be conformed to Christ. Sanctification is a process by which to grow in the grace and knowledge of Christ, but, also to experience maturity in Christ. There is no such thing as "instantaneous" sanctification so as to live free from sin within, but, sanctification is a progressive ongoing work in the lives of God's people (Rom. 7:14-25). For any particular system, doctrine, cult, or sect that teach sinless perfectionism deceives one's own self (1 Jn. 1:8). Even though as God's elect those who are chosen by God unto salvation will experience spiritual defeat as well as spiritual victories, but, it is a way to for us to depend totally upon Christ to live out this Christian life not within our own strength or self-effort, but to allow the ongoing work of sanctification within our day-by-day everyday life. The goal of the ongoing work of sanctification in the lives of God's people is conformity to Christ and to mature our walk with the Lord.
Rev. Darryl L. Miller is the president & Chairman of "Darryl Miller International Ministries" in Atlanta, Georgia and travels extensively throughout the United States and continents. Darryl is the Podcast Host of "ASK DARRYL" which airs 24/7 @ www.spreaker.com/user/bishopoflyons. He is the bestselling author of his book, "The Prosperity Gospel: Where Did It Come From? Gnostic Source? Or Spiritual Revelation? As a pastor, apologist, conference speaker, and lecturer he is in great demand both in the United States and around the world. Darryl lives with his wife Vivian outside metro Atlanta with their puppy "Little Baby."
Comments
Post a Comment