"For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of His Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by His life." Romans 5:10
I am not saved by believing; I realize I am saved by believing. It is not repentance that saves me, repentance is the sign that I realize what God has done in Christ Jesus. The danger is to put the emphasis on the effect instead of on the cause. It is my obedience that puts me right with God, my consecration. Never! I am put right with God because prior to all, Christ died. When I turn to God and by belief accept what God reveals I can accept, instantly the stupendous Atonement of Jesus Christ rushes me into a right relationship with God; and by the supernatural miracle of God's grace I stand justified, not because I am sorry for my sin, not because I have repented, but because of what Jesus has done. The Spirit of God brings it with a breaking, all-over light, and I know, though I do not know how, that I am saved.
The salvation of God does not stand on human logic, it stands on the sacrificial Death of Jesus. We can be born again because of the Atonement of Our Lord. Sinful men and women can be changed into new creatures, not by their repentance or their belief, but by the marvellous work of God in Christ Jesus which is prior to all experience. The impregnable safety of justification and sanctification is God Himself. We have not to work out these things ourselves; they have been worked out by the Atonement. The supernatural becomes natural by the miracle of God; there is the realization of what Jesus Christ has already done - "It is finished."
My Utmost for His Highest
1 comment:
Until I understood the total depravity of man I never fully understood what it means to be saved. Sure, I always knew Christ was my Saviour and I always knew what I was saved from; eternal death. But I never looked deep into the truth that I did nothing, could do nothing, and never would do anything that could even come close to saving my own soul. This includes believing.
I cannot believe enough to prevent my soul from an eternity in hell. I cannot repent enough to salvage even the slightest portion of my life. I am depraved. I am unworthy to even think on the Lord without His grace and mercy.
And for whatever reason, God has chosen to include me in the body of Christ. For that, I have a full heart and a gratitude that cannot be explained nor understood. Again, Mr. Chambers says it best:
"The salvation of God does not stand on human logic, it stands on the sacrificial Death of Jesus."
My life has been spared by no work of my own. I have been saved from damnation only because God chose to do so. Who am I to claim any responsibility in this miraculous work? Who am I but an unworthy child of God who has been made clean by Jesus' blood? Who am I to claim to be anything other than a disciple, devoted eternally, to Christ?
Post a Comment