Psalm 40:6-8

Salvation Is A Total Gift From God

We read in the Word that God so loved His Son and His church that He gave the Lord Jesus Christ a people to save and redeem from their sin (Matt. 1:21; John 3:16; John 6:37). Our God gave the perfect gift and perfect sacrifice of His Son for our sins (Heb. 9:11-12; Heb. 9:26). And because Christ totally accomplished salvation for us; every aspect and all blessings of salvation to the sinners are by the free and sovereign gift of God (Rom.8:28-35; 2 Tim. 1:9).

Consider carefully these words of scripture:

Rom. 6:23; “For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Eph. 2:8; “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God.”

2 Cor. 9:15; “Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift.”

James 1:17; “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.”

What a great and eternal gift God has given to us in our salvation. Let us always give Him all the glory (Psalm 115:1; Gal. 6:14).

See Him

“He that seeth the Son and believeth on Him hath eternal life” (John 6:40).

Put the emphasis where it belongs – “He that seeth the Son.” Look to Christ, lay hold upon Christ, learn of Christ; in Him and through Him you will be led into all truth. We do not arrive at Christ by getting our doctrines straight; we come to a right understanding of doctrine and theology by seeing Christ.

Someone asked Mr. Spurgeon, “What body of divinity do you recommend?” He replied, “I have never heard of but one body that divinity ever had and that was the body of our Lord Jesus, and the study of that body of divinity will make you systematic theologians of the best kind.”

If you are to understand anything of astronomy, you must begin at the center: the sun. And if you put anything else in the center of your system of teaching and doctrine except the Lord Jesus Christ, you will only fall into more and more error and confusion. A true sight of Christ reveals all that is IN CHRIST; and, according to the Word, God was in Christ reconciling the world. “He that hath seen me hath seen the Father.” He that has seen Christ has seen the Father, seen the Spirit, and will, in God’s own time, see all the rest.

Another important thing: a true revelation of Christ will take care of some unpleasant things that we see. I see sin in myself, but I SEE HIM as my righteousness and sin offering! I see trial and sorrows every day, but I SEE HIM caring for me and in His good providence working them all together for my good! I see death and judgement approaching; but I SEE HIM, my Justifier, the resurrection and the life! I see friends and neighbors in darkness, ignorance, and unbelief; but I SEE HIM who is able to save to the uttermost them that come to God by Him! I see Satan and the forces of evil seeking the destruction of Christ’s church; but I SEE HIM, who is the conqueror of the prince of this world, and remember His promise, “The gates of hell shall not prevail.”

My friends, if you can see Him, you will find that that one sight will make amends for the dark things you see!

Pastor Henry T. Mahan (Bulletin Article 1985)

GIVING THANKS TO THE FATHER

Col. 1:12-15

In these verses of scripture, the Apostle to the Gentiles reminds every believer in the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ, about their spiritual biography. Paul gives to us a summary regarding the experience of grace that is common to all who believe (Titus 1:4). Here are five things to remember about the salvation that God works in His elect (Phil. 1:6).

1). God made us fit or qualified to be saints, “The Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light.” All those saved by the grace of God through the righteousness and blood of Christ are unfit by nature to be a partaker of the inheritance of grace (Rom.3:23; 5:12). The only thing that we deserve to be a partaker of is God’s holy judgement against our sin (Rom.6:23; Ezk.18:4). God in His sovereign mercy (Titus 3:5), is the One who has made us fit for His presence through Christ Jesus alone (1Cor.1:30; 4:7; Eph.1:6).

2). God delivered us from the power of sin, “Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness.” Darkness of sin and spiritual ignorance is our state by nature and birth (Eph. 2:12; 4:18). Because of our spiritual condition we are unable to deliver ourselves from this horrible position (John 6:44). Thank God that He is able to save to the uttermost (Heb7:25).

3). God translated us into Christ Jesus, “Translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son.” Every believer has been called out of darkness into His marvelous light through the preaching of the gospel of Christ (1Cor.1:21) and the effectual work of the Holy Spirit within (2Pet. 1:9; Eph.2:1; John 6:63).

4). God redeemed us through His precious blood, “In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sin.” God has only designed one way of redemption from sin (John 14:6), which is through the effectual and eternal blood atonement of the Lord Jesus Christ (Heb.9:12; 1Pet.1:18). We have not only forgiveness of sin (Eph.1:7), but also righteousness established and freely imputed (Rom.4:1-6).