THE ONLY REASON FOR SALVATION

I write unto you, little children, because your sins are forgiven you for his name's sake (1John 2:12).

There is only one reason revealed in Holy Scripture that any sinner would be pardoned from all sin. That one reason is Christ alone (Eph.4:32). Christ Jesus was manifested to take away our sin and in Him is no sin (John 3:5). The only reason for grace, is Christ (John 1:16). The only reason for mercy is Christ (Titus 3:5). The only reason for salvation is Christ (Acts 4:12). The only reason for sanctification is Christ (1Cor. 1:30). His name's sake includes all these things and much more (Rom. 5:20). Salvation is not because of our merit, nor our baptism, nor our works, nor our prayers, nor our repentance nor our faith; but for the sake of Christ, His blood, sacrifice and satisfaction; and it reaches to all our sins, original and actual, secret and open, past, present, and future. The only reason for our salvation is not found in us, but rather in the Lord Jesus Christ alone (Isa.43:1-7; 44:21-23).

THE LAMB OF GOD

Twenty seven times does the word “LAMB,” as our Lord’s heavenly name, occur in the book of Revelation, bringing perpetually before the Redeemed in glory the cross and the blood, as if to prevent the possibility of our losing sight of CHRIST CRUCIFIED.

The glory of heaven revolves around the cross, and every object on which the eye beholds in the celestial city will remind us of the cross and carry us back to Golgotha. Never shall we get beyond, nor turn our backs on it, nor cease to draw from it the divine virtue which it contains.

It is the LAMB who stands in the midst of the elders (Rev. 5:6) and before whom they fall down. “Worthy is the Lamb” is the theme of the celestial song (Rev. 5:9-12). It is the LAMB that opens the seals (6:1). It is before the LAMB that the great multitude stand clothed in white (7:9). It is the blood of the LAMB that washes the raiment white (7:14). It is by the blood of the LAMB that the victory is won (12:11). The book of life belongs to the LAMB slain (13:8). It was the LAMB that stood on the glorious Mount Zion (14:1). It is the LAMB that redeemed multitudes are seen following (14:4), and that multitude is the first fruits unto God and unto the LAMB. It is the song of the LAMB that is sung in heaven (15:3). It is the LAMB that wars and overcomes (17:14). It is the marriage of the LAMB that we are called unto (19:7-9). The church is the LAMB’S wife (21:9). On the foundations of the heavenly city are written the names of the twelve apostles of the LAMB (21:14). Of this city the Lord God Almighty and the LAMB are the temple (21:22). Of this city the Lamb is the Light (21:23). The book of life of the LAMB and the throne of the LAMB (21:27, 22:1-3) sum up this wondrous list of honors and dignities belonging to the Lord Jesus Christ as the crucified and enthroned son of God. copied

GRACE AND MERCY

What is the difference between the grace of God and the mercy of God? Someone has defined it this way. Grace, is God giving to us what we do not deserve, righteousness, peace and pardon (Rom. 3:24; 6:23). Mercy, is God not giving to us what we do deserve, wrath, death and eternal punishment (Titus 3:5). Thank God for His eternal, sovereign grace and mercy; revealed and experienced in the heart of the sinner in Christ Jesus the Lord (2Cor. 4:6)!

WHAT CHRIST HAS DONE FOR US

“But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared, not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour; that being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life” (Titus 3:4-7).

These verses reveal unto us the very essence and glory of the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ.

1). Divine intervention, “the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared.” One thing is most obvious; we did not merit God’s grace. We were shut out by sin and on the fast track to destruction, deserving of God’s righteous wrath (Rom.6:23). But our sovereign God intervened and came to our rescue. He was manifested in our nature, in the flesh (Rom. 8:3; Gal.4:4) to fulfill all righteousness and to make perfect atonement for sin (Heb. 2:17; Heb.9:26).

2). Divine salvation, “According to his mercy he saved us.” Salvation is not by what we do, but rather according to God’s sovereign, and everlasting mercy (Rom. 9:11-16). No sinner can produce nor can he possess a justifying righteousness in the energy of the flesh, “Not by works of righteousness which we have done (Rom. 8:8). The only reason for grace is grace (John 1:16-17). The Lord saves His people out of a clear, unmixed and undiluted mercy and redeeming grace and for no other reason, “By the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost” ( John 1:12-13; 2Tim 1:9). The new birth is not an option in salvation it is a must (John 3:3-7). The new birth is not something you do, it is something God does in you (Phil.1:6).

3). Divine blessings, “Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour.” Every spiritual blessing the believer enjoys is through, in and by the Lord Jesus Christ (Eph.1:3). All the promises of God are in Christ Jesus (2Cor.1:20). The love and kindness of God are in Christ (Rom. 8:39). The forgiveness and redemption from all sin is only found in Christ (Eph.1:7). The righteousness imputed to sinners is Christ, the LORD OUR RIGHTEOUSNESS ( Jer.23:5; 1Cor. 1:30). The hope of salvation is Christ in you the hope of glory (Col.1:27; 2Thes.2:16).