Although nearly 80% of Americans consider themselves “Christians” the divergence in what they believe about God, Christ, and the Bible clearly indicate that there are many that are deceived and believe a falsehood. Why is my conclusion such? Because most attribute some part of their believing to their own will, as if salvation were a cooperative between God and themselves. In Isaiah 26:12-13 we read, “Lord, thou wilt ordain peace for us: for thou also hast wrought all our works in us. O Lord our God, other lords beside thee have had dominion over us: but by thee only will we make mention of thy name.” Here are three statements that show that salvation is of the Lord from beginning to end. This is what every true child of God confesses and believes… It is the LORD who ordains peace for us, “Lord thou will ordain peace for us.” First, there is the peace that the Lord Jesus Christ has established between God the Father and those that He has chosen to salvation, Isaiah 53:11, “He shall see of the travail of his soul, and shall be satisfied: by his knowledge shall my righteous servant justify many; for he shall bear their iniquities.” To know God and worship Him, He must first of all establish peace between us, reconciling us to Himself in a manner that is consistent with His own holy character. This then brings the peace of God. When there is peace with God, everything else is at peace outwardly and inwardly, spiritually and eternally. Even when everything appears to go against the believer, he can say, “It is well with my soul.” It is the LORD who sanctifies us: “Thou also hast wrought all our works in us.” If the Lord has done all that is necessary in redeeming the believer, it is sure that He will in time work it in him. Notice the first sentence says, “Lord Thou wilt ordain peace FOR us.” The second sentence is “Thou also hast wrought all our works IN us.” The one is God’s work of redemption in Christ; the other is God’s work of sanctification by His Spirit. The believer’s sanctification is as much the work of Christ as redemption is. God does not redeem sinners by Christ and then turn them back to the law for holy living. He works in the believer what He worked out by his life and death, “But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption” (I Cor.1:30). It is the LORD who enables us, “By Thee only will we make mention of Thy name.” God’s people not only worship UNTO the Lord but BY Him. Any ability or strength is from Him, whether it is to repent or believe on Him, confess Him, or serve Him. These are all by His grace alone. All the glory belongs to Him. This, my readers, is consistent with Philippians 2:12-13, Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.”
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