Gospel : One Hope of your Calling

The Lord gave me a word today. I was moved by a friend who was dismayed that I say, “Man has a part in his Salvation…” I understand why he says that. I know it is foreign among most churches to recognize the responsibility of sinners in their response to the gospel. In fact it is in conflict with doctrines that are based on original sin or hereditary depravity. So it is important that you clearly understand what I am saying and what I am NOT saying.

I am not saying that man can save himself. I am saying that the Lord requires men to respond to the call of the gospel. The word given me by the Lord today as I ponder our discussions is from Jeremiah 10:
23 “O LORD, I know that the way of man is not in himself: it is not in man that walketh to direct his steps.
24 O LORD, correct me, but with judgment; not in thine anger, lest thou bring me to nothing.”

If we will be saved it is not from within ourselves. It is from the Lord to direct our steps. The question before us is, how does God direct our steps? I personally came to Christ in response to the call of the gospel.

This is the means be which God has chosen to bring us to salvation. II Thes 2:
14 “Whereunto he called you by our gospel, to the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.”
This is not unique as God has called all men to repent. Acts 17:31

Since we know God wants all men to be saved and most mankind is not interested in salvation the question comes to fore: What is the gospel that brings salvation to lost sinners?

We are saved by Grace, Faith, Hope, His Life, Repentance, God, Jesus Christ, Gospel, Obedience, et al. All these clearly stated in the Bible as effectual in our salvation.
We are justified by Faith Rom 5:1, Blood Rom 5:9, Words Mt 12:37, Christ Acts 13:39, Grace Rom 3:24; Titus 3:7, Works James 2:24.
We are NOT justified by works of the law Romans 3:20; Gal 2:16; 5:4.
We are NOT justified by faith only. James 2:24
We are NOT saved by works of righteous we have done in merit. Tit 3:5.
We are saved when we submit by faith to the terms of the gospel. Rom 6:17.
It is clear from these texts that there is not one singular item that is alone for salvation. Paul taught clearly that the law of Moses could not justify nor save. The law was given for a different purpose. It condemned sin by making men aware of sin. It was a school master to bring Christ in the fullness of time. Gal 3:24; Col 2:14-15.

Rom 1: 16 “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.
17 For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.”
I Cor 15: 1 “Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand;
2 By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain.
3 For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures;
4 And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:”

We are saved by Christ alone as there is none other by whom we can be saved. Acts 4:12. This however does not mean we have no responsibility in our salvation. Hebrews 11: 6 “But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.” Faith is a necessary response by the sinner. Diligently seeking God through Jesus Christ is a response of faith.

Where does faith come from? Rom 10:17 “So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.” Faith does not come through some direct operation of spirit."

God has granted all men faith to believe. John 3:16; II Peter 3:9. That is the meaning of “whosoever.” Rev 22: 17 “And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely.”

Rom 12:3 "For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith."

Romans 10: 14 How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher?

10 For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.

17 So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

UNIVERSAL NEED Rom 3:22 “Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference:
23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;
24 Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:”

Just as the need for remission of sin is universal also is the grace of God given universally to men through faith. God has not withheld his love. Titus 2:11-13
“11 For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men,
12 Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world;
13 Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;
14 Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.”

Now here is the point I would emphasize: If a sinner cannot repent without faith and he cannot have faith unless God operates on his heart, then those who do not believe are lost because Jesus did not love them enough to give them faith.
It is not true that God must operated on a sinner's heart before he can be saved.
This would make God a respecter of persons which we know he is not because he wants all men to come to Him in repentance. Acts 10:34. God is not a respecter of persons. This is why I reject unconditional election. This is why the doctrine of unconditional election is false, for it denies the mercy and love of Christ who died that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved.

You see there is a point of turning when the blood of Christ cleanses sin. That point is not according to man, or prayer, or some invented system of theology. That point of change from servant of sin to servant of righteousness is according to the word of truth give by inspiration of the Holy Spirit. II Tim 3:16. That point of turning is when sins are forgiven and no longer separating the sinner from grace.

Jesus is the author of salvation: Heb 5: 8 “Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered; 9 And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him;”
He is author of salvation to them that obey him.

The point of change is stated by Paul to the Romans 6:17-18 “But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you. 18 Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness.” (before obedience = servant of sin; after obedience = servant of righteousness.) Yes, obedience to the gospel is essential for salvation.

Will you obey the gospel? What will you do about Jesus? Will you follow him, or those who say he does not love some enough to give them faith? He is calling all to repent and call upon his name. He is calling for all men to hear the gospel.
Mark 16:15-16 “15 And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.
16 He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.” Do you believe? Will you confess his name before men. Mt 10:32-33. Will you obey? “Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.” Paul did not tarry, why do you? “And now why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord.”

Perhaps you have heard some say "baptism is the Holy Spirit." Holy Spirit baptism is subject of another study but we know Holy Spirit baptism was limited to two events: apostles on Pentecost and Cornelius the first Gentile to receive the gospel.

Does this negate immersion in water for remission of sins? No. We know that water baptism is commanded of all disciples Matt 28:18-20. We know God that man cannot baptize in the spirit. We know God commands what we can obey. Therefore baptism in the spirit is not commanded. Baptism in water by the authority of Jesus is what we are to obey to make disciples and it is stated that the purpose of submission to immersion is remission of sins. Acts 2:38. Do not be misled by those who claim baptism in spirit as they cannot do that nor do the speak in unlearned language. Follow the simple gospel of Jesus and receive the hope of eternal life. If you care not for Christ nor salvation you need not believe, but if you want to walk in the light as he is in the light you will obey from the heart the gospel. The gift of the Holy Spirit is given after one is baptized for remission of sins. You may claim a spirit indwelling but it is not holy unless God is obeyed by faith.

I pray that you will not neglect the call of the gospel and the love of Jesus for all mankind. I pray that you will before you pass the opportunity obey the gospel for those who do not obey will suffer eternal punishment. II Thes 1:7-9.

Please consider this prayerfully and seriously as today is the day. II Cor 6: (For he saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succoured thee: behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.)” Do not Tarry!!

Thank you, Donald Raby 20070630