Misconceptions About Salvation
#12 "Faith is the FOUNDATION of salvation or salvation is FOUNDED on faith."
In Biblical theology, accurate usage of a word is very important. One slight misuse of a word, especially in the area of salvation, changes everything. And so in this area, we have to be very meticulous.
The cause of this misconception is the failure to keep in mind that salvation is Christo-centric. It is Christ-centered. And by "Christ", we mean the Christ who died on the cross for our sins and resurrected again. You see, a Cross without Christ is useless and worthless. But a Christ without a cross, saves no one.
The word "basis" means foundation. It refers to anything on which something rests upon.
To say that salvation is "based" on faith is to put salvation on a very unstable foundation. For even the greatest of God's saints in the Bible never had perfect faith. Sometimes their faith wavered (though it never completely died out).
Even if you have the strongest faith in the world, if Christ did not die on the cross for our sins, then no sinner will be saved. Faith never saved anyone. It is faith in Christ and His work on the cross that saves. When the Lord Jesus said: "Your faith has saved you", it is speaking elliptically, you must read between the lines: "Your faith IN ME has saved you."
Faith in the Bible is not the foundation or basis of salvation. Rather it is the CONDITION and the MEANS of salvation: "For by grace you have been saved THROUGH faith..."
Salvation does not rest on faith. Rather, salvation is founded or based on the cross of Calvary. In other words, salvation hangs on Calvary. Salvation is founded or based on the work of Christ on the cross.
Faith is merely the means, the instrument or the "conduit pipe" to receive salvation based on the cross.
Monday, October 29, 2012
GOSPEL NUGGETS #192
True Story
A little boy told an evangelist who was a family friend to come with him to a contest he would be participating. He told the evangelist that he would win the contest and earn for himself the coveted prize---a watch.
And so the evangelist taking advantage of the opportunity went with him to the contest and saw how the young boy failed to win the prize even though he did his best to win it. His efforts proved futile.
Days after that, he gave the young boy a gift package. Upon opening it, he discovered to his delight that it contained the watch that he so desired to have in his possession---the watch he failed to win in the contest.
Seizing the moment, he told the young boy in effect: "You see, God's salvation is like that. You can never earn it by your own efforts. But God gives it to you as a free gift."
Salvation is not something that we earn. It is a free gift that is to be freely received by faith in Christ.
Thursday, October 25, 2012
GOSPEL NUGGET #191
Joh 3:7 ...'You must be born again.'
The New Birth: a) Its Meaning b) Its Necessity and c) Its Comprehensiveness
I. Its Meaning (What does it mean?)
Joh 3:7 ...'You must be BORN AGAIN'
It is God's gracious act whereby He imparts new life to a trusting sinner. It is not a religious organization, it is a spiritual event. One can join the born again movement or organization without being born again spiritually.
II. Its Necessity (Is it optional?)
Joh 3:7 ...'You MUST be born again.'
Just as drinking water and eating food is a must for man's survival, so is being born again a must if one is to enter the kingdom of God.
III. Its Comprehensiveness (Who must be born again?)
Joh 3:7 ..."YOU must be born again."
The pronoun "you" is actually plural in the Greek. The Lord Jesus was telling Nicodemus that he and his religious buddies (the Pharisees) must be born anew.
Now, if highly religious people must be born again, then that means everybody must be born again too. The argument is from the greater to the lesser. If people high up there in the religious ladder must be born again to enter the kingdom of God, then everyone down there must be born again too.
Question: How can you be born again?
Joh 3:16 "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes/trusts in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.
The New Birth: a) Its Meaning b) Its Necessity and c) Its Comprehensiveness
I. Its Meaning (What does it mean?)
Joh 3:7 ...'You must be BORN AGAIN'
It is God's gracious act whereby He imparts new life to a trusting sinner. It is not a religious organization, it is a spiritual event. One can join the born again movement or organization without being born again spiritually.
II. Its Necessity (Is it optional?)
Joh 3:7 ...'You MUST be born again.'
Just as drinking water and eating food is a must for man's survival, so is being born again a must if one is to enter the kingdom of God.
III. Its Comprehensiveness (Who must be born again?)
Joh 3:7 ..."YOU must be born again."
The pronoun "you" is actually plural in the Greek. The Lord Jesus was telling Nicodemus that he and his religious buddies (the Pharisees) must be born anew.
Now, if highly religious people must be born again, then that means everybody must be born again too. The argument is from the greater to the lesser. If people high up there in the religious ladder must be born again to enter the kingdom of God, then everyone down there must be born again too.
Question: How can you be born again?
Joh 3:16 "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes/trusts in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.
GOSPEL NUGGET #190
Why Is Christ Jesus The Only Qualified Person To Be The Savior Of Sinners?
He was instated. He was immaculate. He was interminate. He was infinite. He was intricate.
INSTATED
He was appointed and authorized by God. No one can save any sinner except Christ. Even if you can, it will not be recognized by God because God did not appoint you to be your own Savior. You are locked up to Christ.
IMMACULATE
He was sinless and flawless. If He committed even a single sin, it would be enough to disqualify Him as Savior because He would be needing salvation Himself. But He did not commit any and so He is qualified to be our Savior.
INTERMINATE
He was eternal, being God Himself (the second person of the Godhead). God's holiness demands an eternal payment for our sins. The extent of sin's penalty depends upon whom we ultimately sinned against. All sin is ultimately an offence against an ETERNAL God. Therefore the penalty of our sin must and should be eternal.
It would be an insult to God if we are only punished in hell for a billion years for an offense against an ETERNAL God. You would be insulted if your murderer will only be imprisoned for a week. You are not a dog right? You are a person made in the image of God though distorted by sin.
Christ being eternal was able in His death to make a provisional and yet eternal payment for our sins.
INFINITE
Christ being God was infinite. As such, He could die not just for one sinner but for all sinners. A finite person can only die for one person. He could not die for everybody. But Christ was infinite and therefore He could die for all sinners.
INTRICATE
He was the God-Man. He was one person with two natures: God and Man. As such, He could unite and reconcile in His person Man back to God.
Tuesday, October 23, 2012
GOSPEL NUGGET #189
Isa 53:5 But He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; The chastisement for our peace was upon Him, And by His stripes we are healed.
6 All we like sheep have gone astray; We have turned, every one, to his own way; And the LORD has laid on Him the iniquity of us all.
It was Peter Damian, a Benedictine monk who died on February 23, 1072 who started the practice of self-flagellation. As an act of penance (to atone for one's sins) he whipped himself and taught the practice to others. Later on he became a Roman Catholic saint.
Monks then began lashing themselves while reciting the Psalms. Each psalm was accompanied by 100 strokes. There are 150 Psalms in the Bible and so they lashed themselves for a good 1,500 strokes.
There were many who flogged themselves to death. During the 1200's and into the 1300's you can see people dressed in white with red crosses on caps and mantles, singing hymns and carrying banners. They scourged themselves with needle-pointed iron tips drawing blood as they struck to the rhythmic music of hymns.
If Peter Damian only knew and believed Isaiah 53, he would have realized that it is only through the sufferings and death of Christ that our sins can be atoned.
6 All we like sheep have gone astray; We have turned, every one, to his own way; And the LORD has laid on Him the iniquity of us all.
It was Peter Damian, a Benedictine monk who died on February 23, 1072 who started the practice of self-flagellation. As an act of penance (to atone for one's sins) he whipped himself and taught the practice to others. Later on he became a Roman Catholic saint.
Monks then began lashing themselves while reciting the Psalms. Each psalm was accompanied by 100 strokes. There are 150 Psalms in the Bible and so they lashed themselves for a good 1,500 strokes.
There were many who flogged themselves to death. During the 1200's and into the 1300's you can see people dressed in white with red crosses on caps and mantles, singing hymns and carrying banners. They scourged themselves with needle-pointed iron tips drawing blood as they struck to the rhythmic music of hymns.
If Peter Damian only knew and believed Isaiah 53, he would have realized that it is only through the sufferings and death of Christ that our sins can be atoned.
Sunday, October 21, 2012
GOSPEL NUGGET #188
The Sinner's Inability To Save Himself
The sinner is powerless to save himself. When man fell into sin, he became debilitated, defiled, desperate, dead and deviated.
* DEBILITATED
Romans 5:6 describes a sinner as someone who is "without strength". Just as a paralyzed man is without strength to help himself so is a sinner without strength to save himself.
The sinner is powerless to save himself. When man fell into sin, he became debilitated, defiled, desperate, dead and deviated.
* DEBILITATED
Romans 5:6 describes a sinner as someone who is "without strength". Just as a paralyzed man is without strength to help himself so is a sinner without strength to save himself.
* DEFILED
Isaiah 64:6 describes a sinner as "unclean" and is someone who can only produce righteousness that are "filthy rags" in the eyes of God.
Now, think: If ever we can save ourselves, it would only be through our righteous deeds. There is no other option. We are either doing right or doing something sinful. Obviously, doing something sinful will not contribute to our salvation. In fact, it's one of the reasons why we need to be saved.
But if our righteous deeds are filthy rags in God's sight, then we have no chance of saving ourselves. The only possible way is closed.
* DESPERATE
In Matthew 19:25-26, the Lord Jesus taught that it is "impossible" for man to save himself.
* DEAD
Ephesians 2:1 describes a sinner as someone who is spiritually "dead". Being spiritually dead in the Bible primarily means separated from the source of life who is God. In order to be alive, life must come from Someone outside ourselves. For being dead, we are impotent to generate life for ourselves.
* DEVIATED
In Luke 19:10, the Lord Jesus describes a sinner as someone who is "lost". A lost person is someone who is incapable of finding his way. He needs someone to help him find his way back home.
We are debilitated, defiled, desperate, dead and deviated. In one word, we are depraved. We need the Deliverer---Jesus!
Isaiah 64:6 describes a sinner as "unclean" and is someone who can only produce righteousness that are "filthy rags" in the eyes of God.
Now, think: If ever we can save ourselves, it would only be through our righteous deeds. There is no other option. We are either doing right or doing something sinful. Obviously, doing something sinful will not contribute to our salvation. In fact, it's one of the reasons why we need to be saved.
But if our righteous deeds are filthy rags in God's sight, then we have no chance of saving ourselves. The only possible way is closed.
* DESPERATE
In Matthew 19:25-26, the Lord Jesus taught that it is "impossible" for man to save himself.
* DEAD
Ephesians 2:1 describes a sinner as someone who is spiritually "dead". Being spiritually dead in the Bible primarily means separated from the source of life who is God. In order to be alive, life must come from Someone outside ourselves. For being dead, we are impotent to generate life for ourselves.
* DEVIATED
In Luke 19:10, the Lord Jesus describes a sinner as someone who is "lost". A lost person is someone who is incapable of finding his way. He needs someone to help him find his way back home.
We are debilitated, defiled, desperate, dead and deviated. In one word, we are depraved. We need the Deliverer---Jesus!
Tuesday, October 16, 2012
GOSPEL NUGGET #187
Ps 40:2 He also brought me up out of a horrible pit, Out of the miry clay, And set my feet upon a rock, And established my steps.
King David is the speaker here in this verse. David's physical deliverance is a picture of spiritual salvation. Notice three things here:
I. MY HELPLESS CONDITION BY NATURE: I was in "a horrible pit" and in "the miry clay".
II. HIS SALVATION BY GRACE: "He"..."brought me up out of a horrible pit, Out of the miry clay"
III. MY SPIRITUAL POSITION BY REDEMPTION: He "set my feet upon a rock and established my steps".
I now have a new stable standing in Christ, who is the rock of my salvation. Spiritually, I was in a horrible pit and a miry clay. I could never pull myself out. But Christ came and delivered and then set me on an immovable rock, a stable foundation that shall not be moved. He has made me safe and secure.
And what He did to me He can do for you. Trust in Him, who alone can deliver you from the pit.
King David is the speaker here in this verse. David's physical deliverance is a picture of spiritual salvation. Notice three things here:
I. MY HELPLESS CONDITION BY NATURE: I was in "a horrible pit" and in "the miry clay".
II. HIS SALVATION BY GRACE: "He"..."brought me up out of a horrible pit, Out of the miry clay"
III. MY SPIRITUAL POSITION BY REDEMPTION: He "set my feet upon a rock and established my steps".
I now have a new stable standing in Christ, who is the rock of my salvation. Spiritually, I was in a horrible pit and a miry clay. I could never pull myself out. But Christ came and delivered and then set me on an immovable rock, a stable foundation that shall not be moved. He has made me safe and secure.
And what He did to me He can do for you. Trust in Him, who alone can deliver you from the pit.
Monday, October 15, 2012
GOSPEL NUGGET #186
Ge 6:14 "Make yourself an ark of gopherwood; make rooms in the ark, and cover it inside and outside with pitch.
The ark was covered inside and out with pitch. It served as the coating for the Ark. No water could get inside the Ark, yes not even a single drop of the waters of judgment could get in.
It is a picture of the blood of Christ shed on the cross. In Christ, a sinner who seeks refuge will be completely secure from God's wrath and judgment, yes not one bit of condemnation will fall on him.
The ark was covered inside and out with pitch. It served as the coating for the Ark. No water could get inside the Ark, yes not even a single drop of the waters of judgment could get in.
It is a picture of the blood of Christ shed on the cross. In Christ, a sinner who seeks refuge will be completely secure from God's wrath and judgment, yes not one bit of condemnation will fall on him.
Monday, October 8, 2012
GOSPEL NUGGET #185
How Are We Not Saved?
Eph 2:8 For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that NOT OF YOURSELVES; it is the gift of God,
9 NOT OF WORKS, lest anyone should boast.
How are we NOT saved? Two things: a) Not of ourselves and b) Not of works. Combine the two ideas and we have: "We are not saved by trying our best to be saved."
Our best is not good enough. We are saved by God's Best--- His one and only Son --- when we put our trust in Him alone for salvation.
Don't TRY your best. TRUST in God's Best!!!
Saturday, October 6, 2012
GOSPEL NUGGET #184
GOSPEL NUGGETS
The Liberal Preacher And The Dying Woman (A True Story)
One time a knock on a liberal preacher's door was heard in his study.
(A liberal preacher is someone who does not believe in miracles in the Bible, he does not believe that Christ died for the salvation of sinners. For him, it was just an example of how we should love others, he believes that the Bible is full of errors. He's actually a false preacher)
A little girl who was poorly dressed came and pleaded with him: "Can you help me get my mother into heaven? She's at home. She's dying. She sent me out to find a preacher to help her get into heaven. My Mama is dying."
He went with her to a poor section of town and there he saw a woman who was dying on her deathbed with half of her life gone. He then told her about the Sermon on the Mount, about living right, doing good and other great and wonderful moral truths.
The woman looked distraught and said: "You don't understand. I have lived a sinful and wicked life. Now, I am dying. It is too late for me to do all of that. Don't you have a message for a woman like me?"
The preacher realized that he did not really have any message for the dying woman. And then he remembered the story of her mother before he came to a liberal seminary about the Savior who shed His blood, about His death on the cross for sinners.
He then told her about the cross, about grace and the free offer of the salvation that is in Christ to unworthy sinners. And there, the dying woman received peace with God and was marvelously saved. It was at that time too that the preacher himself got saved.
The only hope for sinners like us is the Lord Jesus and what He did on the cross.
The Liberal Preacher And The Dying Woman (A True Story)
One time a knock on a liberal preacher's door was heard in his study.
(A liberal preacher is someone who does not believe in miracles in the Bible, he does not believe that Christ died for the salvation of sinners. For him, it was just an example of how we should love others, he believes that the Bible is full of errors. He's actually a false preacher)
A little girl who was poorly dressed came and pleaded with him: "Can you help me get my mother into heaven? She's at home. She's dying. She sent me out to find a preacher to help her get into heaven. My Mama is dying."
He went with her to a poor section of town and there he saw a woman who was dying on her deathbed with half of her life gone. He then told her about the Sermon on the Mount, about living right, doing good and other great and wonderful moral truths.
The woman looked distraught and said: "You don't understand. I have lived a sinful and wicked life. Now, I am dying. It is too late for me to do all of that. Don't you have a message for a woman like me?"
The preacher realized that he did not really have any message for the dying woman. And then he remembered the story of her mother before he came to a liberal seminary about the Savior who shed His blood, about His death on the cross for sinners.
He then told her about the cross, about grace and the free offer of the salvation that is in Christ to unworthy sinners. And there, the dying woman received peace with God and was marvelously saved. It was at that time too that the preacher himself got saved.
The only hope for sinners like us is the Lord Jesus and what He did on the cross.
Wednesday, October 3, 2012
GOSPEL NUGGET #183
Mt 27:22 Pilate said to them, "What then shall I do with Jesus who is called Christ?" They all said to him, "Let Him be crucified!"
Zero in on that pointed question "What then shall I do with Jesus who is called Christ?" and make it personal: "What then shall I (state your name) do with Jesus who is called Christ?"
This is a question that every sinner will answer for himself. To relegate the consideration of this question to a later time is to reject Him. It's now or reject Him for another convenient time. Jesus who is called Christ, who died for the sins of sinners and rose again from the dead. "What shall I do with Him?"
Am I going to ignore Him? Am I going to reject Him? Or am I going to put all my trust and confidence in Him and what He did on the cross for my salvation? Should I let Him be my Savior 100%?
Should I put my whole trust and reliance in Him for my complete and eternal salvation? Should I trust in Him alone or should I trust in Him + my good works, religious achievements and my good moral character for the salvation of my soul?
Zero in on that pointed question "What then shall I do with Jesus who is called Christ?" and make it personal: "What then shall I (state your name) do with Jesus who is called Christ?"
This is a question that every sinner will answer for himself. To relegate the consideration of this question to a later time is to reject Him. It's now or reject Him for another convenient time. Jesus who is called Christ, who died for the sins of sinners and rose again from the dead. "What shall I do with Him?"
Am I going to ignore Him? Am I going to reject Him? Or am I going to put all my trust and confidence in Him and what He did on the cross for my salvation? Should I let Him be my Savior 100%?
Should I put my whole trust and reliance in Him for my complete and eternal salvation? Should I trust in Him alone or should I trust in Him + my good works, religious achievements and my good moral character for the salvation of my soul?
Monday, October 1, 2012
GOSPEL NUGGET #182
Righteousness---Imputed, Imparted, Implanted and Imported
Man is by nature a sinner. And therefore there is no one who is righteous among us. We can't be perfectly righteous by our own efforts, we are powerless to do so.
Even if we suddenly have the ability to be perfectly righteous from now on, we must bear in mind that we already sinned this morning, yesterday, last week, last month. It's just too late. We cannot go back in time and start all over again.
We need an imported righteousness. Enter Christ Jesus who died for our sins. He provisionally paid the penalty of our sins that if we put our trust in Him we shall be reckoned righteous and made righteous.
Righteous positionally---This happens when God imputes Christ's righteousness to our spiritual bank accounts.
Righteous practically---This happens, when, God, on the basis of having imputed to us the righteousness of Christ, imparts to us Christ's righteousness as well.
Righteous perfectly---This happens when God implants perfect righteousness to us at the Rapture.
Observe, this righteousness does not come from us. It is an alien righteousness. It comes from God. It is imputed, imparted and implanted. It therefore is an imported righteousness.
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