Part 1 - A Comprehensive Study On Salvation And The Authority, Promises, Privileges, Rights, And Eternal Destiny Of Every Born-Again Christian Series

Far too many people feel God is remote, impersonal, and unknowable. Because of that, many Christians suffer from an inability to feel forgiven and live with nagging doubts and fears about their relationship with Him. Failure to love and trust God often comes from picturing God as unlovable and untrustworthy.

In the decades since giving my life to Jesus and becoming Born-Again, I have come to understand experientially that a person’s theology is shaped by the way they picture God. A dysfunctional picture of God results in a dysfunctional way of relating to Him and studying His Word. Jesus revealed this truth; “Which of you fathers, if your son asks for a fish, will give him a snake instead?” asked Jesus. “Or if he asks for an egg, will give him a scorpion? If you then, though you are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him” (Luke 11:11-13).

Those who had a father who was never around when they needed him or have experienced trauma, abuse, or extreme discipline will have a very difficult time preaching about - and pursuing - an intimate, loving, and trusting relationship with the Heavenly Father. They will see God as a vengeful judge enthusiastically waiting to spew out wrath and retribution when saved sinners do by nature what they do best - sin!" The message of super-abounding grace and God’s unmerited favor is very difficult for them to accept.

No one can come to Jesus unless it is granted by the mercy of the Father, who chose them as the first fruits to be saved and sanctified by the Holy Spirit to obtain the glory of Jesus (John 6:65; 1 Peter 1:3, James 1:18; Titus 3:5; 1 Thess 2:13-14). The Holy Spirit sovereignly draws dead people and makes them alive because no one can come to Jesus without Him, and He will raise them on the last day (Eph 2:5; Col 2:13; John 6:44; Acts 16:14).

The Unforgiveable Sin

There is one sin that the Bible indicates is unforgivable - blasphemy against the Holy Spirit. Those who reject His drawing up to the moment of their death have committed the unpardonable sin.

“And so I tell you, every kind of sin and slander can be forgiven, but blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven.” (Matt 12:31-32; also Mark 3:28-30; Luke 12:8-10).

Blasphemy is the ongoing act of hardening the heart against the Holy Spirit, who is trying to lead them to repentance. It is not a single action but rather a persistent attitude of rejecting the leading and drawing of the Holy Spirit to repent of their sin and receive Jesus as Lord and Savior. The context states that the Pharisees had accused Jesus of doing miracles through the power of satan instead of the power of the Holy Spirit. When a person attributes the works of God to satan, it is an unforgivable sin, being, in essence, complete unbelief. In fact, unbelief is the only sin that cannot be forgiven. A Christian simply cannot fall into unbelief.

Numerous atheists have claimed to have gone from being believers to unbelievers. It is difficult to confirm that these individuals were, in fact, true believers – those who are Born-Again (one who has humbly trusted everything to Jesus in repentant humility and loves His law). Several atheists have written to me, making such a claim. However, upon further inquiry, it has been clear that they never truly understood what faith meant and never had any experience with the Holy Spirit. So, I have never been able to confirm that a true believer has ever gone into unbelief. Even if they did, we would not know if they came back to faith later in their lives.

Saved by the Faith Of Jesus

Jesus is the one who saves a person, and they cannot save themselves. Salvation is by grace alone and not by any work a person could ever do (See Matt 25:31-46; James 2:24; also John 3:36; Gal 2:16; Rom 3:22,28,4:1-25,5:1; Phil 3:9; Gal 3:1-29; Eph 2:8-9)

From this point on, I will use the word ‘Christian,’ for “Believer” and “Born-Again Christian,” which is defined as someone who has sincerely repented of their sin and asked Jesus to become their Lord and Savior, becoming Born-Again (John 3:3,7; 1 Peter 1:3; 2 Cor 5:17. They are saved by the faith of Jesus plus nothing (Acts 2:38, 16:11; Rom 3:24,6:23, 10:10; Titus 2:11-12, 3:5; 2 Tim 1:9; Gal 2:21; Mark 16:16). Salvation is conditional because it is based upon a person repenting of their sin and receiving Jesus as Lord and Savior.

The words "faith of Jesus Christ" and "faith of the son of God" are 'pistis Christou' and 'posters Ieesou Christou' in Greek. Various translations note there is a grammatical issue of whether the Greek is in the subjective genitive – Jesus' own faith – or the objective genitive – faith in Jesus. Sadly, many translations often include incorrect interpretations because they disagree with the literal meaning, such as the subjective genitive of "pistis Christou." If the words were actually "faith IN Jesus Christ", then why were the words "unto all and upon all them that believe" added, which makes them unneeded because they are redundant.