God Saves Us To Be Holy And Full Of Joy

GOD SAVES US TO MAKE US HOLY AND FULL OF JOY

Ps 51:1-17

GOD SAVES MEN FROM SIN TO HOLINESS THROUGH FAITH IN JESUS CHRIST BY THE INWARD ACTION OF THE HOLY SPIRIT IN TWO WORKS OF GRACE.

God saves men- This is salvation that is provided by God alone of which no man can do by himself. It is God who initiates this being done. Man must respond in faith believing God will do what He says.

From sin—man is lost in sin and is without hope in this world. That is why the cross of Jesus is so important. We might think there are many things wrong with mankind but God knows only one thing that is wrong and that is sin. Everything else is just a side effect. Without sin there could be no hell, with sin there can be no heaven.

To Holiness—Holiness is to the soul what health is to the body and sanity is to the mind. Holiness is t he best part of being s Christian for it is not offer to or possessed by one who is controlled by sin.

Through faith in Jesus Christ—It is in Jesus and His death and resurrection that we have the means of complete redemption. Jesus is our only way to heaven. Our faith has to be in Christ alone. It is not come by good works, self effort, personal growth and development, our tears, prayers and fasting, our witnessing, or our joining a church with joining in its activities and sacraments. Faith in Christ is the only key to being on top spiritually. Our faith is only good as it is centered in Jesus Christ.

By the Inward action of the Holy Spirit—The cleansing of our evil nature can be done only as the Holy Spirit is allowed to come in and do the work that needs to be done. We are given the will to resist, quench, despise, or grieve the Holy Spirit. We also are given the will to be filled with the Holy Spirit and with that let Him cleanse us of that which is hostile against God which is a rebellious nature. When Adam sinned he put in the hearts of all that were born after him a rebellion against God. This rebellion must be removed if we are to please God. David said in sin did my mother conceive me. Create in me a clean heart.

In two works of Grace— “Have you received the Holy Spirit since you believed?” The song writer put it, “Be on sin the double cure, save from wrath and make me pure. There is a difference between being born again and being baptized with the Spirit. The baptism of the Holy Spirit is only offered to Christians.

What the Bible Says About Joy

Jesus’ aim in all he taught was the joy of his people. John 15:11 “These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.” “I have told you this so that you will be as joyful as I am, and your joy will be complete.”

Joy is what God fills us with when we trust in Christ. RM. 15:13 “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing.” “May God, the source of hope, fill you with joy and peace through your faith in him. Then you will overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.”

The kingdom of God is joy. Romans 14:17 “For the kingdom of God is not a matter of eating and drinking but of righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit.” “God’s kingdom does not consist of what a person eats or drinks. Rather, God’s kingdom consists of God’s approval and peace, as well as the joy that the Holy Spirit gives.”

Joy is the fruit of God’s Spirit within us. Galatians 5:22 “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace.”

Joy is the aim of everything the apostles did and wrote. 2 Corinthians 1:24 “Not that we lord it over your faith, but we work with you for your joy.”

Becoming a Christian is finding a joy that makes you willing to forsake everything. Matthew 13:44 “The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and covered up. Then in his joy he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field.” Joy is nourished and sustained by the word of God in the Bible. Psalm 19:8 “The instructions of the Lord are correct. They make the heart rejoice.”

Joy will overtake all sorrow for those who trust Christ. Psalm 126:5 “Those who sow in tears shall reap with shouts of joy!” Blessed are they that mourn for they will be comforted.” Psalm 30:5b “Weeping may tarry for the night, but joy comes with the morning.”