Are you uncertain about your salvation? Are you consumed with doubt, fear, anxiety or troubled emotions? Can you deny you've never thought of the afterlife in Heaven or Hell? People standing at the open edge of a grave oftentimes think of these things. Can you honestly say you're not fearful of death? If so, you are but one among many with the same concerns?
To help you, it is important to examine for whom Christ died. The short answer is; He died for all of us, each and every human. Jesus forfeited His life here on earth for the weak in faith, those without much strength or assurance. Through His blood all sinners have a path to salvation. We are all sinners. This, you know, no one can deny. But sinners lost without faith in God are hopeless, incapable of saving themselves. Do most sinners really realize this? No, however our weakness and helplessness was known by God before we were born. The Bible says that we are unable to understand the things of God. Perhaps you're not understanding the Gospel because you're trying to rationalize it rather than accept God's word and messages by faith.
Even many persons of strong faith and deep biblical knowledge are uncertain of their future destinies. Often believers and non-believers alike ask: “How can we be sure that we're eternally secure in Christ?” People by their nature are skeptical and doubtful. Therein lies the clue why? It is our nature. Natural man is not a 'Spiritual man.' 1 Corinthians chapter 2 verse 14, (New King James Version) “But the natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; nor can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.”
While it may be difficult to understand or comprehend, Jesus died for everyone including the unbelievers for we all fall short of God's glory. Jesus died for you and me and the people who, as yet, do not know Christ's justification is by God's grace and our faith. If the Spirit of God does not live in some people, they are sinners which the Bible describes as dead and destined to live in Hell. How would it feel to be separated from God and all others for all eternity? Fellow listeners, I don't say these things to try to scare you into believing as a Christian, but that is exactly the fate that awaits all that do not accept Jesus as their personal savior. The Bible tells us so.
If you're not a Christian, you represent the Antichrist, you are spiritually dead to the one true God. How-ever, if you are just a spiritually weak Christian you most likely are not prepared to spread what may arguably be two of the most important messages of the New Testament concerning your assured salvation. Jesus Himself said, in John chapter 6 verses 38 throught 40, “For I have come down from heaven not to do my will but to do the will of Him who sent me. And this is the will of Him who sent me, that I shall lose none of all those He has given me, but raise them up at the last day. For my Father’s will is that everyone who looks to the Son and believes in Him shall have eternal life, and I will raise them up at the last day.” And Jesus further emphasized in John chapter 6 verse 44, “No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him; and I will raise him up at the last day.” What better verses can be found to take to the unbelievers or those with a teetering faith?
God’s grace is singularly paramount in His design for our salvation. God’s grace is what makes salvation possible. Yet, what does humankind have to do to receive grace, to be assured of the certainty of eternal salvation? Views on the precise answers have vexed many biblical scholars, believers, and non-believers alike. As disciples of Christ, our principal ascending responsibility is to have everlasting faith. While Mankind cannot save itself, either in mass or individually, with God's Grace and our faith we are commanded to go forth and make disciples of all nations. We are directed to walk this earth in the name of Jesus spreading the Gospel. We are commanded to do this in resistance to the evil influences of Satan and his minions in order assist the Holy Spirit in saving more souls.
Even as the Gospel should be delivered to the masses, salvation is always a one-on-one contract between God and you alone. God has met His responsibility in offering you a path towards salvation but you must by faith accept Jesus Christ. Salvation is personal! Salvation must be achieved individually! No one else can pray you into Heaven or back from Hell after you die. The time to pray for yourself or unbelievers you know is while each is living.
To gain an even deeper understanding of your certainty of salvation the process requires a diligent investigation of the true Word of God as found in both Old and New Testament writings. Of course, there are more references of 'Grace' in the New Testament than in the Old Testament. God never changes. His messages between the Old Testament and New Testament account for the birth, death, and resurrection of Jesus the Christ. Both Testaments speak clearly that we are saved through faith. For example, Genesis chapter 17 verse 1, “When Abram was ninety-nine years old, the Lord appeared to him and said, “I am God Almighty; walk before me faithfully and be blameless.” To that example we can add, Psalm chapter 45 verse 2, “You are the most excellent of men and your lips have been anointed with grace, since God has blessed you forever.” Faith, or a derivative thereof, is mentioned more than 330 times in the Bible.
As a side note, it seemed interesting that in the King James Version, the phrase “God's grace” is not found in the Old Testament or New Testament but the phrases “great grace” or “grace of God” is often used. Altogether, Grace is mentioned more than 150 times. The New International Version is more specific by listing “God's grace” many times. Romans chapter 5 verse 15, “But the gift is not like the trespass. For if the many died by the trespass of the one man, how much more did God’s grace and the gift that came by the grace of the one man, Jesus Christ, overflow to the many!”
The fact that Abraham believed was such an important Old Testament act of faith it is referenced several times in the New Testament. Two representative examples are; Romans chapter 4 verse 3, “Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness.” and James chapter 2 verse 23,“And the scripture was fulfilled that says, 'Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness,' and he was called God’s friend.'”
Scholars like Martin Luther, father of the reformation, and John Calvin, an influential French theologian, devoted much of their lives to help others find the keys to salvation. But what does the Old Testament Bible say about mankind's failures and limitations concerning our path to salvation towards the Kingdom of God? Psalm chapter 145 verse 14, “The Lord upholds all those who fall and lifts up all who are bowed down.” God's New Testament message is even more clear. In John 14:6, Jesus answered, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” But what does mankind have to do to receive salvation? Do we have to memorize the Bible? No! Do we have to recite by rote who begat who? No! Must we obey all 613 Commandments of the Jewish Mitzvot or the 10 Commandments that Moses delivered down from the mountain top? No!
Must we live a perfect life? No, we can't because we are not righteous. We are humans cursed with human failings. We are sinners, one and all. Our sinfulness grieves God. Genesis chapter 6 verses 5 to 7, The Lord saw how great man’s wickedness on earth had become, and that every inclination of his heart was only evil all the time. The Lord was grieved that he had made man on the earth and his heart was filled with pain. So the Lord said, “I will wipe mankind, whom I have created, from the face of the earth, men and animals, and creatures that move along the ground, and birds of the air, for I am grieved that I have made them.” We are vile in his sight. So how can we possibly be saved?
Romans chapter 5 verses 1 through 5, defines that our means of justification is through God's grace combined with our faith. “Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we boast in the hope of the glory of God. Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.”
Micah chapter 7 verse 2, Geneva Bible circa 1599 warns us, “The good man is perished out of the earth, and there is none righteous among men: they all lie in wait for blood: every man hunts his brother with a net.” Therefore, we know Christ died not for the righteous, for no man is righteous, but Jesus died for the justification of us, the ungodly, when we were powerless, before and after we knew God or were touched by the Holy Spirit. Humans don't often volunteer to die for an unrighteous person but Christ died for all while we were still sinners. What a magnificent display of His unbridled love.
Salvation is not achieved by any work (or obedience?) we do or any merits in or of ourselves. Yes, believers are called to do good works. Our justification is through God's grace, Christ's death for our sin plus each sinner's faith in that redemption of the Blood. Being justified by grace and faith, we have the eternal peace and assurance of God. Our past, present, and future assurance of salvation is revealed in this fifth chapter of Romans. For the Followers of Christ, the outcome of our individual spiritual condition is certainly assured. Once Jesus justifies us, we are saved once and for all and all of our past sin is forgiven, as are sin of the present and the future as well.
Full redemption in the sight of God is something given to every faithful believer. This ongoing, undeserved, salvation blankets our sin from His sight now and when every knee shall bow before Him on our day of Judgment. Salvation is a miracle, a truly supernatural event that has happened and will happen to each and every believer. Salvation is something ever ongoing, day in-day out, to be consummated and fulfilled at the time of our physical, earthly death when we approach the Throne of God for His judgment.
While some Christians are far too quiet about their state of grace, some enthusiastic evangelicals may over boast about being saved. Don't misconstrue their Christian energetic, certainty of assurance as arrogance or presumption. That is frequently what unbelievers do. Justification is something that has happened to every believer and it changes how they appear to others. Or, at least it should.
As a practicing disciple of Jesus, you may state with assurance, “I am saved, I am being saved, and I will always be saved.” On our own, we are lost. If we have faith in Jesus and His sacrifice, His death, His protection, how can we not know, positively, that we are secure in God's grace with our faith?
Often people professing no faith in God or the Lord Jesus Christ are troubled about this same issue of life after death. They may have a number of reasons to deny God or not to believe in God. Most commonly, they have hidden what they think are tremendous sins from their families and friends. Little do they realize God sees and knows everything. They may think, by their failings, they have let the Lord down beyond any possible deliverance. Feeling they have sinned too much, this is self-interpret that they have ignored God for so long they feel themselves beyond redemption. Sometimes they ask; “Have I really lost all chance of salvation?” If we, as followers of Christ, aren't there to address their questions, who will?
On the authority of God's Word we can say that the Gospel of Jesus Christ gives implicit and resolute assurance. Faith is not in ourselves or what we do, but as Romans chapter 10 verse 17, says: “Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the words of Christ, the Prophets and the Apostles.” Our faith must be placed in what God tells us, not what we, in our ignorance, think. God declares in Romans chapter 10 verse 20, assurance is offered to non-believers (Israel), “And the book of Isaiah boldly says, I was found by those who did not seek me; I revealed myself to those who did not ask for me.” It is my belief that the moment a non-believer confesses Jesus as Saviour, justification is immediately and permanently bequeathed and their name is entered into the Book of Life. Except the for obedience of faith, no other work(s), at that moment, is required to be saved. Think of the thief on the cross. Where were the thief's good works 2000 years ago when he to was crucified on a hill called Golgotha?
Once we place our faith in Christ, He justifies us immediately. Our past transgressions are eradicated. We are pardoned not only with regard to what we have done in the past but on a continuing and future basis as well. Jesus and the Holy Spirit will go on saving us until the day that we find ourselves in Heaven.
Look at verse 6 of Romans chapter 5, “You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly.” This verse speaks with extreme clarity to us for we are powerless and ungodly but still He died for our sin. His blood was shed for our eternal salvation.
God's great Gospel and what God has done proves that God's love triumphs over Satan's power and the failed weaknesses and wisdoms of humans. What mankind can not do for themselves, or for others, the power of God's Gospel will lead all disciples to victory. What God has accomplished He has accomplished for those who are helpless, those sinners without strength, those weak in faith and even those weak in belief.
It is hard for me to read the book of Romans and not think of the Catholic monk Martin Luther when he began the Protestant Reformation in the 16th century. Let me paraphrase some of his concerns from his German language to English, revealing the crux of his personal struggles. At that time, the Catholic Church sold indulgences. These were trinkets or scrolls bought or fines paid to absolve the guilt of sins and punishment in Hell. This substitution of monetary payment for punishment of sin was just like a crime could be paid for in secular European courts of the Middle Ages. Luther knew this was not the way to salvation. Though he tried to live as a monk above reproach, he rightful felt he was a sinner before God. He could not believe that God could be pleased by his actions of paying for redemption. Even so, there were times he was furious with God. Secretly Luther was extremely enraged with God, feeling that the laws of the Ten Commandments crushed frail humans under God's righteousness and wrath! Yes, he even hated the righteous God who punishes sinners. Luther had an extremely troubled soul.
It is said, he was converted through the truths of grace and faith he found in the Book of Romans. Eventually, Martin Luther saw that it is faith in Christ alone that the sinner is redeemed in the eyes of God. Not by any works, monetary payment or anything we have done; for we have no righteous works.
Looking to our future, our spiritual welfare, Martin Luther knew we can be saved from God's wrath. God's wrath is real and not a contradiction of His love. Christ's salvation doesn't just blot out our past sins and it doesn't just help us get through life today, but it is something that lies beyond this life and carries us into eternity.
Isaiah 53, tells us that Jesus was pierced for our transgressions, crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed.
Second Thessalonians chapter 1 verses 5 through 10, not only describes a plain warning to those that deny God, this passage also brings Believers an assurance of salvation. “All this is evidence that God’s judgment is right, and as a result you will be counted worthy of the kingdom of God, for which you are suffering. God is just: He will pay back trouble to those who trouble you and give relief to you who are troubled, and to us as well. This will happen when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven in blazing fire with his powerful angels. He will punish those who do not know God and do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus. They will be punished with everlasting destruction and shut out from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of his might on the day he comes to be glorified in his holy people and to be marveled at among all those who have believed. This includes you, because you believed our testimony to you.”
We know God's unwavering love. We know God's love will never fail us. God will never forsake His flock. God will never let us fall into Hell because we were ungodly or may even commit sin in the future. God, in His supreme act of love, shields us from the clutches of Satan for on our own we are neither righteous or good. Yet, wonder of wonders, for us Christ sacrificed Himself. That God dispatched Jesus to lift the helpless was something eternally planned, offering salvation the most undeserving, the most undesirable! God continues to demonstrate His love to sinners today. Even though Jesus was crucified two thousand years ago, His message of salvation and love at the cross continues to be one of the most assuring message of the Gospels.
Father God, it is your great Gospels that we proclaim. The mercy of Christ shields us from the righteous anger of Your rod. Our sinfulness, our awful sinfulness in God's sight, has been fully paid. Our pardon has been bought by Jesus' blood and so we have the forgiveness and liberty to proclaim this truth. Lord, help us as we seek to explain the Gospel and the certainty of our salvation to others. We pray that even with the least of us You give us the courage and conviction to someday soon, somehow lead others to learn of and believe in His saving grace and justification. Dear Lord, we pray we may find a fresh joy and exultation in God's great grace and everlasting love. For it is in Christ's name and for God's glory that we pray, Amen.
