The Salvation Heresy, Pt. 2

The Salvation Heresy, Pt. 2

Last week we examined three distinct terms regarding Scripture’s take on salvation:

• Justification
• Sanctification
• Imputation

This week we will begin to look at God’s Word in regards to being counted righteous in Christ but before we do, let us go to the Lord in prayer.

Father, I ask that these typed words be Yours and that You would speak to the hearts of those reading this message. Give us a genuine understanding of the scriptures in that we would draw only Your intended interpretation. Amen.

In the book of Romans, Paul begins his discourse (1:18) talking about God’s wrath towards “all godlessness and unrighteousness of people.” From last week’s definition of imputation, we learned that it was by one man (Adam) that sin was brought into the world and imputed to all mankind. Likewise, Christ died for all, thus it was His righteousness imputed to those who would believe in Him that would spend eternity in heaven. In the same verse we learn that it is this very unrighteousness of people that “suppress the truth.” This truth is God’s personal righteousness and its opposition to human sinfulness. The truth of God is not only the truth concerning God, but also God’s truth concerning all things, mankind included. This truth is that people are creatures of God and can find true fulfillment only in living obediently to His Word. This is the righteousness God desires in His creation. This is true justification.

Because of Adam, we are all sinners. Like it or not, we are all born into sin. Because we are born into sin, by nature, we go against everything that God considers righteous; we love the things God loathes. The whole concept of free will is, in my opinion, mistaken for the heart’s desire. What man desires, comes from the heart. If I desire a candy bar as opposed to an orange, I’ll choose the candy bar for that is what I truly desire. The same can be said for a man’s will. If man’s nature and consequently his heart, is evil from birth (Genesis 8:21), he will not be able to choose God on his own accord. For man is depraved by nature and what is depraved will not choose something that stands in complete opposite of his own fleshly desires; that which is pure, holy, and good.

Many would argue the fact that man had his first act of free will at the Fall. Understand that sin was not even part of the equation at this point. In a world free from sin, man still made the conscious decision to rebel against the instruction of God. Eve was genuinely deceived by Satan, however Adam was genuinely rebellious. It was Adam’s decision that led him to eat the fruit fully knowing the rules set forth by God. Just as it was Adam’s decision to eat the fruit, it too was Cain’s decision to murder his brother, Abel. It was not God’s intention for man to sin. However, by God’s permissive will, He may bring about determined things on His own, or through secondary causes, including sin. Through sinful acts caused by creation, God’s plan is not frustrated, nor is God the origin of them (sinful acts).

So we’re sinners. Many of us will admit it. Many that are reading this may be searching; but for what? What are you searching for? Is it answers you want? Perhaps it’s someone to be honest and tell you straight. Well, there is no room for “candy coating” God’s truth because in the end, it will be those that have taught God’s Word that will be held in a stricter form of accountability (James 3:1).

So here’s the truth; you, me, all of mankind are sinners (Romans 3:23) and there is nothing that we can do of our own accord to fix it. It is because we are sinners that we will never get to spend eternity in heaven (Romans 6:23) but there is good news within the same passage of Scripture. God has given His creation a gift; a gift that has been sent to redeem Adam’s mistake; this gift is God’s Son, Jesus Christ. It is because of Christ that we have a chance (Romans 5:8). God does not have to prove Himself to anyone, but He did. It is because of His unending love for mankind; His love for you; that He would send literally Himself through His Son to die as an atonement in our place. Scripture tells us that by confessing and believing that very act will save us (Romans 10:9). But is one's belief genuine? Only God knows the heart of His people.

It is only God that knows if a person’s belief is genuine; however next week, we will examine God’s Word even further to see how we can recognize true believers verses those that may be false.

Father, open our hearts and minds to accept even the difficult passages that convict us. Thank you for giving us a fighting chance to spend eternity with you. Thank you for giving us Your Word that serves as a guide and road map; leading us closer to You and Your truths. I pray for those searching for answers; those that feel unloved and unwanted. The truth is that you love us. You love us! regardless of what we have done, You love us. Amen.