SALVATION

“Saved from Sin’s Penalty, Power, and Presence”

BIBLE MEDITATION:

“And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.” 1 Thessalonians 5:23

ENCOURAGING WORD:

Most people do not understand the three steps of salvation, Justification, Sanctification and Glorification. Let me explain these three steps to the best of my knowledge. Salvation is explained by using three verbal tenses in the English language. The moment that you repent of your sins and believe on Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, it is then that you are saved from the penalty of sin. It means that you have been justified. At that moment it is as if you have never sinned. All your sins, past, present, and future have been paid for by the blood of Jesus Christ. After you become justified by faith, you then enter a process of sanctification, which means you are being saved from the power of sin. Here is what the scriptures say about this, Romans 8:1; “There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit.” Once you have received Jesus Christ and are born-again into the Holy Spirit, you are free from condemnation of sin from that point forward. Every sin that you have ever committed and ever will commit from that point on has been paid for by our Advocate, Jesus Christ. Ask yourself this question, “How many of your sins were yet future when Jesus Christ hung on the cross two thousand years ago?” All of them, Right?

Let us take a trip to the throne room of the universes where Jesus is now seated. Imagine, if you could see into the heavenly realm, you would see the Father sitting on the throne and Jesus Christ on His right-hand side. From here Jesus is making intersession for His Body of believers. The accuser, on the other hand who is Satan is accusing believer’s night and day before God. Every time we slip up and sin, and we will, Satan is right there to accuse you to the Father, saying, “Look at you’re your Christian did, He is not fit to be one of your children.” What most people do not understand is this, Satan still has access to the throne room of God. He has not been cast out of heaven as of yet. When Satan accuses us before the Father, Jesus, our advocate says, “Father, he is one of mine, his sins are paid in full,” Have you received Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior yet, so when Satan accuses you, you can be sure that your sins are paid for? Romans 6:23; Says, “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” If you die in your sinful state, you will stand before God at the White Throne judgement and you will be found guilty of every sin that you ever committed. The price of sin is eternal death and separation from God for all eternity. “But, by the free gift of God’s grace, all are made right with him through Christ Jesus, who sets them free. God offered Him, (Jesus) so that by His blood He should become the means by which people’s sins are forgiven through their faith in Him. In this way, God shows that He Himself is righteous and that He makes right everyone who believes in Jesus Christ.”

We read a few verses in the scriptures that express what Sanctification means to us. 1 Thessalonians 5:23; “Now may the God of peace himself sanctify you completely and may your whole spirit and soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.” During this time that you are being sanctified, you remain sinless because of the blood of Jesus Christ. No sins will be accounted to you throughout the rest of your life and therefore, when He (Jesus) returns, you will enter into His Kingdom as a purified soul without blemish before God. This, however, does not mean that you will not sin, it just means that your sins will not be accounted to you because Jesus Christ has already paid the penalty for you. Hebrews 10:10;tells us, “And by that will we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.” See, we can only be sanctified through the blood of Jesus Christ, and how do you do that you might ask? The Apostle Paul makes it very clear what we need to believe to be found righteous before the Lord. We read in 1 Corinthians 15:3-4; “For I delivered to you first of all that which I also received: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures.” The Old Testament prophesied that the Messiah would die for our sins, and that He would be buried, and that He would raise again from the dead the third day. All this happened just as was prophesied and when you truly accept this truth and believe it in your heart, it is then that you become justified and you are now on the path of Sanctification.  

 The third and final step of salvation is when you get to heaven, you will be glorified which means you will be saved from the presence of sin. In heaven, there will be no sin, the sin nature and the curse of sin will be forever removed. That is what happens when you enter into a saving relationship with Jesus Christ? You are justified immediately in your spirit. You are sanctified progressively in your soul. And you will be ultimately glorified in your body. Glorification can come only to those that are born-again into the Holy Spirit. We read in Acts 4:12; “Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.”  That name is Jesus Christ! “How does the Bible describe the glorified bodies we will possess in Heaven?” While the Bible does not describe in detail the glorified bodies we will receive in heaven, we know that they will be like that of Jesus’ (multi-dimensional) resurrected body. Our human bodies are described in 1 Corinthians 15:42–53 as perishable, dishonorable, and weak, all due to sin. Our glorified bodies will be imperishable, honorable, and powerful. Our new bodies will be no longer “natural” bodies, but “spiritual” bodies, no longer focused upon the natural senses but at one with the Holy Spirit. Our heavenly bodies will, however, have form and solidity to the touch, yet with no hindrance to travel. In this life, our bodies will eventually wither away and grow increasingly frail and eventually pass away. In heaven, life will go on forever and ever without any sign of aging or any other mortal effect of what we experience in this life. As imperishable bodies in heaven, we will no longer suffer from sickness and death, nor will they ever be subject to heat and cold or hunger and thirst. Our new bodies will be honorable in that they will not be shamed or shameful because of sin. Perfect beyond anything we could ever imagine.

The Apostle Paul puts it this way in 1 Corinthians 15: 50-58; “Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; nor does corruption inherit incorruption. Behold, I tell you a mystery: We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. So, when this corruptible has put on incorruption, and this mortal has put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written: “Death is swallowed up in victory.” “O Death, where is your sting? O Hades, where is your victory?” The sting of death is sin, and the strength of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, my beloved brethren, be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, knowing that your labor is not in vain in the Lord.” Just before we enter heaven, for those that have received Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior, they will be changed from a mere mortal to a glorified child of God in an instant or as the scriptures says above, “in the twinkling of an eye.”

2 Timothy 4:8; tells us, “in the future there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day; and not only to me, but also to all who have loved His appearing.” That day could be approaching a lot quicker than most people think. One question that we need to ponder is this, are we watching for His soon appearing as the Bible instructs us to do? We read this verse in Luke 21:36; “Watch therefore, and pray always that you may be counted worthy to escape all these things that will come to pass, and to stand before the Son of Man.” Watching is referring to understanding Bible Prophecy and what to watch for. Unfortunately, most people do not have a clue what they are to be watching for, because they have never been taught. We need to take this following verse very seriously because I believe the time is at hand, 1 Thessalonians 5:4; “But you, brothers, are not in the darkness so that this day should overtake you like a thief.” “For you are fully aware that the day of the Lord will come like a thief in the night.” 

ACTION POINT:

Once you have been justified, you will be in the presence of Jesus Christ and under His full hedge of protection. You can be sure that everything that happens to you is a result of Gods will for you and you can be sure that it is all working out for the good as we read in Romans 8:28; “And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.” Here are a few Bible verses that will bring comfort to you if you are God’s child. Psalm 32:7; “You are my hiding place; you shall preserve me from trouble; you shall surround me with songs of deliverance.” Psalm 41:2; “The Lord will preserve him (the believer) and keep him (the believer) alive, and he (the believer) will be blessed on the earth; You (Jesus) will not deliver him (the believer) to the will of his enemies.” Psalm 121:7-8; “The LORD shall preserve you (the believer) from all evil; He shall preserve your soul. The LORD shall preserveyou’re going out and you’re coming in from this time forth, and even forevermore.” We need to Praise God that we (the believer) are preserved unto salvation because it is the work of Jesus Christ, and not ours. Time is running out, so receive Jesus Christ today and know that you have been forgiven and will be forever with Jesus Christ in heaven. It is your choice, you will have no one to blame for the choice that you make but yourself when you stand before God in Judgement! “Written To the glory of God, Inspired by the Holy Spirit!” Amen!

From our Chaplin- R. Fritz

Saved from Sin’s Penalty, Power, Presence

Those that are saved and Born Again can be forgiven of all sins except Blasphemy against the Holy Ghost. Matthew 12:31-32 says and this is Jesus speaking “Wherefore I say unto you, All manner of sin and blasphemy shall be forgiven unto men: but the blasphemy against the Holy Ghost shall “not” be forgiven unto men. And whosoever speaketh a word against the Son of man, it shall be forgiven him: but whosoever speaketh against the Holy Ghost, it shall not be forgiven him, neither in this world, neither in the world to come.” This is really clear that if you speak against the Holy Ghost at “anytime,” you are not forgiven of that sin forever. You have condemned yourself. This is why the words you speak will affect your life cursing or blessing yourself or others and you will be judged in the day of judgement. Matthew 12:36-37 says, and this is Jesus speaking “But I say unto you. That every idle word that men shall speak; they shall give account thereof in the day of judgement. For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned.”  You are going to answer for every word that came out of your mouth. The blood of Jesus Christ is the atonement for past sins. Romans 3:25 says “Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God;” Only our past sins were forgiven through Jesus Christ. The Bible talks about walking in the light which is with the Holy Ghost indwelled in you. This is how you overcome sin. 1John 1:6-10 says “If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth: But if we walk in the light, as he is the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin. If we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.” We must confess our sins to be forgiven and found righteous. It also says we all sin and must repent of our sins. You have to understand what “repentance” of sin really is. It is turning from sin and turning to God. Sin is really Disobedience towards God and his Commands and this is how God sees it and how we should see it. If you are humble, and look at yourself, you will not see it any other way. I would look at myself and my heart and ask God if I am really “Born Again.” God is going to look at your heart and you will be judged. “Obedience” starts at the heart and if we love the Lord, we will obey and keep his commandments. John 14:15 says “If you love me, keep my commandments.”  Matthew 22 36-39 says “Master, which is the great commandment in the law? Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. Let me tell you a story that happened to me. I was at a Bible study a few years back and somebody did something that offended somebody. I did not say anything. The next morning, God said to me, Why did I let that happen? I wanted to give him an excuse until I understood who I was talking to. He told me, ‘’No Excuses.” From that time on when I could not accomplish what God wanted me to do. I never gave an excuse, I would say to God, Sorry just give me another chance and I will get it done. We are given grace. I love my God so much; he knows I will get it done somehow! Your actions will always show God where your heart is. I also know people who have lost the Holy Ghost indwelled in them because of their disobedience. A requirement to get to Heaven is to have the Holy Ghost indwelled in you. What I am saying is you can “Lose” your salvation. This person knows what he has to do to get it back. “REPENT”! and be obedient. In other words, he needs to do what he was supposed to do.

Some people think that if God wanted you to do something and you have not done it, you are off the hook and you will not have to do it. It does not necessarily work that way. That would be disobedient, and God is still expecting you to do it. When you do not hear the Holy Ghost every day or do not hear him anymore you will know what happened to you. One thing I know is our God is very patient with people. He knows when time is up and the Holy Ghost leaves. I have personally seen God being gracious to myself and others because they obey, and I see the times God has put me through different things to overcome my past and I could be more righteous. I have also learned to “trust” him and go along with what he wants. I have also seen firsthand what disobedience will do to people that did not obey the Lord, in one case for years. People want to make excuses, but God sees what is going on and you are not going to fool him. Romans 8:7-11, 14-16 says “Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. So, then they that are in the flesh cannot please God. But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God “dwell” in you. Now if any man has not the Spirit of Christ, he is “none” of his. And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of righteousness. But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead “dwell” in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you. For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God. For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear: but ye have received the Spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Abba, Father. The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:” This is where if you are of the flesh and not of the Spirit and the Spirit of Christ does not dwell In you, you are not one of his. The Holy Spirit shall quicken your spirit and you will know when something is not right. One thing I found was people trying to use grace for them to keep sinning. Grace is God’s tool for him to use when he wants to. We do not get to use it to justify our sins after we were saved by grace. Sin hardens the heart and when that happens, we are rejecting the work Jesus wants to do changing our heart. One thing I found was the times I had unknowingly not known I needed to forgive somebody, the Holy Spirit reminded me, so I could deal with it. If you really have the Holy Spirit, it will let you know if you have sinned and you can ask for forgiveness. Philippians 2:12-13 says “Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure. We are responsible for our salvation each and every day and disobedience will affect our relationship with God. It is our choice whether we make it or not. I pray that each and every person do their due diligence and study what was written. You need to know the truth because it will set you free.