Complete salvation…

Now you, brothers, like Isaac, are children of promise. But just as at that time he who was born according to the flesh persecuted him who was born according to the Spirit, so also it is now. But what does the Scripture say? “Cast out the slave woman and her son, for the son of the slave woman shall not inherit with the son of the free woman.” So, brothers, we are not children of the slave but of the free woman. For freedom Christ has set us free; stand firm therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery. Look: I, Paul, say to you that if you accept circumcision, Christ will be of no advantage to you. I testify again to every man who accepts circumcision that he is obligated to keep the whole law. You are severed from Christ, you who would be justified by the law; you have fallen away from grace. For through the Spirit, by faith, we ourselves eagerly wait for the hope of righteousness. For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision counts for anything, but only faith working through love. (Galatians 4:28–5:6)

Paul’s illustration comes from OT history, a story that is current today. The offspring of the slave woman are still persecuting the offspring of Abraham, the man who is called the father of faith. They are not members of the same family as those who have the faith of Abraham.

Faith removes the yoke of “I must do it myself” that carries the load of keeping all the laws in order to be right with God. Jesus Christ removes that yoke and sets me free by doing it for me. Being “in Christ” means this is how God sees me — sinless because I am hidden in His Son by faith because He loves me.

In the NT, many verses speak of what faith working through love looks like, but no one can take credit for that; it is the work of Christ who works in us like a hand in a glove. This is why Paul could say God's strength is perfected in weakness (gloves are useless without the hand) and that he was the chief of sinners, yet his life was one of amazing obedience.

These verses build me up. I know that without Him, I cannot do anything that warrants approval. Obviously not circumcision, but even the love He speaks of and demonstrates is beyond me. Everything I do apart from faith is not only useless, it is also sin. (Romans 14:23) The NT also says:

But the Scripture imprisoned everything under sin, so that the promise by faith in Jesus Christ might be given to those who believe. (Galatians 3:22)

Yes, I still sin, yet the wonder of faith in Christ, He also promises:

If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. (1 John 1:9)

Therefore, God's salvation is utterly amazing and total. He takes care of every possible issue or argument that anyone might give or use as an excuse to say NO to the invitation of Jesus Christ to put their faith in Him.

Lord, doubts come. It is easier to walk by sight and give up hope when prayers go unanswered or even are not prayed. We humans want what we want right now. But You love us and take care of us and use even trials to transform our lives that we are more like You. Jesus, You are so easy to love with all my heart! Thank You for such a total salvation!

“I can do it myself”

Most mothers know the words in this title. they come from little ones who want to demonstrate their skills, often long before they are able. I have three children. When they announced their determination to be independent long before they were able to ‘do it myself’ I told the first two that they were too young and shut them down. For the third one, I let him try and find out for himself that he was not able.

I don’t know if that made a lot of difference in their view of salvation, but that attitude remains in human hearts when it comes to pleasing God or obtaining eternal life. Like the rich young ruler who came to Jesus and asked, “What must I do to be saved?” this is a the normal approach of people seeking eternal life. 

This morning, I read about a group of Jews who insisted that salvation involves human effort or human works. . . .  

But some men came down from Judea and were teaching the brothers, “Unless you are circumcised according to the custom of Moses, you cannot be saved.” (Acts 15:1)
This flies in the face of the gospel that says: “For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.” (Ephesians 2:8–9)

On that occasion, the leaders of the early church responded:

Now, therefore, why are you putting God to the test by placing a yoke on the neck of the disciples that neither our fathers nor we have been able to bear? But we believe that we will be saved through the grace of the Lord Jesus, just as they will. (Acts 15:10–11)

Instead of circumcision, they did target a few things that particular group of new believers needed to watch out for and not do:

Therefore my judgment is that we should not trouble those of the Gentiles who turn to God, but should write to them to abstain from the things polluted by idols, and from sexual immorality, and from what has been strangled, and from blood. For from ancient generations Moses has had in every city those who proclaim him, for he is read every Sabbath in the synagogues. (Acts 15:19–21)

In other words, they knew the laws Moses gave and knew they could not save themselves, but there were past sins that they needed to avoid because they were vulnerable to them. Most of us know how this is. Our problem is thinking we can overcome our bad habits, or do something ourselves to be stronger Christians.

I’ve heard similar thinking among cults and even Christians who try to add something we must do to perfect our faith in Christ. One large denomination believes that if a Christian is not keeping all the commandments before they die, they cannot be saved. A cult believes that Christ died to give them the right to earn their salvation. Some Christians struggle with the idea that they must do certain things or they are not Christians. That attitude of childhood carries forward and “I will do it myself” pops up even in serving God. 

To this, Jesus said. . . .  

I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. (John 15:5)

And Paul echoed that when he asked God to remove a troubling weakness in his life:

Three times I pleaded with the Lord about this, that it should leave me. But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. (2 Corinthians 12:8–9)

The idea is that “I must do something” — better than thinking God or others will do it all and I can do whatever I want, but if that ‘something’ is only what I want, or motivated and energized by the sinful nature, or anything other than the Spirit of God, it is ignoring Him to do my own thing. No matter how good that might look, it is sin…

All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned—every one—to his own way; and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all. (Isaiah 53:6)

PRAY: Sin, even the sin of trying to show my faith by doing what I think You want without talking or listening to You or being filled with Your Spirit, may interfere with Your will. But not only that, it is an insult that declares my ways are better or just as good as Your ways. May I simply trust You, seeking Your will and Your guidance in all things — never boasting but giving You glory. Always. Forgive all notions and actions that think I can do it by myself. I need You just to breathe, never mind to live a godly life.

He knows all yet was willing to die for all…

 

Today, after our holiday and after this move, and even though our home is not yet organized, I get back to the routine of praying with others for a couple hours. This morning I read more of Charnock’s amazing book, a section on the omniscience of God. He knows all things just as the Bible says in verses like these:

O Lord, you have searched me and known me! You know when I sit down and when I rise up; you discern my thoughts from afar. You search out my path and my lying down and are acquainted with all my ways. Even before a word is on my tongue, behold, O Lord, you know it altogether. (Psalm 139:1–4)

Charnock points out that prayer is not to administer knowledge to God, but to acknowledge this admirable perfection of His nature. If God did not know, why pray? It would be like asking a statue, or a photograph, or any idol to protect and care for me. Instead, I’m talking with One who knows, and that alone is a comfort.

For lack of knowledge, people misunderstand people. On Sunday, a person asked me if I could drop in anytime to visit my adult children. He asked in several ways and told me that no one seemed to understand his question. Of course I didn’t — I’m not omniscient and needed more information. Were his children annoyed with him for showing up without letting them know? Was he troubled by their busyness and wanting to make plans before coming over? I could only guess, but God never has to guess.

Charnock points to Jonah who tried to hide from God, as if God did not know that he fled to Tarshish. Charnock mentions the brothers of Joseph who didn’t tell their father what happened to his favored son. Did they think God didn’t know? He also says that people tend to more easily confess visible sins than those held in secret, as if the observations of others are more incentive than the knowledge of God.
The reading for today even suggests that some will reverse the meaning of Bible promises or add to them in an expression of their unbelief. For example, “Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted” (Matthew 5:4) becomes “Blessed are they that rejoice, for they, and they only, shall be comforted.”

As a prayer leader, I need to watch out for such things and encourage faith, not only in our small group but in my own prayer life. The author of this reading says this is a problem of unbelief, yet I would add the sin of pride also motivates it. Compare being needy and asking for help with being so needy that ‘even God cannot help’ as one way to avoid honoring Him.

PRAY: Jesus, that true crime story I read yesterday gave me a shocking glimpse into the human heart. Lack of faith in You can result in extreme selfish thinking and actions that nothing else matters. What amazes me that it is for all sin You died. You bore the shame and the punishment for my sin and for unspeakable sins, even knowing that “The gate is narrow and the way is hard that leads to life, and those who find it are few.” (Matthew 7:14) I’m in awe, not only that You know all things, but that You also came to earth to save sinners — all who sin, including me.

I’m His because He is mine…

Today’s reading is a prayer of consecration. The author ends each section with, “Help me, oh my God!” Before reading it, I sang several songs with praise to God for the reality that He does help us. I do belong to Him. It was His choice, not mine.

You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name, he may give it to you. (John 15:16)

Yes, I also must yield myself to Him, not that my willingness makes Him work in my life, but that my resistance slows down the process. One day I will be like Him, whether I fully cooperate or not.

Beloved, we are God’s children now, and what we will be has not yet appeared; but we know that when he appears we shall be like him, because we shall see him as he is. And everyone who thus hopes in him purifies himself as he is pure. (1 John 3:2–3)

If I focus on my own I-wants in fleshy selfishness, He will work to change that focus. He may use the reading of His Word, or good sermons, or rebukes from friends, or trials that break my stubborn will, or it might be on that final journey’s end when I see Him face-to-face, but He choose me to be His child and to bear fruit in His name. All resistance is useless and a waste of time and effort.

Could I win a battle with Almighty God and His purposes? Maybe for a time. Maybe on certain occasions, but only to see the futility of my way vs. His eternal purposes for me. Learning this is learning to say “I give you my….” whatever I am withholding. As the reading says, it could be my thoughts, likes, dislikes, the management of my life and plans, what I see, hear, where I go and who I spend time with, what I do with my time, the words that I say, the people I love, how I treat those I know and do not know, including those whose way of life is good and those who are evil.

When Jesus said, “Not my will, but thine be done” He was yielding up His very life. He always offered all He did and said and wanted to do to His heavenly Father. That is consecration.

And because Jesus is my Savior, this is not up to me and my willingness to yield. He said He would do it — whether here in this life or with Him in eternity. I am His. It helps me to think that way and to realize the wonder of being at peace when I stop thinking or acting as if I run my own life.

PRAY: Jesus, what more can be said? I am consecrated to You because You consecrated Yourself to my full salvation. I know You are committed to help me become totally willing. Because of You, it is possible to be totally committed to Your plan for my life and my destiny. Apart from You, I’m useless and unable, like a glove without a hand. With You, this useless glove can move mountains.

God knows the human heart

 

It’s distressing when professing Christians place the emphasis on human effort for effective Christian living. This is contrary to the NT where the emphasis is on the power of God. He is our Savior, not we ourselves.

In my own life, I’m disgusted with my tendency to make ‘self’ the subject of conversation even though I’m deeply aware that without Jesus, I am nothing and unable to do anything. I’m also aware that some people don’t want to hear that. Some church friends would rather talk about their part in the saving of their souls and their battle against sin.

Today, this passage comes to mind. The devotional says God trains people using our background skills and experiences, yet the NT focus is on the power of Christ to change our lives.

For the word of the cross is folly to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God. For it is written, “I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and the discernment of the discerning I will thwart.” Where is the one who is wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the debater of this age? Has not God made foolish the wisdom of the world? For since, in the wisdom of God, the world did not know God through wisdom, it pleased God through the folly of what we preach to save those who believe. For Jews demand signs and Greeks seek wisdom, but we preach Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and folly to Gentiles, but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. For the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men. For consider your calling, brothers: not many of you were wise according to worldly standards, not many were powerful, not many were of noble birth. But God chose what is foolish in the world to shame the wise; God chose what is weak in the world to shame the strong; God chose what is low and despised in the world, even things that are not, to bring to nothing things that are, so that no human being might boast in the presence of God. And because of him you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God, righteousness and sanctification and redemption, so that, as it is written, “Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord.” (1 Corinthians 1:18–31)

For Christians, God’s power is in the death of Christ. (See also Philippians 3:4-11) Also His wisdom is beyond ours. Human thinking is about trying harder, relying on our experiences, talents, and other ‘God-given’ resources as if all we possess is part of what God needs to make us like Jesus. Yet this passage and others say our salvation is not of ourselves and we have no ground for boasting or pointing to ourselves in any way.

For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them. (Ephesians 2:8–10)

Jesus redeems us and becomes our righteousness and sanctification. He keeps us and promises that when we see Him face to face, we will be like Him (1 John 3:1-3). Our eternal life starts now, not when we die, because Christ who is our life lives in us. Nothing can separate us from His love. Our security is not about being sinless or obedient. Any good we do is the result of being saved, not the means.

Some will ask, why then all the NT warnings about falling back? These warnings point to the danger of apostacy, of abandoning religious faith. The Bible makes clear that some will make professions of faith in Jesus Christ but never genuinely receive Him as Savior. He is not in their lives and yet they assume that because they believe something about Him, they are Christians, yet even the demons believe and tremble.

Pretend believers eventually turn away from Christ because they never really trusted Him to begin with. “They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would have continued with us. But they went out, that it might become plain that they all are not of us.” (1 John 2:19)

Jesus, I realize that the warnings are important, but not more important than the clear promises that You will finish what You start in true believers. The warnings teach me how to identify who is who, who needs prayer and who is a weed alongside the wheat. You warn of this by quoting this verse:

And the Lord said: “Because this people draw near with their mouth and honor me with their lips, while their hearts are far from me, and their fear of me is a commandment taught by men . . . .” (Isaiah 29:13)

You affirm that true faith is revealed by my words and actions. Christians bear fruit in varying degrees but the Holy Spirit produces this fruit — in Your people, but not in those who fake it. No fruit? No faith and no Jesus.

READ 1 John again, looking for evidence of true faith and thinking how no faith displays the opposites.