The past few posts have discussed “Why would you want salvation?” Today we will begin the next part in the study. All Scripture is taken from the ESV Bible unless otherwise indicated. All italics within Scripture are mine. There are 6 conditions that we will discuss in this study. Today we will go over conditions 1, 2, & 3.
C. How do you get Salvation? What are the conditions?:
1). God’s Love: Of course, most will know John 3:16, “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life (KJV). But we cannot overlook 1 John 4:8b–10 which reads, “…God is love. (9)In this the love of God was made manifest among us, that God sent his only Son into the world, so that we might live through him. (10)In this is love, not that we have loved God but that he loved us and sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins.” And Romans 5:8, “…but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.” Because God loves us so much, and because our sin needed a punishment, God sent His son for us, to suffer and die. It was the only way.
2). God’s Grace & Mercy: We hear a lot about grace a mercy, but do we really know what they are as they pertain to God? Grace: unmerited divine assistance given humans for their regeneration or sanctification. We don’t deserve grace, but God freely gives it. Ephesians 2:8 helps to define grace, “For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God….” “…and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus…” (Rom. 3:24 NASB). Mercy: compassion shown to an offender; a blessing. Mercy is given to us when we deserve it the least. “…He saved us, not on the basis of deeds which we have done in righteousness, but according to His mercy…” (Titus 3:5 NASB). “According to his great mercy, he has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead” (1 Pet.1:3b). Even though we were sinners and enemies of God, God gave us a redeemer.
3). God’s Calling: All Christians are first called by God. No one can come to God without His first calling them. “[God] saved us and called us to a holy calling…” (2 Tim. 1:9). “…just as you were called to one hope when you were called…” (Eph. 4:4 NIV). God will call everyone at some point in their lives, for God wants all to be saved (2 Pet. 3:9). God calls us by the sovereign Holy Spirit who convicts us of our sin. It is our choice as to what we do with this calling and conviction. Some people have hardened their hearts against God so much that they don’t want to hear the calling, and therefore will not. Those whose hearts are receptive can say either “Here am I,” or they can say “No.” God will never force us to follow Him. But one thing is certain, we must be called. Attempting to acquire “fire insurance” so as to not go to hell does not work, called or not. The reason is the heart. God looks at and knows the heart of man, “for the Lord searches all hearts and understands every plan and thought…” (1 Chr. 28:9b). If we take His calling and act on it with a sincere heart, He will save us, for “He who calls you is faithful…” (1 Thes. 5:24a). What will you do with His calling?
There is so much more we could say about God’s great love, grace, and mercy! Please post any comments or questions you may have. Next time, we will discuss the third condition of salvation. Have a wonderfully blessed day!
Niki Ƹ>Ï<Ʒ
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