26 July 2010

“Salvation: There’s More…” Part 3c, Condition 5

Today we will be discussing the 5th condition for salvation.  The last post was a little long, but that’s how it goes sometimes.  This one is a bit shorter for you ;-).  All Scripture is taken from the ESV Bible unless indicated.  All italics within Scripture are mine.

C. How do you get Salvation? What are the conditions?: 

5). Conviction, Repentance, & Faith.  This is where “our choice” comes in.  We have nothing to do with the first four conditions of salvation, but with these three things we have some say.  Conviction is a work of the Holy Spirit, often through other people such as pastors or Christians sharing the gospel, but we have a choice as to how we react to that conviction.  The Holy Spirit stirs us, makes us realize our sinful nature and our severed relationship with God; it gives us a sense of guilt and shame, and it doesn’t just affect the mind, but the whole person.  Conviction is basically an eye opener for us.  It shows us how we are separated from God by sin and how we can correct it.  Conviction brings faith and leads to repentance.  We can ignore the conviction, or we can continue this salvation process on to repentance.

Upon conviction comes repentance.  Although we determine whether or not to repent, our repentance is initiated by God through His grace.  Webster’s gives a few good and quite biblical definitions of repentance: 1) to turn from sin and dedicate oneself to the amendment of one’s life.  2a) to feel regret or contrition (grief for sin).  2b) to change one’s mind.  “Dedicate” in the first definition means “to devote to the worship of God; to set apart to sacred uses, to commit to a way of life” (Webster’s).  “Amend” means “to change for the better, to put right.”  Not only is repentance committing to a different way of life, but committing to a better, right way of life…one in fellowship and obedience to God.  With repentance, you must, realizing your complete unworthiness, turn from self to God, and turn away from sin; it is like making a U–turn.  “Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out…” (Acts 3:19 NIV).  Repentance is more than just feeling sorry for our sins.  First, it has to be a godly sorrow.  “For godly grief produces a repentance that leads to salvation without regret, whereas worldly grief produces death” (2 Cor. 7:10).  “…they should repent and turn to God, performing deeds in keeping with their repentance” (Acts 26:20).  You are not saved through works, but your works are a sign of the reality of sincere repentance.  Again, it is analogous to making a U–turn.  It is also called conversion, a definite and decisive action; you’re either converted or you’re not.  It is the start of our salvation.  As you turn to God, you must do so through Jesus Christ; you must believe in Jesus and place your faith in Him.  True repentance is always accompanied by faith.  It is impossible to have a saving faith and not sincere repentance, and vice versa.

Faith is a loyalty and a commitment to Christ; a confidence and trust in Christ over your life that is not substantiated by proof.  It is not a matter of the mind, but of the heart.  You must have faith to be saved.  “And without faith it is impossible to please [God], for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him” (Heb. 11:6).  And Acts 20:21 tells us that “they must turn to God in repentance and have faith in our Lord Jesus.”  “For by grace you have been saved through faith…” (Eph. 2:8a).  Faith is not simply believing facts about Jesus, for even Satan and his demons believe (James 2:19), rather, it’s putting your trust in Him and following in obedience to Him.

In who or what is your faith?  I pray that you put it in Christ Jesus.  Have a great day!  Please continue to pray for our friends.

Niki Ƹ>Ï<Ʒ

(FYI, I don’t use the word “whom,” I think it sounds rather dumb, haughty, & archaic :).

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