Salvation Assured SALVATION BY FAITH ALONE
But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption. 1 Cor. 1:30.
When the sinner realizes that because of what Jesus did on the cross, he is accepted just as he is, this realization begins the transformation of his life. Sanctification therefore is based solidly on justification. If it isn't, it's going to end up misunderstood and confused. Sometimes we split theological hairs and try to decide which is the most important aspect of salvation--justification, sanctification, or glorification.
Which do you think is more important, getting married or staying married? I could recite some of the advantages to getting married. I also understand that there are some tremendous advantages to staying married once you have gotten married. Which of the two do you think is more important? Or is that a foolish question?
Which is more important, justification or sanctification? They are both important! For different reasons, maybe; but both are important. Both come in Jesus, and are by faith in Jesus, and are by faith alone in Jesus. We are not saying that works are not important, but we are talking about method, and the method for salvation is by faith alone.
"Let no man present the idea that man has little or nothing to do in the great work of overcoming; for God does nothing for man without his cooperation. Neither say that after you have done all you can on your part, Jesus will help you. Christ has said, 'Without me ye can do nothing.' "--Selected Messages, book 1, p. 381. "All that man can possibly do toward his own salvation is to accept the invitation, 'Whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely."--Ibid., p. 343. That's all he can do. So there's something for us to do, but all we can do is to take the water of life freely. But that's an intangible. So what is the water of life? "In this communion with Christ, through prayer and the study of the great and precious truths of His word, we shall as hungry souls be fed; as those that thirst, we shall be refreshed at the fountains of life."--Thoughts From the Mount of Blessing, p. 113. (Italics supplied.) That's all we can do toward our own salvation--justification, sanctification, or glorification. Communion with Him. It's that simple.
But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption. 1 Cor. 1:30.
When the sinner realizes that because of what Jesus did on the cross, he is accepted just as he is, this realization begins the transformation of his life. Sanctification therefore is based solidly on justification. If it isn't, it's going to end up misunderstood and confused. Sometimes we split theological hairs and try to decide which is the most important aspect of salvation--justification, sanctification, or glorification.
Which do you think is more important, getting married or staying married? I could recite some of the advantages to getting married. I also understand that there are some tremendous advantages to staying married once you have gotten married. Which of the two do you think is more important? Or is that a foolish question?
Which is more important, justification or sanctification? They are both important! For different reasons, maybe; but both are important. Both come in Jesus, and are by faith in Jesus, and are by faith alone in Jesus. We are not saying that works are not important, but we are talking about method, and the method for salvation is by faith alone.
"Let no man present the idea that man has little or nothing to do in the great work of overcoming; for God does nothing for man without his cooperation. Neither say that after you have done all you can on your part, Jesus will help you. Christ has said, 'Without me ye can do nothing.' "--Selected Messages, book 1, p. 381. "All that man can possibly do toward his own salvation is to accept the invitation, 'Whosoever will, let him take the water of life freely."--Ibid., p. 343. That's all he can do. So there's something for us to do, but all we can do is to take the water of life freely. But that's an intangible. So what is the water of life? "In this communion with Christ, through prayer and the study of the great and precious truths of His word, we shall as hungry souls be fed; as those that thirst, we shall be refreshed at the fountains of life."--Thoughts From the Mount of Blessing, p. 113. (Italics supplied.) That's all we can do toward our own salvation--justification, sanctification, or glorification. Communion with Him. It's that simple.
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