26 November 2023

SALVATION AND NEW LIFE

(Growing in Faith, in Truth & in Spirit: GFTS 22)

The Bible is very clear about the promise of salvation: “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and you will be saved” (Acts16:31). Our Lord Jesus, the Son of God Himself said, “Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life; but whoever rejects the Son will not see life, for God’s wrath remains on them” (John 3:36). Faith in Christ is a very personal thing as it has to do with the heart. But who knows about someone’s heart who says he believes? Only God knows. Hence, we are not to judge, as we really cannot know.

But the Bible tells us that not only does God know but says that there must be evidence that the person has experienced salvation because of his true faith. This is the assurance given: “But God's firm foundation stands, bearing this seal: "The Lord knows those who are His," and, "Let everyone who names the Name of the Lord depart from iniquity." (2 Tim.2:19 -ESV).

God knows and sees the heart. Jeremiah 17:9-10 says, “The heart is deceitful above all things and desperately wicked; who can know it? I, the LORD, search the heart, and examine the mind” . Hebrews 4:13: “Everything is uncovered and laid bare before the eyes of Him to Whom we must give account”. We can fool others but not God! He knows those who are His.

We may not be able to discern the heart but we can see the evidence of one who has sincerely believed in his heart. The evidence is his changed life: “Let everyone who names the Name of the Lord depart from iniquity." The Bible says that “If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new” (2 Cor.5:17). The result of knowing Christ and salvation is a transformed life seen in holy living. The command of God is “Let everyone who names the Name of the Lord depart from iniquity." Before becoming followers of Christ, we were living under the power of Satan and sin. Jesus said, “Whoever commits sin is a slave of sin” (John 8:34). We were living in moral and spiritual darkness and heading for judgment and eternal damnation.

The Bible is very clear about those who have believed and received Christ as Lord and Saviour. Salvation means deliverance from the power of sin and judgment because of forgiveness through the Blood of Christ. Their lives have been changed by the power of God the Holy Spirit so that they can live a holy life that is pleasing to the Holy God. Holiness is proof of our salvation and sincere faith in Christ. God’s Word also warns us, “Without holiness no one shall see the Lord” (Heb. 12:14).

Hence it is imperative that the true believer “who names the Name of the Lord depart from iniquity." We cannot say that we have believed in Christ and are saved, yet live a worldly life. That is contradicting the Word of God and nullifying the work of Christ on the Cross. The Apostle James wrote, “Faith without works is dead” meaning, show by your action and behaviour that your faith is sincerely true and your salvation is real. 

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