Other Names for Sin and Salvation - Part 9

References:

(1) We are still involved with discussing the 5th point: Salvation has to be proclaimed. That means Christians are to be obedient to the Great Commission. We will soon discuss the 6th point: Salvation has to be lived.

(2) Christians are called Christ’s AMBASSADORS (2 Cor. 5:18-20). Can an ambassador FUNCTION by saying NOTHING and KEEPING HIDDEN the good news? How does the love of God dwell within us if we do not keep this commandment of the Great Commission? In the closing sentence of the Great Commission, Jesus said, “Lo, I am with always, even to the end of the age” (Matt. 28:20). The believer in Christ can be sure that though he be forsaken by all others, there is Christ Jesus who will stand by him, AND He has promised to work with us.

(3) Every single person needs to hear the gospel.

(4) Salvation is not about individuals taking certain steps to EARN salvation.

(5) God requires ONE STEP of us — receiving Jesus Christ as our Savior from sin and fully trusting in Christ ALONE as the WAY OF SALVATION. That is what DISTINGUISHES the Christian faith from ALL OTHER WORLD RELIGIONS, each of which has a list of steps that must be followed in order for salvation to be received. The Christian faith recognizes that God has ALREADY COMPLETED the steps and simply calls on the repentant person to receive Christ by faith.

(6) God requires ONE STEP of us — receiving Jesus Christ as our Savior from sin and fully trusting in Christ ALONE as the WAY OF SALVATION. That is what DISTINGUISHES the Christian faith from ALL OTHER WORLD RELIGIONS, each of which has a list of steps that must be followed in order for salvation to be received. The Christian faith recognizes that God has ALREADY COMPLETED the steps and simply calls on the repentant person to receive Christ by faith.

(7) In his book Christian Theology (p. 959) Millard Erickson says, “Even faith is not some good work which God must reward with salvation. It is God’s GIFT. It is not the CAUSE of our salvation, but the MEANS by which we RECEIVE it. And, contrary to the thinking of some, it has ALWAYS BEEN the means of salvation.”

(8) Difference between Paul and James: Paul is using the word “justified” to mean “declared righteous by God.” In Rom. 4:3 Paul is using Genesis 15:6 where “Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.” This refers to the beginning of justification in Abraham’s life. James, on the other hand, is using the same word “justified” to mean “being demonstrated and proved.” In James 2:21 he writes, “Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered Isaac his son on the altar?” He is using Genesis 22:1-19 describing a LATER EVENT in Abraham’s life.

(9) Paul means justified BEFORE GOD; James means justified BEFORE MAN. James is not saying that justification before God is by faith PLUS WORKS in order TO BE SAVED, but that a person who is TRULY SAVED will be obedient to the commandment to share the gospel and participate in the work of the kingdom of God.

(10) In the Christian church, despite the protestations of some, the historical basis for the relationship between faith and works is that salvation cannot be EARNED. Nothing we DO merits God’s gracious gift of salvation. Works are a MANIFESTATION OF salvation and NOT PART of the CAUSE or a CONDITION of salvation. Salvation comes ONLY by faith in Christ.

This is episode 187.