Salvation, Gospel, Etc

1.1.10

“To open their eyes…that they may receive…” (Acts 26:18)

This verse is a full revelation of what takes place and new birth and what allows for the soul to go from wanting it’s own way to wanting God’s way. To no longer living for self, but for Him who died and rose again on our behalf. The first sovereign work of God that a person receives in the work of salvation in the forgiveness of their sins. When we don’t realize this we keep on struggling for His acceptance, approval, and affirmation…feeling as if we have not done enough to be right with God, forgetting completely that what Jesus did on our behalf was the perfect sacrifice, offering, and payment for our sins!

Salvation means we have been brought to a place were we are able to receive something from God on the authority of Jesus Christ, viz., the remission of sin. Step one is grace through faith, not of us, completely a gift from God. Has salvation been a gift to you? Or has it been something you have worked to obtain, something that you have earned before God, or feel entitled to somehow? Depending on ones response will depend if we are living our life completely as a gift from God experience the freedom that comes from receiving or if we’re still trying to obtain righteousness by our good deeds. Either the Christian life is simple b/c we ‘re not trying to do it in our own strength or self-righteousness or it’s difficult b/c we’re trying to do it apart from Him.

Salvation is a gift, something to receive, not something to be obtained. Justified by faith. Sanctified by faith. He choose us first, we did not chose Him first. Our job begins and remains learning to receive as a child would from his parent. Our sanctification is not different, we must learn to receive God’s unearned, unmerited favor and working in our life by faith in Jesus and His finish work on the cross. He worked and became poor that we would receive and become rich! Through His one time offering He made us perfect for all time, canceling out the certificate of degrees against us.

“to open their eyes so that they may turn from darkness to light and from the dominion of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and an inheritance among those who have been sanctified by faith in Me.” (Acts 26:18)

Justified by faith, sanctified by faith = must be received as a gift from God.


1.1.12

The message of the Christian life for many believers and pulpits is a “just do it” Nike slogan that calls people to work hard, rely on their own strength, and perfect their own righteousness, instead of relying fully and abandon all to the power of God for transformation, and the righteousness that comes by faith alone. The gospel is not central to their life, which is why they feel they need to just do it, making themselves an idol and turning worship into what they have accomplished, and robbing God of the glory found in a life of rest and faith in His finished work.

Gospel

“The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand; repent and believe in the gospel” (Mark 1:15). For Jesus, the gospel was this: the kingdom of God is here. It required a change of heart and a response of faith and obedience. It was a change of allegiance that would forever alter the direction of one’s life.

The gospel of the kingdom is good news that the King has come! This was what the disciples (Matt 10:7) and John the Baptist (Luke 3:18) as well as Jesus himself (Mark 1:14-15) were preaching.

Gospel

To tell people the gospel is to announce the kingdom or kingship of God and his Christ. Through the gospel, we command people to submit to Jesus…we’re ambassadors of he coming King, going ahead to warn of His coming . If people acknowledge lordship, they will experience his coming rule as blessing, life, and salvation. If they reject him, they will experience his coming conquest and judgment