God's Plan of Salvation
Salvation is the beginning of God's Plan of Redemption working in us as a free gift from Jesus, God's Son, who paid the price required at the Cross and was raised from the dead as the Way of Salvation to mankind(Eph 2:1-10). Each of us must be born again (from above) to see and enter the Kingdom of God (John 3:3-8). Salvation comes to us only through Jesus and the Holy Spirit and no other way (John 10:7-18).
How are we saved?
Believe with faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and you will be saved (Acts 16:30-31). For whoever calls upon the Name of the Lord Jesus shall be saved (Rom 10:9-13). God's new Heart and Life replaces our old dead ones, so that we may live our Life in Christ as forgiven, delivered, and overcoming sin, self, and the world (Rom 6:4-11).
The Plan of Salvation was shown in the Old Testament (Ezekiel 36:25-27)(heart transplant). God made man as a three part being (1 Thessalonians 5:23)(spirit, soul, and body) and God has a Plan for each part (1 John 5:6-8)(Blood, Water, and Holy Spirit)
- Justification (Born again "sight" only of kingdom of God) (John 3:3):
- One time Gift from God (Jesus' Blood)(Romans 5:8-9)
- Renews in man our spirit (heart) to be born from above(Hebrews 10:19-22)
- Sanctification (Born of water-"entrance" into kingdom of God)(John 3:5):
- Cleansing Process from God (1 Thessalonians 4:3-6)(Jesus' Water)
- Renews in man our soul (Ephesians 5:25-27)(mind) to be the mindful of Christ(Romans 12:1-3)
- Glorification (Born of spirit-"entrance" into kingdom of God) (John 3:5-8):
- Continual Presence of God (1 Corinthians 6:17-20)(His Holy Spirit)
- Renews in man our body (flesh) to glorify God (Ephesians 1:13-14)
Our participation in His Plan (Romans 8:16-19)is to put off flesh, renew our mind, and put on Christ's Love (Collosians 3:1-14). If (John 15:1-17) we live in Christ and His Love, then Christ's Love is in us. The final aspect of His Plan is Christ in you (others) (Colossians 1:26-29). This is the hope of God's glory.
Two Different Ways to Live
Those who Ask, Seek, and Knock will receive our Lord's Gifts on His Way of Life (Matthew 7:7-12). The wide entrance, or "gate," is only the beginning (Matthew 7:13), but the broad "way" leads to destruction. Narrow entrance or "gate" is only the beginning, but the difficult "way" leads to life (Matthew 7:14). Only "few" who pass through the narrow gate seek to "find" the difficult "way" to life. (Matthew 7:14-23)
God Allows Our Free Will Choice of Two Ways (Luke 16:13)
Our life in the world can be likened to riding in a Limousine, which is speeding down the broad road on cruise control. The Limo represents our world with all of our lustful desires and fleshly comforts. However, a Rock in the road causes a flat tire, which causes us to get out of our Limo and examine our situation. We see a narrow gate, which is far too small for our Limo, and also another, more difficult way leading in the opposite direction. There are many big churches on the broad road, but only individuals walking on the difficult way. Each of us must choose to turn away from our Limo and enter the narrow gate in order to find and then walk on the Way of Christ. We should not simply put a Jesus sticker on our Limo and continue down the broad road.
God's Forgiveness of Sin
As sinners, we can only approach God because of the Blood of Jesus (Hebrews 10:19-22). The "If"s" mean we must choose between two different ways (1 John 1:6-10), but bring all to the Light. Repentance is required to turn away from sin before becoming righteous (Luke 5:31-32). Jesus, our Advocate when we sin (1 John 2:1-3), allows us to know and obey Him that we may not sin. We should confess our sins, and then forsake them, and then God shows mercy (Proverbs 28:13). We should rule or choose to overcome sin, but with Adam's nature it is difficult (Genesis 4:7-9).
Two Results of Sin
If a wicked man turns from sin and does what's right, then he will be forgiven and live (Ezekiel 18:21-22). If a righteous man turns from righteousness, his works will be forgotten, and he shall die (Ezekiel 18:24).
The Cross of Christ is the Answer to the Fall of Man
Shall we continue in sin that God's grace may abound to us? (Romans 6:1-2) NO! We died with Christ to sin on the Cross and His resurrection brought us Life (Romans 6:1-11).
- We were baptized into His death, when we were baptized into Christ Jesus (Romans 6:3)
- All mankind was placed in Jesus, when He was lifted up and died on the Cross (John 12:32-33)
- When we believe and are baptized in Christ Jesus, we were buried with Him (Romans 6:4)
- We also were resurrected with Him (Romans 6:4-5)
- Our old man (Adam's nature) was crucified to render our flesh body inoperative (Romans 6:6)
- The Cross brought death to the sin nature, that allows us to be alive in Christ (Romans 6:7-11)
- The Cross brings us power to rule against sin and choose to obey God's righteousness (romans 6:12-18)
The Message of the Cross is the Power of God
The Gospel of Christ is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes (Romans 1:16). The Message of the Cross is the power of God to us who are being saved (1 Corinthians 1:17-18). We should preach Christ crucified as the Gospel (1 Corinthians 1:22-23) to everyone; Not by excellence of speech or wisdom (1 Corinthians 2:1) among the babes in Christ, but we must choose to know only Jesus Christ and Him crucified in our conduct (1 Corinthians 2:2-5).
The Message of the Cross Offers the Power of God for All Three Parts of Man
- BODY (our flesh body with law of sin) can be dead to sin, but alive to righteousness (Romans 6:7-18)
- SOUL (includes the law of our mind) can choose to serve the law of God (Romans 7:22-25)
- SPIRIT (renewed spirit with law of the spirit) can live in Spirit & reveal God's glory (Romans 8:1-19)