Salvation by Grace and Sanctification
Salvation by Grace
and Eternal Security
It could be said that the entire Bible is about this one thing – Salvation. In the opening chapters of the Bible, we learn that God created a world and in it, created man and woman. Due to the sin in a man’s heart, he chooses to rebel against God. God spends the rest of the Bible offering ways for man to restore his relationship with God, offering him a means of salvation from his sin. In the Old Testament, the system of sacrifices and laws was offered to gain forgiveness for sin. In the New Testament, the one perfect and final sacrifice is offered in the person of Jesus Christ, God’s only son. Following the Gospel account of this story, the rest of Scripture helps explain how those that have been saved are to live and act. Since God has taken so much time to explain the concept of salvation, it is important that we learn exactly what is taught.
Regeneration
After Adam’s sin in the Garden of Eden, man lost his ability to live in harmony with God. This is described as being “dead in sin”; the idea is that a dead person has no opportunity or ability to do anything at all, including any activity to restore his relationship with God. Since man is dead in his sin, unable to rightly respond to God in any way, if he is to know new life and if he is to have a personal relationship with God, God must do a work in his life. There must be the impartation of life, if there is to be genuine salvation. This first step of salvation is called Regeneration. Properly understood, it refers to the origination of the eternal life that comes into the believer in Christ at the moment of faith, the instantaneous change from a state of spiritual death to a state of spiritual life.
In many respects, regeneration is the foundation upon which our total salvation is built. Without new life in Christ, there is no possibility of receiving the other aspects of salvation such as the indwelling of the Spirit. There are some features, however, that are immediately evident in the fact of regeneration.
When a believer receives Christ by faith, he is born again and in the act of the new birth receives a new nature. Because of the new nature, a believer in Christ may often experience a drastic change in his life, in his attitude toward God, and in his capacity to have victory over sin.
Another important aspect of regeneration is that it results in eternal security. Although some have taught that eternal life can be lost and that a person once saved can be lost if he defects from the faith, the very nature of eternal life and the new birth forbids a reversal of this work of God. Because regeneration is totally the work of God through the Holy Spirit, it should be a source of constant hope and abiding confidence “that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus” (Phil. 1:6).
Election
This is one of the sections I cautioned you about in the introduction. This topic has been heavily debated, but I urge you to read it, study the concepts and Scripture presented, and make a decision based on the facts, not on what you’ve been told or what seems fair.
Election teaches that, due to the corrupted nature and spiritual depravity of man, God according to His sovereign grace & will, and for His own purposes, has chosen (elected) those who will receive salvation. (Eph 1:3-6) That without this act of Mercy (Love) on God's part all men will reap the fruits of their corruption and depravity, which is eternal damnation. Basically, it is the action of God, and God alone, which brings one to salvation, and that this sovereign act is irresistible. It is sometimes referred to as Sovereign Grace Salvation.
Scripture clearly indicates the concept of election in choosing as is seen in these verses:
"For many are called, but few are chosen." (Matthew 22:14)
"And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the firstborn among many brethren. Moreover whom He predestined, these He also called; whom He called, these He also justified; and whom He justified, these He also glorified." (Romans 8:28-30)
"-for the children not yet being born, nor having done any good or evil, that the purpose of God according to election might stand, not of works but of Him who calls-". (Romans 9:11 )
"Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ, just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love, having predestined us to adoption as sons by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will, to the praise of the glory of His grace, by which He made us accepted in the Beloved." (Ephesians 1:3-6)
"Therefore, as the elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering; (Colossians 3:12)
While these verses and others clearly indicate the concept of election, many who do not believe that God actually chooses those whom He saves adopt a different understanding of these verses. They interpret these verses with respect to the concept of foreknowledge, the idea that God knows who will choose salvation, and it is these that he elects. Said another way, God looks down through time and sees those who will choose Him. He then determines in His will to elect those people to salvation.
There are challenges to this idea of “election through foreknowledge” explanation. Every time “foreknowledge” is used with reference to God in the New Testament, it refers to His foreknowledge of persons. It is never used in connection with events or actions. Note particularly in Romans 8:29, “For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son”. It is significant that the object of God’s foreknowledge here is not their acts of believing, but the persons themselves. Romans 9:16 emphasizes this very point; “So then it does not depend on the man who wills or the man who runs, but on God who has mercy.”
Another challenge is in a logical argument that if God is only choosing from those whom He has seen will choose Him, then the idea of His sovereign choice is severely limited to only a subset of humans. In fact, God is not really choosing in that case. The idea of choice from Scripture is that there is an actual choice that can be made. If, for example, you were told that you could choose from a list of five possible movies to go and see, but you later learn that four of the movies are no longer playing in the theater, do you really have a choice?
For many, this understanding of foreknowledge seems to resolve the issue of election that is clearly taught in Scripture. They desire to interpret the verses to allow for “free will”; the concept that man chooses to be saved by God. The reasons for this desire are many and include the ideas that:
We believe from things we learn that God wants all mankind to be saved.
We think it is unfair that salvation might be up to God alone.
We feel a responsibility to “do something” with regard to securing our salvation.
We have a problem with the idea that God has chosen that we would love him.
We are uncomfortable with the idea that we do not control our own destiny.
As you can probably tell, the above reasons have much more to do with what we “think” or “feel” is fair, and not so much with what is explicitly stated in Scripture. The idea that God chooses has been demonstrated to be consistent throughout Scripture (back in the chapter on God).
A Note on Choice
This does not mean that humans do not have some ability to choose. The Scriptures are full of stories of people who choose to do things, some right as in the case of Joshua, and others wrong, as in the case of Jonah. Making the decisions we must make each day is often a case of personal choice, yet those choices can be guided by principles in Scripture. Purchasing a cruise vacation that causes us to go into debt in favor of a get-away locally that could be paid for with funds we already have calls into account several scriptures that deal with debt and fiscal responsibility. We can choose to obey the principles of scripture or disobey them, with the possibility that disobedience may result in some kind of penalty or difficulty. With the concept of choice, it appears that one place that God draws the line on when we choose and when He chooses is with regard to salvation. Election to salvation, with its eternal and final consequences, is then relegated only to God with His perfect judgment and plan.
Security
Passages like John 3:16; John 5:24; and John 6:37-40 express the unconditional covenant of God. God promises life and security to those who come to Him. The sovereign purposes of God in salvation cannot be thwarted by the will of men.
Rom. 8:34 and I John 2:1-2 demonstrate that one of the ministries which Jesus performs on behalf of the believer is that of advocate. He died for sinners and represents them as their defense lawyer before the judgment seat of God. And on the basis of his death he pleads for their acquittal - see Heb. 9:24. Having Jesus as our defense attorney brings assurance and security.
The Holy Spirit indwells every believer and by His presence the believer is preserved and eternally secure - see John 7:37-39; Rom. 5:5; 8:9; I Cor. 2:12; 6:19; I John 2:27.
Any one of these undertakings is sufficient to guarantee eternal security to the believer. There is no distinction between salvation and safekeeping, for God offers no salvation that is not eternal.
Regeneration takes place at the moment of _____________________ and is a total work of ________________________.
Foreknowledge is ___________looking down through _________ to see who will ______________ Him.
Election is ___________ according to His sovereign __________ & __________, and for His own ______________, has _______________ (elected) those who will receive ___________________.
One way that we can know we have eternal security is that Jesus is acting as our ____________ _______________ before the judgment seat of God, pleading for our acquittal.
Sanctification
Understanding sanctification is a key element in understanding the human condition. You will often hear people say that a Believer is “…just a sinner saved by grace” when describing the fallible and fallen nature of mankind. Believers are much more than that – they are new creations capable of a life that unbelievers could not even imagine. The work of Christ in a person results in three descriptors that characterize the new Believer forever.
“Sanctify” This word means ‘to set apart,’ and then the state of being set apart. The basis of the classification is usually that the sanctified person (or thing) has been set apart, or separated, from others in his position and relationship before God.
“Holy” This word refers to the state of being set apart, or being separate, from that which is unholy. Christ was “holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners.” While there is a holiness ascribed only to God which denotes a perfection that humans will never achieve, the basic definition of holy is applicable to all who are in Christ.
“Saint” This term is applied only to living persons and relates only to their position in the reckoning of God. It is never associated with the quality of their daily life. They are saints by reason of being particularly classified and set apart in the plan and purpose of God. Christians are already sanctified, set apart, classified, “holy brethren,” who therefore may be called saints. Sainthood is not subject to progression. Every born-again person is as much a saint the moment he is saved as he ever will be in time or eternity.
Aspects of Sanctification
Positional Sanctification
Positional sanctification is a sanctification, holiness, and sainthood conferred on the believer by God through the offering of the body and shed blood of the Lord Jesus Christ. Because of the work of Christ, every believer is now said to be sanctified positionally, holy, and a saint before God. I Cor. 1:2 - All believers have been sanctified in Christ Jesus and are saints by calling.
Progressive Sanctification
You will sometimes hear someone describe the Christian life as a road or path on which the Believer travels. John Bunyan, in his book Pilgrim's Progress, describes the life of Christian and his journey to be like Christ. As various difficulties are encountered, Christian learns to respond in ways that honor God and bring glory to Him. This is the concept of Progressive sanctification, where the Believer yields more and more of his life to God, becomes more and more separated from sin, and grows to be more and more like Christ. It is a process, sometimes marked by mistakes and errors, but hopefully more often marked by making Biblically sound decisions. Growing in the Christian life is always a process, not to be perfected “until the day of Christ Jesus” (Phil. 1:6). Salvation is not only a transaction, but also a transformation.
Ultimate Sanctification
The ultimate aspect of sanctification, that is, one’s final perfection, will come in glory when the Believer is with Christ after his physical death. By His grace and transforming power, God will have so changed every child of His - in spirit, soul, and body - that each will be “like him” and “conformed to the image of His Son.”
Until such time as the believer receives his ultimate sanctification, he continues to be involved in a great struggle against sin, self, and Satan. Though the battle is difficult, the formula for victory is possible, found in Eph 4:22-24, through the power of the Holy Spirit and the truth of God’s Word.
Which aspect of sanctification reflects the continual growth of the Believer in Christ?
Which aspect of sanctification indicates a completed work of God in the life of a Believer and confers “sainthood” on the person?__________________
Personal Testimony development and sharing
Part of the Believer’s life is to share Christian truth with others. This can happen in many ways, however it is often difficult to know when and what to share. Do you walk up to strangers and ask them if they believe in Christ? Do you hand out the Spiritual Laws on pamphlets door to door? Do you stand on a street corner and read Scripture to all who pass?
While God can use many means to touch the lives of humans, one of the most effective ways to share the Gospel is by telling a personal story. Believers often feel that they do not have a firm enough grasp of doctrine to engage in significant discussion about the Bible, but each can speak with authority about their own story of becoming a Believer, and what it means to them. This is what is meant by a Personal Testimony.
What is a personal Testimony?
Story of salvation
Good news in a person’s life
When and how a person trusted Christ as savior
The “journey”
Basic Testimony
The story you share does not need to be complicated. It also does not have to be long. There are three main questions to answer in telling your story.
What was your life like before Christ?
What happened to cause you to trust Christ?
What has your life been like after trusting Christ?
Exactly how much to share depends on several factors.
Time – are you sharing on a bus or while sitting in a restaurant? Don’t make someone late for something so that you can share your story. As soon as a person feels that “time” is up, they will stop listening and begin looking for an exit strategy.
Audience – are you sharing with someone you know or a stranger? Someone you know is entitled to a bit more detail, or you can tailor comments to shared experiences or mutual friends.
Focus – are you sharing in answer to a question, or did you start the conversation?
Essentially, you can prepare a similar story for everyone, but you will add or delete details depending on these and other factors. Remember that you are not preaching a sermon, but you are sharing a story. Communication involves a two-way interaction, so be sensitive to the audience to gauge whether you are connecting or simply talking to hear your own voice. When you have finished your story, you may get questions that allow you to continue the conversation, but you may also get no response. Don’t feel bad if this happens, and remember the parable of the seeds that fall on different ground. Your responsibility is to be available when God opens an opportunity to share, not to “bag another one for God”.
“Jailhouse” testimonies or “solid family” testimonies – which is better?
A jailhouse testimony is a term for a testimony that is often quite graphic or exciting. Elements might include extensive drug use or criminal activity, followed by trial and jail or prison time. During this time, something happens wherein the person hears the Word of God and they become a Believer. Following this conversation, the life of crime is left behind in exchange for a life of helping teens, becoming a pastor or something similar. These more sensational testimonies are a wonderful indicator that God can work in even the most adverse situation, but the truth is that this testimony is no more exciting than that of a person who grows up in a Godly home and becomes a Believer after the prayers of a loving and caring family. Any life that is dedicated to God is precious and wonderful and worth celebrating. The Bible has examples of both kinds of testimony:
Proverbs is full of encouragement for godly parenting
Paul was certainly a “Newsflash event”, in that he was well known as being against the cause of Christ.
In Summary, Be prepared to share when you have the chance.
Short or long (elevator testimonies) Be prepared to share your story quickly, as in, on an elevator, if you get the chance. That means you’ll have 30 to 50 seconds.
Written testimonies for jobs or Christian ministry applications. You will likely get the chance to write your testimony for a position at Church or something similar.
Consider the experience of the audience (bikers, drinkers, sports, military, Christians…) Bring up certain aspects of your life story that will communicate to your audience.
The level of detail is determined by audience and time
Practice! Practice! Practice! This cannot be overemphasized. The more you practice, the more comfortable you will be with the idea of sharing your story. Try it first as you look in the mirror. Then try it in front of a family member or friend. Roll play to get used to answering questions and comments with your story in a natural way.
What are the three questions to answer when sharing your testimony?