 #3 We are Saved by Faith not by Works (48 views)
From:  David (DavidABrown)    10/25/2002 1:55 pm  
To:  ALL   (1 of 2)  
 
  459.1  
 
#3 We Christians are Saved from Death (separation from God and separation from one another) and given Life by Faith in Jesus Christ and not by our own works, our own abilities or capabilities but only by our Faith in the One true Living Resurrected God, Jesus Christ.

It is obvious that mankind is currently separated from the perceivable presence of God and as evidence of our sin and separation from God death plagues All of mankind. In fact it is said "to be born is to die" because death comes to all. It is obvious that mankind cannot save ourselves or one another from death and the separation which comes from death. Just as man cannot live, God cannot die. Therefore it is necessary for God to save us from death by giving us life.

The third area of agreement can be that we humans are created in the image of God and therefore are intended to have a relationship (life) with God. But through sin we are all conceived in a disrespectful and rebellious sinful nature towards God and as sinful we are separated (dead) from the Holy God and in need of having our sinful condition changed into a holy condition that results in allowing us into the perceivable Presence and a Relationship (life) with the Holy God. 

The remedy for our sin and death and the cleansing to make us holy and alive are not done by our abilities as individuals but were gladly accomplished by Jesus as He gave Himself in His death, cleansing blood and life giving Resurrection for our new holiness. Our new holiness being imparted to us by God as His free gift to all mankind for whoever will choose to receive forgiveness and enter into fellowship with God.


Romans 5:1-Therefore being Justified (made holy) by Faith, we have Peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: By Whom also we have Access (relationship) by Faith into this Grace wherein we Stand, and Rejoice in Hope of the Glory of God.

Lets look at this:

Ephesians 2:8-9 For by Grace are ye Saved through Faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the Gift of God Not of Works least any man should boast.

The word Faith is a special word in the Bible and it is a word that is used in its singularity meaning that there is only one meaning and only one defining moment for the word Faith. The Faith that the Bible speaks about is our Faith in the Resurrection Life of Jesus, the faith that Jesus has indeed raised from death never to die again and that we Christians will also enter into the Eternal Resurrection Life of Jesus in our own resurrection provided in Jesus. 

Galatians 3:23 But before Faith came we were kept under the law, shut up unto (until) the Faith which should after words be revealed. 

With the Cross  death, and Resurrection  life, of Jesus came the "revealing" of our Faith. We are to have Faith in God that God is the God of Life. That is who God is, He is the creator, giver and sustainer of all Life even life after death and life after sin as in our case.

Philippians 3:9-10 .. that which is through the Faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by Faith: That I may know Him and the Power of His Resurrection ..

So we can agree to agree that Faith in God and not in mankind is what unites a separated mankind back to God and into Life. That faith is specifically the Fact that Jesus gave Himself to die for our sins and that in His own Righteousness being God, He is Resurrected to Everlasting Life. The same Everlasting life that we as Christians are now untied into with Jesus. All of this is made possible for us because God is Life, Eternal, Immortal and Abundant.



David A. Brown
Basic Christian: Forum
www.BasicChristian.org

 
  
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   From:  David (DavidABrown)    10/27/2002 12:41 pm  
To:  ALL   (2 of 2)  
 
  459.2 in reply to 459.1  
 
Here are some verses to help illustrate the point that we are saved by Faith and that "Faith" is specifically a reference to the "Resurrection" of Jesus.

Romans 1:3-4 Concerning His Son Jesus Christ our Lord, which was made of the seed of David according to the flesh; and Declared to be the Son of God with Power, according to the Spirit of Holiness, by the Resurrection from the dead:

Ephesians 2:8 For by grace are ye saved through Faith [the Resurrection]; and that not of yourselves[Jesus Resurrection]: it [the resurrection] is the gift of God.

Galatians 3:14 .. that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith [the Resurrection]. It is because of the resurrection of Jesus that the Holy Spirit is available to us.

Romans 10:9-10 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus , and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised (Resurrection) Him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. Here we are instructed to confess the resurrection of Jesus for Salvation.

The confession that has the power of Salvation in our life is the confession of the Resurrection of Jesus.

The word Salvation actually means Healing. To be saved is to be healed. For instance somone who has an illness needs "Salvation" they need to be saved from the harm and discomfort of the illness the only way to be saved is to be healed. Healing comes from Life and not death. Our salvation (healing) comes from the Resurrection life of Jesus.

God Bless you,

David



David A. Brown
Basic Christian: Forum
www.BasicChristian.org




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Edited 10/27/2002 3:43:27 PM ET by David (DAVIDABROWN) 
  
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