Salvation Archives - Page 5 of 11

What Kind Of Savior Is Jesus? Certain!

February 7, 2015 by EnnisP Leave a Comment

A Meeting With Jesus
Can’t Be Mistaken
For Anything Else

Jesus was certain about salvation. There was nothing evasive or ambiguous in what he said or what He taught.

He was clear. He was definite. He didn’t leave us guessing.

His purpose statement is anything but vague:

The Son of Man is come to seek and to save that which was lost. (Luke 19:10)

And John, speaking of salvation said:

As many as received Him, to them gave he the power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on His name. (John 1:12)

There’s no uncertainty here and it’s simple. Believe and receive. It’s a guarantee.

There’s also no application process, no waiting period or probationary phase. [Read more…] about What Kind Of Savior Is Jesus? Certain!

What Kind Of Savior Is Jesus? Precise!

February 5, 2015 by EnnisP Leave a Comment

Jesus Could Do
Anything And Everything
But He Hasn’t
Promised To

Jesus isn’t a rabbit’s foot, four leaf clover, wishbone or lucky charm.

Plastic replicas of Him on the dashboard will not keep you safe.

Any one of those things may salve you psychologically, and I’m happy for you if they help, but trinkets around your neck do not save.

I don’t doubt Jesus wants all of us to be safe. I also don’t think it’s His wish or will for anyone to hurt, get sick or die ever, for any reason, but we do. He doesn’t prevent these pains. Bad things happen occasionally. It’s inevitable.

Honesty Helps

We need to be honest with the facts. To believe Jesus is the Savior for every possible bad experience, makes Him a failure and us dupes.

But if our understanding of salvation is a little more focused, if we allow limits on what we expect, then we can eliminate several things from salvation’s list. For example: [Read more…] about What Kind Of Savior Is Jesus? Precise!

11 Facts About Belief (aka Faith)

December 12, 2014 by EnnisP Leave a Comment

Belief is measured by its object not its passion.

Belief Cures Cynicism
And Prevents Fatalism

Belief is simple. It isn’t restricted by age or intellect or culture.

It comes naturally to all of us but doesn’t always stick around. It shifts. It shouldn’t be taken for granted.

Paul preached it. Peter preached it. Both were following the example of Jesus, who preached it before them. Obviously, it’s important.

It’s a timeless universal response common to all Christians. We shouldn’t allow it to get lost in the jargon or smothered by bad attitudes. Following are a few facts to consider.

Belief Is What You Can’t Prove

The things we believe are the things we cannot prove. That is why belief and faith are synonymous. The words can be used interchangeably.

In fact, because you can’t prove what you believe, any action prompted by belief is an act of faith.

Most people actually refer to what they believe as their faith. I used the word Belief here only to change things up a bit.

Belief Is Universal

Everyone believes something. The only way to avoid belief is to know everything about the past and the future. In other words, you must be omniscient.

Jesus doesn’t believe anything because He knows everything.

If you aren’t omniscient, you’re a believer in something.

Every religious person has faith.
Every scientist has faith.
Every politician has faith.

We all believe something and act on it everyday.

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People get up in the morning believing the day will be productive. They’re hopeful, which is a by-product of belief.

People target, visualize, and work toward personal goals knowing there are no guarantees. But realism teaches us that belief is the only way to make progress.

The Wright Brothers believed people could fly and acted on that belief. We all know the outcome of their efforts. [Read more…] about 11 Facts About Belief (aka Faith)

8 More Questions To Prove Salvation Can’t Be Lost

April 16, 2014 by EnnisP 4 Comments

Clarify The Question
Before You Answer

I’ve had many discussions about eternal security and the conversations often migrate to “what-if” questions, the philosophical nuggets that get thrown in after all the verses have been dissected without reaching a resolution.

Eternal Security is, again, the topic here and I mention it because the “what-ifs” unwittingly open the door to some very interesting questions:

Here’s how it works.

A debate is started about Eternal security, which is the teaching that says once a person is saved they can never be lost. Only God’s actions can void it and according to Him, His love is unconditional. It works even when we don’t (Romans 8:38).

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And that is where the “what-if” arguments are introduced. [Read more…] about 8 More Questions To Prove Salvation Can’t Be Lost

Eternal Security: We Have Two Natures

March 10, 2014 by EnnisP 5 Comments

God Has The Power
To Save Us
And Keep Us Saved

Just to be clear “Eternal Security” is a teaching that says:

Once a person is saved they can never lose their salvation. Or in other words, there is no sin they can commit that will cancel out God’s saving grace.

Or to say it more succinctly: Once saved, always saved.

Some people believe eternal security and some people don’t. I am one that does.

But when you promote this idea one of the first objections involves “what-if” questions. “What if a person does this or that terrible thing?” The assumption is there must be a point beyond which either God’s ability or willingness to save ends. For example:

What if a person commits serial murder, e.g., Ted Bundy?
What if a person commits genocide, mass murder – e.g., Hitler?
What if a person traffics in slavery?

It’s hard to argue against such emotionally charged questions. A salvation that can endure such egregious sins sounds too good to be true. Makes one indignant. Not only that, it runs counter to human experience, seems a bit too “pie in the sky-ish” to accept and those who disagree, or have serious insecurities about it, struggle to find a place to fit in.

No Pat Answers

Admittedly, the questions are good ones and there are no pat answers. I nor anyone else can give you a quick hit that resolves the issue just like that. [Read more…] about Eternal Security: We Have Two Natures