The manner in which religious
men view their lost estate will in great measure determine what
it is that they believe salvation is about. The prevailing notion among the
multitude of those who claim to profess faith in Christ is
that man is in a greatly wounded and debilitated state as a result
of his sin, under condemnation, and standing in need of some
sort of aid in order to extricate himself out of the mess he finds
himself in. Thus they view the matter of
salvation as a benefit which Christ has provided and does
presently offer to all of mankind. The manner in which they say
a man can avail himself of this benefit is to exercise his free
will and choose to believe in Christ as a Savior. Therefore,
we have untold multitudes who consider themselves saved because
they made a decision to be saved, just like they decided what color
shirt to wear. What could be simpler than that?
It is fair to say that the predominant consideration among those who
call themselves Christians in the present day is that salvation
is a sort of cooperative effort between man and God. God provides
the plan of salvation and man provides the deciding factor
of his own faith and choice. God is pictured as one who is
wringing his hands as he anxiously awaits the decision of each person
to decide whether or not they will take him up on his offer
to save each one. He is said by these free will
preachers to have done all that he can do to save everyone, and
now the rest is up to men to make a choice in the matter.
Which choice will it be? When a man is convinced by the
Spirit of God of the actual condition that he is in by nature, then
he will recognize the need for a salvation that actually saves,
rather than one which makes salvation a mere possibility. The state
of man as he comes forth from his mother's womb is not that
he is wounded or spiritually immature. Rather, he is completely
and utterly dead in trespasses and sins. possessing neither
sight to behold the promises of God, nor the ability to produce
faith in order to lay hold upon them. If any part of his salvation
depends on him, he is utterly and completely without hope.
Such a man needs a salvation which is designed, purchased,
and applied to his account, totally apart from any effort on his
part. Many will continue to haunt the gospel as though it is a
commodity which could be sold to the highest bidder. When the
Lord told His disciples that it was easier for a camel to
go through the eye of a needle than it was for a rich man to
enter heaven, they were totally flabbergasted and asked, who
then can be saved? The Lord then described to them
the only manner in which any man is saved. With men this is
impossible. But with God all things are possible. In essence, He told them that
not a single man could ever be saved by his own effort, even
in part. Yet the salvation of the righteous
is of the Lord. So the truth of the matter is
that salvation is the operation of God to deliver those whom
He wills from the death and condemnation which they rightly and justly
deserve. This salvation is completely
the work of God. from beginning to end, and He
is the one who determines the extent of it, as well as those
who are its recipients. And what can any man say against
his Creator? We are certain that the Lord
is the author and finisher of our faith, and is therefore said
to be the salvation of His people. As we study the Scriptures, we
see who shall be saved. They are those who are turned
from their sin, and upon whom the light of the Lord does shine.
They are those who walk with the Lord in fellowship and obedience. They are those whose only hope
for salvation is Christ alone. They are those who are kept from
falling, remaining steadfast in the hope of their calling.
They are those who come in at the door. They are those who
call upon the name of the Lord. For whosoever shall call upon
the name of the Lord shall be saved. To call upon the Lord
is to relinquish hope in all others, casting all your care
upon Him, for He careth for you.