Salvation: Unlocking God's Grace (part 3)

The Method of Salvation

So how do we receive this salvation?  There are two elements that Paul points out that is important in obtaining salvation that is found in verse 9: the mouth and the heart.  With the mouth we confess.  With the heart we believe.  Let’s look at verse 9

“That if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved” (Romans 10:9)

There is no might, maybe, may.  Notice the phrase “will be saved.”  There is still a small requirement on our part.  Remember, Jesus did the hardest part.  He died.  So what is the requirement?  Confess.  Believe.  Let’s briefly look at these two words. 

The word translated “confession” means “to assent, consent, admit.”  We are to confess the Lord Jesus. The Word "confess" carries the idea of "saying the same thing about". God wants the lost sinner to come to the place where he can say the same thing about Jesus that God the Father has already said about Him.  We acknowledge that He is the only way, truth, and life (John 14:6).  Confession is agreeing with something that others have said or maintained.  So what are we confessing?

We confess that we are sinners.

We confess that we need a Savior.

We confess that Christ can save us.

We confess that He is Lord.

“Lord” is not a name that we call Jesus.  It is a position which we give to Him in our life.  To confess Jesus as Lord is to say that He owns us.  Confessing Him as Lord is to say that He bought me with His life and because of that I live for Him.  Remember, the only reason some people are never saved is not because God cannot save them (or us), it is because we are not allowing Him to.  Whether it is by our refusal to confess or our refusal to believe.

In the heart we must believe.  This word “belief” is a little deeper than our understanding of belief.   The word “belief” here can also be translated “faith.”  Belief primarily remains in the head but faith affects the heart.  Belief does not necessarily affect the way a person lives but faith on the other hand affects how a person responds, reacts, and lives.  If we truly believe what God has revealed about Himself, Christ, our sins, the consequences of sin (all things Paul has talked about up to this point), and the result of forgiveness, then faith will lead us to properly respond to it. 

Notice that of all the miracles and the revelation in the Gospels concerning Christ, Paul says that we must believe the God raised Jesus from the dead.  Why this one.  There are two likely reasons that I think can help us understand why.  First, the life and the ministry of Jesus in this world culminated in His resurrection.  His resurrection ensured the completion of His redemptive work.  His death paid the cost of sin.  His resurrection overcame the consequences of sin.  Secondly, of all the miracles that Christ did, His resurrection is the more difficult one to believe which leads us back to confession.  If we truly believe (have faith) that Christ indeed was raised from the dead, then it will lead us to respond that God’s Word is correct. 

So how do we receive this gift of salvation?  Simply confess that you are a sinner, that you need Christ in your life and that God is who He says He is and that Jesus is what God has revealed about Him.  Ask God to forgive you of your sins and you will be saved.  Need assurance?  Read Romans 10:13:

for "WHOEVER WILL CALL ON THE NAME OF THE LORD WILL BE SAVED."

(Romans 10:13)

Pray this prayer with a genuine heart and you can receive the gift of salvation and unlock God’s grace in your life.

God, I know that I am a sinner. I know that I deserve the consequences of my sin. However, I am trusting in Jesus Christ as my Savior. I believe that His death and resurrection provided for my forgiveness. I trust in Jesus and Jesus alone as my personal Lord and Savior. Thank you Lord, for saving me and forgiving me! Amen!"

If you have prayed this prayer and would like more information about what to do, feel free to contact me and I will gladly assist you in any way in your newfound journey with Christ at pastor.chris@hotmail.com. 

Salvation: Unlocking God's Grace (Part 2)

Salvation: Unlocking God's Grace (Part 2)
Romans 10:1-13

 

The Misunderstanding about Salvation (v2-8)

                In the first part we discovered that the word “salvation” or “saved” as it appears in Romans 10:1 means “safety, deliverance, preservation from danger or destruction.”  We also pointed out that Paul points out in verse 1 that he is praying for their salvation.  Why would he feel the need to pray for the salvation of God’s chosen people?  These were the people who were given the law.  The Old Testament is filled with God’s miracles from Abraham to Malachi.  In Israel’s story we also see God’s mercy.  Did Paul have it wrong?  As we look at verses 2-8, we actually discover that the Israelites had developed a misunderstanding about salvation and the Law.  Hence, if you read the entire book of Romans, you will find that.  For example, in Romans 4, Paul presents the case that Abraham was considered righteous long before the creation of the Law. 

“For what does the Scripture say? "ABRAHAM BELIEVED GOD, AND IT WAS CREDITED TO HIM AS RIGHTEOUSNESS." (Romans 4:3). 

Even today, there tends to be a misunderstanding about salvation.  Salvation is a matter of redemption, not religion.  Redemption leads to a relationship with Christ.  That relationship with Christ leads to becoming a Christian.  Here is where the misunderstanding was taking place.

Salvation is not found in obedience to the Law (v5).

The focus of Israel was obedience to the Law.  They had a zeal for God but they were lacking knowledge.  They knew the law but they did not know Jesus (v2).  What Paul is saying here is that they lacked a personal relationship.  They did not know God’s righteousness and were trying to create their own way of salvation (this is religion) (v3).  God’s righteousness, as Paul points out, is Jesus (v4).  Many people know the Bible but they do not personally know the Jesus of the Bible.  It more about head knowledge but what God is looking for is heart knowledge.  One may know Jesus in their head but they are missing out because they do not know Him in their heart. 

Let’s take a look at a paraphrase of verse 5.

“Moses said that a person could become acceptable to God by obeying the Law. He did this when he wrote, "If you want to live, you must do all that the Law commands." (Romans 10:5, CEV)

If the Law was to be a source of righteousness, then it is important that the one who follows the Law is to follow the entire letter of the law.  James writes:

For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles in one point, he has become guilty of all. (James 2:10)

Even if you broke one point, you have become guilty of all of the Law, not just that one point.  At this point, it would be wise to remember Paul’s words in Romans 3. 

For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.  (Romans 3:23)

We have fallen short.  Because of it, we are not able to obtain righteousness through the Law.  But praise the Lord, there is a hope found in Christ.  The righteousness is not our own, it is the righteousness of Christ that saves us.  Until we develop a personal relationship with Christ which requires salvation, then we will never obtain that righteousness.  We cannot work or earn our way into Heaven.  But Christ earned it for us.

As Paul seeks to correct the misunderstanding about salvation, he is setting the stage in verse 6-8 to reveal the astounding and remarkable truth about salvation and how it is obtained.

Salvation: Unlocking God's Grace (part 1)

Salvation: Unlocking God’s Grace (Part 1)
Romans 10:1-13

The book of Romans is Paul’s most powerful and beautiful attempt to explain the foundational doctrine of Christianity. Romans 1:17, the verse that help lead to the conversion of Martin says The good news tells how God accepts everyone who has faith, but only those who have faith. It is just as the Scriptures say, "For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith for faith, as it is written, ‘The righteous shall live by faith’” (Romans 1:17. Martin Luther, reflecting back on what this text meant in his life, offered this testimony: When by the Spirit of God, I understood these words—"The just shall live by faith"—then I felt born again like a new man. I entered through the open doors into the very paradise of God.
Why would I preach a sermon on salvation? Many of us if not all of us would consider ourselves to be Christians. Yet, even the terminology “Christian” is being abused today. However, the word “Christianós” which is translated in the English as Christian only appears in the Bible twice. Yet there are many variations of Greek Words translated into either salvation or saved. I am not asking if you are a Christian. I am asking if you are saved. A few days ago I read a comment from a gentleman in response to a posting on Facebook. He shared the story of his uncle who had attended church all of his life. As his uncle laid in his death bed, he had a conversation with his uncle and wanted to be assured of his salvation. He posed this question “Uncle, are you saved?” The uncle looked at him with a look of puzzlement. He was not sure what he was talking about. Every Christian needs to know the meaning of salvation. If we do not, then we are lacking knowledge on a very important element of being a Christian.
Paul shares in Romans 10:1 that he prays for the salvation of Israel. In today’s modern day contemporary church, the term “salvation” is rarely mentioned if mentioned at all. It makes me wonder how many people in our churches truly understand what it means to be “saved” or to have the gift of salvation. It also strikes a chord of fear concerning those within my own church. Have we really taught our people what it means to be saved? If they were asked the question “Are you saved?” how will they respond? Can they explain it? They are told the destination, but they are not told how to get there. Today, I want us to grasp what it means to be saved as we look at “Salvation: Unlocking God’s Grace.”

I. The Meaning of Salvation

The word “salvation” or “saved” as it appears in Romans 10:1 means “safety, deliverance, preservation from danger or destruction.” When I posed the question “What comes to mind when you hear the word ‘salvation”, I received various responses. All of the responses were great but there is one that stuck with me. A friend posted “rescued.” What is it that we are saved from? What do we mean by the question “Are you saved?” To grasp a better understanding of this word, we need to grasp a better understanding of the book of Romans. As I mentioned, the book of Romans was Paul’s wonderful presentation of the Gospel message. 

Romans Train of Thought in the first eight chapters

Sinfulness of Humanity (1-3:20)
In the first few chapters, Paul deals with the sinfulness of humanity. You can probably place this segment in Romans 1-3:20. Although various pastors and commentaries will provide a different segment. One of the key verses that Paul presents in this segment is Romans 3:10 - As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one. Think about this for a minute. In one verse, Paul informs us that there is not a single person who is good enough for the gift of eternal life. Of course, this is apart from Christ. Before we get ahead of ourselves, Romans 2 is Paul’s earth shattering news concerning the judgement. There are a lot of excuses and blames going around. But Paul reveals in Romans 2:6 that each one of us will be held responsible for our own actions. There will be no blame to go around. The responsibility is all ours. It is getting a little discouraging. However, if you stop here, you are going to miss the good news.

Forgiveness of sin found through Christ (Ch. 3:21-4)
Thank goodness for Jesus. Now when we think of Romans 3, we often think of this verse: For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; (Rom 3:23). Even more discouraging isn’t it? But we need to pull back on the textual microscope here and get a better picture of the context. Let’s read it. But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets; Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference: For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus: Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God; To declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus. (Rom 3:21-26). Did you see it? Paul is saying that we have all fallen short of the glory of God, but we are justified freely by His grace if we believe!! Notice another phrase “remission of sins that are past.” There it is. Salvation! We are free, rescued, delivered from the sins of our past and the judgment that accompanies sin!

Freedom is a result of forgiveness (Ch. 5-7)
Once we have forgiveness, Paul now tells us that as a result of that forgiveness we do not have to live in that sin. In fact, salvation changes us from a condemned sinner to a child of God! We are free from sin! He has given us the power to break the chains of sin in our lives!

ILLUSTRATION- A boy once captured two little birds and put them in a cage. A man saw the boy carrying the cage and asked him what he was going to do with the birds. The boy replied, “Oh, I’m going to play with them for a while and then I’m going to feed them to my cat.” The man looked at the caged birds and took pity on them. He said, “I’d like to buy the cage and the birds from you. How much do you want for them?” The boy thought for a minute and then named his price. The man paid it and the boy handed over the cage. Immediately, the man opened the cage and set the birds free.

That’s what Jesus did for us.

The promise for the believer (Ch. 8)

What a glorious message for those who have received the gift of salvation. Look at the hope of the Gospel message in Romans 8:

• There is the hope of eternity (Romans 8:1-25)
• There is the hope of God’s best for us (Romans 8:28)
• There is the hope that God is always for us (Romans 8:31)
• There is the hope that God will always provide (Romans 8:32)
• There is the hope of victory (Romans 8:37)
• There is the hope of Christ’s never failing love no matter the circumstances (Romans 8:38-39)

 

To break it down into one simple sentence. Paul is writing in the book of Romans that “The gift and the hope of salvation delivers us from the guilt of our sins and comes through faith in Christ by God’s grace.”

 

So I ask. “Are you saved?”