Salvation In America

[kdb4747]

SALVATION IN AMERICA

Many Americans were taught that if we confess we are a sinner and trust in the name of Jesus Christ to be forgiven of sins, then we have been saved, and that’s salvation. Yes, that's how our conscience is delivered from guilt and condemnation by being forgiven of sins committed, but that does not necessarily mean we have turned from the world and sin to "come to repentance" by confessing our sins to practice righteousness by loving our neighbor to be born again as a child of GOD when we pass from death unto life. And even after we are born again as a child of GOD, we overcome the world (the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life -1 John 2:16) as we are conformed to the image of Jesus Christ to become a son of GOD and heir of the Kingdom of GOD with our name secured in the book of life to go out no more. And if we walk with the Spirit and love one another, we can be confident for the Bible reassures us that we will overcome the world to become an heir of the Kingdom of GOD: For whatever is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith. Who is he who overcomes the world, but he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God (1 John 5:4-5)?

The process by which we are *cleansed* of unrighteousness to become and heir of the Kingdom of GOD is called our sanctification, and is ongoing as we continue to repent by turning from the ways of the world and confessing our sins. We do the confessing and GOD does the cleansing. This is what the Apostle Paul meant when he said, “work out” your own salvation (Philippians 2:12). GOD helps us to grow in grace and wisdom as we overcome, or gain the victory over sin so it does not destroy or ruin our life. In addition, the attributes of Christ (“fruit” of the Spirit) are formed in us as we continue to follow the Spirit of Christ, and not live after the flesh. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control (Galatians 5:22-23a).

Our spiritual growth can take time, and we truly can develop a personal relationship with GOD, but we need to learn to listen to "hear" His voice and discern His will for our life. The more time we spend with GOD the Father through Jesus Christ, the more He will make Himself known to us. When GOD sees we really want to know Him as our Father and be saved from sin, He will begin to do marvelous things in our life. But this is something each of us needs to find out for their self. If My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land (2 Chronicles 7:14). When the people of America truly turn to GOD and repent of the wicked ways of the world (which includes covetousness), He will renew our country again.

Beloved, let us love one another, for love is of God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God (1 John 4:7).

We know that we have passed from death to life, because we love the brethren. He who does not love his brother abides in death (1 John 3:14).

………and the “dead” in Christ shall rise first (1 Thessalonians 4:16b), <THEN>> we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air (1 Thessalonians 4:16b-17a). The "dead" in Christ rise <<FIRST>>.

May GOD bless,......

[OneLight]

I read your post and agree with what you posted, but in your eyes, when is one saved? This is not clear to me due to your opening statement.

[Guest]

Jesus Saves

And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins. Matthew 1:21

Jesus Sanctifies

Wherefore Jesus also, that he might sanctify the people with his own blood, suffered without the gate. Hebrews 13:12

[gdemoss]

Peter places salvation at the 'end' of our faith, which gives understanding that a persons faith must continue and not cease/die in order to be saved.

1Pe 1:9 Receiving the end of your faith, [even] the salvation of [your] souls.

This has support in Revelation which tells the church to strengthen the things that remain that are ready to die and is visualized by assessment of what they did, their works.

Rev 3:2 Be watchful, and strengthen the things which remain, that are ready to die: for I have not found thy works perfect before God.

Here is one that shows a conditional statement of salvation based upon continued faith as well.

1Cr 15:2 By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain.

This shows salvation as future for those who call upon the name of the Lord as did men begin to do as early as the days of Seth.

Act 2:21 And it shall come to pass, [that] whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved.

Here we have more conditional support for salvation which comes future. to receive a love of the truth is simply to have faith in what God has said to be true and therefore have works that display that. If a man believe that those who call upon the name of the Lord will be saved, what does he do? He starts calling upon the name of the Lord. If he loses faith in those words of God he stops calling upon the name of the Lord:

2Th 2:10 And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved.

Being saved means coming to a knowledge of the truth by this verse:

1Ti 2:4 Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.

Which is supported by this verse which shows what that knowledge or understanding is:

Jhn 17:3 And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.

Knowing the one true God? God is a supreme being or authority over all things. If I know something/someone as God then my actions dictate that I truly believe said thing/one is God. My knowledge of the God, however extensive or limited, will be displayed in what I do.

According to this verse salvation is dependent upon both sanctification and belief in the truth but are they really different one from the other? Doesn't belief in the truth lead to sanctification as one receives wisdom, understanding and knowledge of God while they are getting to know him? That is unless they hear the truth but are unaffected by it. We wouldn't expect sanctification to take place then. But would they be saved in the end?

2Th 2:13 ¶ But we are bound to give thanks alway to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth:

Hebrews explains to us that disobedience and unbelief go hand in hand. If one truly believes they do not depart from God. We are given the admonition to not follow the example of the Israelites in the wilderness who did not receive the promise due to their unbelief which was displayed in their works. Had they believed in God they would not have balked at the people in the land and turned back to Egypt in their hearts.

Hbr 3:12 Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God.

Again Peter explains that the salvation is to be revealed future:

1Pe 1:5 Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time.

But can we know that we are currently 'saved'? That we will in fact participate in this upcoming event? Yes. In as much as we have faith in the promises of God to save those who truly believe. There is Eternal Security for those who continue believing. Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the word of God. Deception comes by disobedience to that which is revealed and is not true faith as it has no works as James clearly explains. All of which we can not take one iota of credit for as all glory is Gods. I don't know what is right or wrong except God teach it to me. I am nothing of myself. I can't do that which God says is right lest he motivate me as my natural state is enmity against it.

Fear of God is the beginning of wisdom. Departing from evil is understanding. Both of these are acts of faith given by God himself as he and only he can reveal these things as truth to the heart of man. The transgression of the wicked says in my heart that their is no fear of God before their eyes but in the end they shall hear those words depart from me you who work iniquity as I never knew you.

But what does it mean to be known of God? Does he not know all things? Paul explained this mystery by showing us what it meant to know our spouses but he spoke concerning Christ and the church. Explaining that if we would come out of the world and be not unequally yoked together with them that he would in turn be a father to us and dwell in us. Which is to know us. To be one spirit with us as we can be one spirit with our spouses. We are ministers of the spirit of God unto others as we have received the spirit ourselves and walk in that spirit. If any man have not this spirit of God he is none of his.

All of this said, the thief on the cross will be saved. He lived an exemplary life of faith before God. He heard the word of God and believed it. He testified of that which he heard to be true. He kept his faith until his death. He picked up his cross and followed Jesus. The man who hears about Jesus today and believes yet dies in a car accident tonight is just as well of as one who spends 80 years walking with Christ intimately upon the earth in fellowship of the spirit.

There are those who need fear. They are tares and not wheat. They are pigs and dogs. They are uncircumcised in heart and unholy. They are those who have withered fruit that are plucked up by the roots. Trees that God takes the ax and lays it at the root. They mind earthly things. They have not the spirit and the love of God is not shed abroad in their hearts. They are not being conformed to the image of Christ but are expecting to ride in on his coat tails without anything changing. They are lascivious in nature. They are wandering stars. Children of the devil. Thorns in the eyes of those whom they live around. They will be made manifest. They hear the truth and bend the word to make their sin acceptable in the eyes of God. They are truly wicked though they preach righteousness and pretend to shine a light for others to follow. Vessels of dishonor made to be destroyed though it doesn't have to be that way, they choose it. They love the wages of unrighteousness and will die in their sin and be cast out. They are stiff necked and turn not at Gods reproof. Hard in heart and dull of hearing. They have not the love of God in them and will utterly perish in their own corruption.

Each of us must honestly assess what category we fall into.

All of that considered, there is no salvation for America as a nation without repentance from dead works unto living for God. We are too far gone as a nation for that to happen. The writing is on the wall. America has redefined both salvation and sin in such a way that it cannot be saved from its sin. Just as Sodom was destroyed so too will this country fall. Sodom's sin was pride. Americas sin is pride. Aren't you proud to be an American? I am not. I know...I should just leave and go somewhere else you say. Don't worry, I will. Just as soon as God sends his angels to lead me and my family to safety before the destruction comes. Don't get me wrong, I would love to see America actually bend the knee to God and be saved. It just isn't going to happen. I tell you these things before they happen that you might believe me when they do. But then, it may just be too late.

In Jesus Name,

Gary

[nChrist]

As a nation, America has turned her back on God. As individuals, many people are saved in America and many are still being saved. Salvation is a Gift of God and not of works, keeping the law, or being good. We who are saved give thanks for God's matchless grace and give all glory to Him.

Romans 10:17 NASB So faith comes from hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ.

John 3:16-18 NASB "For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life. 17 "For God did not send the Son into the world to judge the world, but that the world might be saved through Him. 18 "He who believes in Him is not judged; he who does not believe has been judged already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.

Romans 10:8-10 NASB But what does it say? "THE WORD IS NEAR YOU, IN YOUR MOUTH AND IN YOUR HEART"--that is, the word of faith which we are preaching, 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; 10 for with the heart a person believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses, resulting in salvation.

Ephesians 2:8-10 NASB For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; 9 not as a result of works, so that no one may boast. 10 For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them.

Titus 3:4-7 NASB But when the kindness of God our Savior and His love for mankind appeared, 5 He saved us, not on the basis of deeds which we have done in righteousness, but according to His mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit, 6 whom He poured out upon us richly through Jesus Christ our Savior, 7 so that being justified by His grace we would be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.

[Guest]

Yeap~!

For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Ephesians 6:12

[kdb4747]

WHEN IS A BELIEVER SAVED?

You ask how we can know we are saved. Our theology does not save us. In fact our theology can hinder our spiritual growth to being born again and saved, and even lead us to complacency in believing we have been saved, even though we continue to follow the sinful ways of the world and practice unrighteousness.

We can know we have been saved by the Spirit that resides within us and our spiritual walk. We can ask our self if we have overcome the world (the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life) to live in the Kingdom of GOD, or if we are a believer that has not truly turned from the world and sin to practice righteousness and be born again as a child of GOD by being made alive together with the Spirit of Christ within us.

We can examine our heart to see if we have “come to repentance” by repenting of the ways of the flesh. Do we choose to tolerate profanity or toy with pornography? Do we find vile sit-coms, vulgar movies, or gross “music” entertaining? Do we gamble, get drunk on alcohol, or get high on drugs? Is there anyone we have not forgiven or hold animosity toward? Do we live to accumulate wealth and possessions to entertain our self or do we use our resources to meet our needs and bless other members in Christ in the Spirit of love? Do we live to please GOD in the Spirit of love with Christ as the center of our life, or do we live to please our self? When a believer is born of GOD and saved, we do not merely need to believe we have been saved by our interpretation of scripture, but through repentance, meditation and prayer, we can undoubtedly know we have been saved as the Holy Spirit of GOD and Christ within us reveals Himself to us.

In trying to communicate a clear and accurate understanding of scripture, there are three scenarios to consider.

(1) The household of Israel was holy by having Christ in them as a descendant of the Patriarch Jacob. For if the first fruit is holy, the lump is also holy; and if the root is holy, so are the branches (Romans 11:16). Under the authority of the Mosaic Law, those who followed the Mosaic Law were spiritually “dead” in their sins by transgressing the Law. Those who were called to salvation that believed in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of sins and repented were forgiven of past sins by being baptized with water in the name of Jesus Christ.

When they “came to repentance” by turning from sin to be doers of righteousness, they were born again as a child of GOD, either by being made alive together with the Spirit of Christ within them (As many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name: (John 1:12), or by being baptized with the Spirit of Christ. For as the Father raises the dead and gives life to them, even so the Son gives life to whom He will (John 5:21). This is when they were justified righteous and passed from death unto life (born again) by being made alive together with the Spirit of GOD in Christ within them.

They continued to grow in grace and wisdom as Christ was formed in them to be changed and put on perfection and immortality when sanctified wholly (completely) by being anointed with the Holy Spirit of GOD to be a son of GOD and heir of the Kingdom of GOD, with their name secured in the book of life to go out no more.

(2) The above holds true today for children that are born holy after being anointed with the Spirit of Christ at conception by either parent having Christ within them. For the unbelieving husband is sanctified by the wife, and the unbelieving wife is sanctified by the husband; otherwise your children would be unclean, but now they are holy (1 Corinthians 7:14). These believers are not baptized into Jesus Christ by being baptized with the Spirit of Christ, because we already are in Christ by receiving the Spirit of Christ at conception, just as the descendants of Adam were in Adam from the time they were conceived.

(3) “Gentiles” were without hope by being without Christ in the world. Therefore remember that you, once Gentiles in the flesh—who are called Uncircumcision by what is called the Circumcision made in the flesh by hands—that at that time you were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world (Ephesians 2:11-12). Those elected to salvation were called to repentance through conviction of sin. Repentant believers were forgiven of past sins by being baptized with water in the name of Jesus Christ, and made alive with Christ by receiving the Spirit of adoption for repentance when they were forgiven of all trespasses by repenting and confessing their sins.

They were spiritually “circumcised” of their fleshly ways by the workings of the Spirit in their life so they might be born of the Spirit and saved as a child of GOD. When they “came to repentance” by turning from the world and sin and became doers of righteousness through love, they were born of the Spirit and saved as a child of GOD, justified and righteous by being baptized into Jesus Christ and His death and raised up together (born of the Spirit of GOD) by being baptized with the Holy Ghost, the Spirit of Christ (Romans 6:3-7).

They continued to grow in grace and wisdom as they were conformed to the likeness of Jesus Christ to be adopted into the Holy nation of Israel as a saint, a son of GOD and heir of GOD in the Kingdom of GOD with their name secured in the book of life to go out no more. They were changed by putting on perfection and immortality when sanctified wholly (completely) by being anointed with the Holy Spirit of GOD.

They were called With Christ,......then Justified Righteous In Christ,..........and then Glorified Holy Of Christ by being Christ-like.

The two verses that follow show the stages of progression in a similar way with somewhat different words.

Moreover whom He predestined, these He also called; whom He called, these He also justified; and whom He justified, these He also glorified (Romans 8:30); and,

He who is unjust, let him be unjust still; he who is filthy, let him be filthy still; he who is righteous, let him be righteous still; he who is holy, let him be holy still"(Revelation 22:11).

===============================================================================

If we want to know when we are saved,……we might ask ourself, what does it mean to be “saved”?

(1) We are saved from guilt and condemnation by being forgiven of past sins/trespasses/transgressions.

Then Peter said to them, "Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:38).

(2) Those who converted from following the Mosaic Law to live by faith in the name of Jesus Christ were saved by being redeemed from the curse and condemnation for sin under the Mosaic Law by the grace of GOD for their faith in the name of Christ. Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us (for it is written, "CURSED IS EVERYONE WHO HANGS ON A TREE"), (Galatians 3:13).

Even though we are "dead to the Law", we can live as if we are yet under the Law by following the Law or other law-like (“legalistic”) doctrine, rather than live by the grace of GOD for our faith in the name of Jesus Christ. Therefore, my brethren, you also have become dead to the law through the body of Christ, that you may be married to another—to Him who was raised from the dead, that we should bear fruit to God (Romans 7:4).

(3) The following is probably the answer we are looking for in respect to knowing when we are saved. In the first century, an Israelite having Christ in them as descendant of Jacob that believed in Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of sins and practiced righteousness was saved by being made alive together with the Spirit of Christ when forgiven of all trespasses by being baptized with water in the name of Jesus Christ (1 Peter 3:21).

An Israelite that had Christ in them as a descendant of Jacob that was spiritually “dead” by practicing unrighteousness who believed and repented was forgiven of past sins by being baptized with water in the name of Jesus Christ, but they were not born again and saved as a child of GOD by being made alive together with the Spirit of Christ when they “came to repentance” by turning from the world and sin to practice righteousness and love the brethren.

A child born holy by receiving the Spirit of Christ at conception from either parent having Christ within them that practices righteousness and loves the brethren is saved and sealed by the Holy Spirit as a child of GOD when forgiven of all trespasses by repenting and trusting in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of sins.

A child born holy by receiving the Spirit of Christ at conception that is spiritually “dead” for practicing unrighteousness is not born again as a child of GOD by being made alive together with the Spirit of Christ until they are forgiven of all trespasses by confessing their sins and turning from the ways of the world and sin to practice righteousness and love the brethren.

A “Gentile”being without Christ, was born of the Spirit and justified righteous by being baptized into Jesus Christ and His death and raised incorruptible (born of the Spirit) by being baptized with the Spirit of Christ (not water) when they came to repentance by turning from the world and sin to practice righteousness and love the brethren.

In the early church, a believer was made alive with Christ and saved by receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost when forgiven of all trespasses by repenting and confessing their sins. Then Peter said to them, "Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost (Acts 2:38).

When we were dead in trespasses, (GOD) made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, (Ephesians 2:5-6).

Children born holy by receiving the Spirit of Christ at conception who lived by faith in Jesus Christ and practiced righteousness were born of GOD as children of GOD.

If you know He is righteous, you know that everyone who practices righteousness is born of Him (1 John 2:29).

In this the children of God and the children of the devil are manifest: Whoever does not practice righteousness is not of God, nor is he who does not love his brother (1 John 3:10).

We know that we have passed from death to life, because we love the brethren. He who does not love his brother abides in death (1 John 3:14).

We know that whoever is born of God does not sin; but he who has been born of God keeps himself, and the wicked one does not touch him (1 John 5:18).

(4) We are saved from sin by overcoming the world (the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life) as GOD cleanses or purifies us of sin by Christ being formed in us to be a holy son of GOD when sanctified completely by being anointed with the Holy Spirit of GOD, to “put on” immortality (perfection).

Buried with Him in baptism, in which you also were raised with Him through faith in the working of God, who raised Him from the dead. And you, being dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, He has made alive together with Him, having forgiven you all trespasses, (Colossians 2:12-13).

For by one offering he has perfected for ever them that are sanctified (Hebrews 10:14).

And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ (1 Thessalonians 5:23).

He that overcomes, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels (Revelation 3:5).

He that overcomes shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son (Revelation 21:7).

Children of GOD become sons of GOD; the outer court becomes the temple; brethren in Christ become saints.

May GOD bless with love in Christ,.........

Edited July 8, 2012 by kdb4747