How to obtain the Free Gift
Those who do not believe in Christ are not reconciled to God; but those who have faith in him are hid with Christ in God....The active obedience of Christ clothes the believing sinner with the righteousness that meets the demands of the law. "God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life."[1]
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John 3 (v. 14) And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up, (v. 15) that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life.
Salvation is a free gift, but unfortunately many will not believe.
I Tim 4 (v. 10) For to this end we both labor and suffer reproach, because we trust in the living God, who is the Savior of all men, especially of those who believe.
However, even though what God has obtained for mankind in Christ is a "free gift" we cannot enjoy it until we receive it by faith.[2]
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How do you receive it by faith?
How do you know that you have accepted the free gift?
John 5 (v. 24) Most assuredly, I say to you, he who hears My word and believes in Him who sent Me has everlasting life, and shall not come into judgment, but has passed from death into life.
So the moment that you believe, you have everlasting life; it's in the past tense.
Is that it, just believe and you will be saved?
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Why do you think that they tremble?
Matt 25 (v. 41) ....depart from Me, you cursed, into the everlasting fire prepared for the devil and his angels.
They believe, but are not going to be saved; obviously there is something missing here.
It is important that we understand clearly the nature of faith....in order to be justified, the sinner must have that faith that appropriates the merits of Christ to his own soul. We read that the devils “believe, and tremble,” but their belief does not bring them justification, neither will the belief of those who give a merely intellectual assent to the truths of the Bible bring them the benefits of salvation.[3]
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This belief fails of reaching the vital point, for the truth does not engage the heart or transform the character. In genuine saving faith, there is trust in God, through the belief in the great atoning sacrifice made by the Son of God on Calvary. In Christ, the justified believer beholds his only hope and deliverer.[3]
So, what do we have to believe?
In my research I have discovered that we need to believe 3 things concerning our savior.
In order to receive the "free gift," you must believe that Christ:
Wants to save you, that He can save you, and that He will save you.
1) Do we really believe that Christ wants to save us?
I Tim 2 (v. 3) For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, (v. 4) who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.
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2) Do we really believe that Christ can save us?
Mark 10 (v. 26) And they were astonished beyond measure, saying....Who then can be saved? (v. 27) But looking at them, Jesus said, "With men it is impossible, but not with God; for with God all things are possible."
3) Do we really believe that Christ will save us?
Phil 1 (v. 6) being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ.
So, once you start continuing to believe these 3 things, can the devil steal that "gift" away from you?
John 10 (v. 27) My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me. (v.28) And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall any one snatch them out of My hand.
No, the devil is not able to steal the "free gift" away from you, so long as you continue to believe and have faith in Christ.
So we can now see that, unbelief is the only factor that will cause you to be lost!!
Jesus is the only one who can save us; we cannot do it ourselves, we can’t even do it with His help either; because then, we would desire some of the credit, for doing our part!
No, Jesus gets all of the credit; because it is all of Jesus work and none of ours! Jesus will continue to pursue us with His love until the day of our last breath!!
Listen to this music video and dwell on what your Savior has done for you!!
video ref. [4]
References:
1. The Youth's Instructor, (29 Nov 1894). “Words to the Young”, par.3
2. Savior of the world Bible Course, (2000). Lesson 3, “The Truth as it is In Christ.”
3. E.G. White, Selected Messages (book 3), p.191, par.4
4. Plumb (Lyrics) “Don’t Deserve You” Online video. YouTube, 31 Dec 2013. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4S3RtUNrSzs
Image #1: Knowing Jesus, (n.d.). He died for all. Retrieved from http://www.knowing-jesus.com/2-corinthians-5-15
Image #2: Steven Lawson, (n.d.). Salvation is not a reward for the righteous, but a gift for the guilty. Retrieved from http://themajestysmen.com/quotes/
Image #3: Victory Ministries, (2013). The demons believe in God. Retrieved from https://walthope.wordpress.com/2013/10/11/demons-believe/
Image #4: Don McClain, (2017). Not all faith is saving faith. Retrieved from https://www.slideshare.net/DonMcClain/the-nature-of-saving-faith
Image #5: Daughter of the King, (n.d.). It’s all I have, It’s all I want. Retrieved from https://www.pinterest.com/pin/255438610093248047/
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