Salvation; Beginning to End	
#L514	The First-Century Gospel Church / Philadelphia	Sun PM 10-27-02

	The beginning of salvation is that moment in time when we hear the Gospel of Christ, and we accept Him into our heart by faith.  This is being reborn...another life has begun.  It is when an individual passes from spiritual darkness to light, from spiritual death to life, and from the power of Satan to the power of God.
	(John 5:24 NIV), "I tell you the truth, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be condemned; he has crossed over from death to life.” 
	This beginning a new life of faith is also mentioned in Acts 26:18.  The Apostle Paul is telling King Agrippa that he was sent to give the gospel message of Christ, which would...“Open their eyes and turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, so that they may receive forgiveness of sins and a place among those who are sanctified by faith...”
	This beginning of the Christian life, begins one’s salvation, and takes the person from spiritual death, to spiritual life (in Christ).  (1 John 3:14), “We know that we have passed from death to life, because we love our brothers.  Anyone who does not love remains in death.” 
	There is a beginning of salvation, a continuing in the faith, a growing in spiritual knowledge, and a final entrance into the kingdom of heaven, (when we pass from this earth in a righteous state, or Christ returns).

	This being reborn, (which is a complete change of heart), is from within, but is noticeable on the outside too.  ‘If you see a change in me, don’t wonder.  I have a brand new life.  I have been reborn,’ [Rebecca St. James].
	This beginning of our salvation means freedom from Satan’s hold, and release from the slavery of sin.  (Romans 6:22), “Now that you have been set free from sin and have become slaves to God, the benefit you reap leads to holiness, and the result is eternal life.”
	As a believer in Christ, our salvation begins.  We are declared righteous!  (Romans 3:22), “This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe.”
	The goal of salvation is when a person actually enters the kingdom of God, and this takes place when the individual passes away in a righteous state, or they are in a righteous state when the Lord Jesus returns.  And we are kept in a righteous state by faith.  “This righteousness from God [says Romans 3:22] comes through faith in Jesus Christ...”
	Being in, (and remaining in), a saved position is vitally important, so we should know what God’s Word says about this security in Christ Jesus.  “Be on your guard,” (says 2 Peter 3:17), “so that you may not be carried away by the error of lawless men and fall from your secure position.”
	2 Peter 1:3-4 says God’s “divine power has given us everything we need for life and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory and goodness.  Through these he has given us his very great and precious promises, so that through them you may participate in the divine nature and escape the corruption in the world caused by evil desires.”
	The Holy Spirit enables us to conduct our life according to God’s Word, and to escape the many snares and temptations of the devil.  (Vs 5-6), “For this very reason, make every effort [it is a spiritual war] to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge; and to knowledge, self‑control; and to self‑control, perseverance”...etc.
	This beginning, (and continuing) of our salvation includes learning spiritual lessons and growing in faith each day.  Verse 8, “For if you possess these qualities in increasing measure, they will keep you from being ineffective and unproductive in your knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.”
	Verses 10-11 explains about the conclusion of the salvation plan God has for His true children.  “Therefore, my brothers, be all the more eager to make your calling and election sure.  For if you do these things, you will never fall, and you will receive a rich welcome into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.”
	Acts 14:22 reminds us that persecution is part of the Christian life.  "We must through many tribulations enter the kingdom of God."  The Apostle Paul was no stranger to persecution, but when he returned to Lystra, Iconium, and Antioch, he encouraged the disciples “To remain true to the faith."
	When we meet trials and troubles according to God’s Word, we are strengthened in our faith, and are more zealous for God’s truth.  (1 Peter 1:7), “These [persecutions] have come so that your faith‑‑of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire‑‑may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed.”
	Our faith is refined (and proven genuine), when our trials, tests, and difficulties are met according to God’s Word.  The spiritual warfare that is waged every day, is a serious war because it involves salvation.
	1 Peter 5:8-9 says, “Be self‑controlled and alert,” because Satan is constantly prowling, and seeking someone to deceive.  He waits for a weak moment, and then pounces.  We are to “Resist him, standing firm in the faith...”
	Satan tries to dissolve our faith, by having us yield to his temptations.  He doesn’t mind if we ‘talk’ our faith, just so we don’t ‘live’ by faith.  It is a continuous struggle with a very dangerous enemy.
	(Vs 10) but, “the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast.”
	All of God’s promises to us are for salvation, and all of Satan’s lies to us are intended to prevent that.  The devil’s one purpose is to oppose true believers in divine things, but to help them in worldly things.  His goal is to have us, where he wants us, at the end of our life on earth.
	God however, is concerned about our spiritual life now, because He knows that if we will believe in His Son, we will walk by faith in His Word and promises.  And if we will hold steadfast, God can give us the final aspect of our salvation...His eternal Kingdom.  (1 John 5:13), “I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life.”  Or (WEY) so that “you may know for certain that you already have the Life of the Ages.”
	God is teaching spiritual lessons of faith and trust to all who are under His training program.  It is a school, and it is required that we graduate.  Between the beginning to the end of our salvation, God works with us so that we pass the tests and graduate.
	Satan’s intention is that we not graduate.  All the fighting and spiritual warfare that goes on in our life, is between good and evil, (or between God and Satan) concerning that graduation day.  The devil is determined that we are not ready, and God does everything possible to have us be ready.  God wants everyone to remain in the faith, and “Is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance,” (2 Peter 3:9). 
	When a true repentance is made, the gift of God’s grace is given, so we are in good standing with God.  We have unlimited access to Him because, “He has reconciled you by Christ's physical body through death to present you holy in his sight, without blemish and free from accusation–-“ (Colossians 1:22).  We are reconciled with God and are free from accusation, ”If you continue in your faith, established and firm, not moved from the hope held out in the gospel,” (23).
	The beginning of salvation is to accept Christ into our heart, the middle part is to walk by faith in God each day, and the conclusion is to be invited into God’s eternal Kingdom.
	This middle part (we are now in), includes repenting, confessing our sins to God, committing our life to Him, accepting the forgiveness that is available through His Son, and walking by faith each new day we are given on this earth.  Anyone can choose to live like that.
	Trials, tests, troubles, and persecution we encounter, gives the opportunity to respond according to God’s Word.  It may be a day at work when everything seems to go wrong, or concerning finances (like being asked for a donation).  It could be a physical oppression from the devil, an unprovoked insult, or feeling betrayed by a friend.
	No matter what it is, (and no matter how unjustified the wrong was), we cannot resent it nor be angry over it, because, “If you do not forgive men their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins,” (Matthew 6:15).
	No matter how bad someone’s attitude may be toward us, our attitude toward them is to remain the same.  We are to meet all injustices, insults, and being offended according to the Scriptures.  We are to, ‘Love our enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back.  Then our reward will be great, and we will be sons of the Most High,’ (Luke 6:35).
	As a child of the Father, it is our duty to meet such things as the Bible says to meet them (no matter how much against the grain).  When we follow God’s Word with anything, we give evidence that we are part of God’s plan of salvation.
	The beginning part of salvation is our conversion, which is to recognize the sin problem we have.  Accepting Christ into our heart, begins the salvation process, which means to be changed from a carnal nature to a divine nature.  This plan includes being baptized and being reborn, which begins a brand new life.
	Millions of people has been baptized (and have professed faith in Christ at one point in their life), but may have fallen away from that position in Christ, by their own willful choice to do so.
	Hearing the Word, and accepting God’s grace, is a right beginning, but how a person conducts their life from that moment, (which is revealed by their decisions and choices), determines if the seed of God’s Word, has fallen on good soil.
	Being baptized, attending church services, reading the Bible, praying, giving to charity, lending a helping hand, and singing praises to God everyday, are all right and proper, but those things have no value (of themselves) to offer salvation.  “Keeping God's commands [because of our commitment to Christ] is what counts,” (1 Corinthians 7:19).
	There is a beginning to a life of faith, and there is a learning process which continues each day to the perfecting of one’s faith.  This is a change in thinking, and results in a change in lifestyle.  (Matthew 18:3), Jesus said: "I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.”
	That is from the Son of God Himself!  ‘Unless we change from what we were, and learn to trust God [as a child trusts in a loving parent], we will not receive the final part of God’s salvation plan.’ 
	That is what Jesus said, so it must not be twisted..."Unless you turn and become like little children, you will in no case be admitted into the Kingdom of the Heavens,” (Matthew 18:3 WEY).
	Many people say they are saved, but may not be trusting God and may not be walking by faith in Christ.  If such is the case, it is because they do not think that their salvation includes acting on God’s Word.
	If our stated words and our active faith do not agree, can such faith save us? (James 2:14).  Abraham’s faith “was made complete by what he did,” (22).  “So faith without deeds is dead,” (26).
	Far too many verbally accept Jesus as their Savior, and they steadfastly believe that this statement of faith in Christ is the beginning and end of their salvation.  Hearing God’s Word and believing in His Son Jesus is absolutely necessary.  It is the initial stage, but not the final.  The moment of a person’s conversion, starts another life...one that trusts God for all things in life, and one that lives by faith in the atonement work of Christ.  (John 5:24), "I tell you the truth, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be condemned; he has crossed over from death to life.”
	Continuing in the faith, by meeting persecution, insults, financial loss, opposition from Satan, and anything else, (as God’s Word says), is the middle part of the salvation plan.  “Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, [James 1:12] because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him.”
	The ‘crown of life’ is ‘Eternal Life.’  If we have persevered in the faith, and we have stood firm during a time of testing, it simply proves that we are still connected to Christ, still enrolled in God’s school, and still growing in the faith unto salvation.
	Being reborn (through repentance, confession, and baptism) is all according to Bible example and advice, but there is a continuing in the faith each day, and remaining connected to the Source of our salvation.  Obeying God’s Word keeps us connected.  “Once made perfect, [Hebrews 5:9] He became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey him.”
	This remaining steadfast in the faith, (every day until Christ returns), is all interconnected with the beginning, the continuing, and the conclusion of our salvation.  (Hebrews 10:38-39 WEY), “It is by faith that My righteous servant shall live; and if he shrinks back, My soul takes no pleasure in him.  But we are not people who shrink back and perish, but are among those who believe and are saved.”
	This middle part, (which many religious groups do not teach and often oppose), is to commit our life to God (as they did in the Bible), to receive Christ as our Lord and Savior, and to be empowered by the Holy Spirit to walk by faith in God’s Word.
	This in-between time, (from the moment of our accepting Christ, to actually entering the Kingdom), includes meeting the circumstances of life as the New Testament teaches.  At this moment in time, we are somewhere between the beginning of accepting the Lord Jesus into our heart, and our future entrance into the Kingdom of heaven, (provided that our faith endures).  (Matthew 10:22), “He who endures to the end will be saved,” (NKJV). 
	Jesus tells us that if we hear His word, and we believe in His Father, we have eternal life, (John 5:24).  We will not be condemned, because we have crossed over from spiritual death to spiritual life [in Christ].
	This entering the final aspect of salvation depends on holding steadfast in the faith, by staying connected to the Vine, (the Source of salvation).  That continuing in the faith enables us to be among the few who find the small gate and the narrow road (Matthew 7:14), and fulfills Romans 3:22, “This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe.”
	Many warnings are given, because many fall away (from the faith).  There is the possibility of ‘wandering off.’  For instance, “The love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, [1 Timothy 6:10].  Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.”
	There is also the possibility of ‘turning away.’  (1 Timothy 5:15), “Some have in fact already turned away to follow Satan.”  There can be a ‘falling away,’ if the seed of God’s Word is not received on fertile soil.  (Luke 8:13), “Those on the rock are the ones who receive the word with joy when they hear it, but they have no root.  They believe for a while, but in the time of testing they fall away.” 
	And, (unfortunately), this ‘falling away’ from the faith seems to be a common occurrence in these closing days.  Matthew 24:10-11 says, “At that time many will turn away from the faith and will betray and hate each other, and many false prophets will appear and deceive many people.”
	So this middle part of God’s plan of salvation, includes steadfastness, perseverance, prayer, and watchfulness.  It includes trusting God each day for health, healing, daily supplies, divine guidance, protection, work-related issues, and every other aspect of life.
	If we have truly repented of our sins, and we have committed our life to God without compromise, we will (by the power God gives) be able to meet the circumstances of life according to His Word, and be among those, “who believe and are saved,” (Hebrews 10:39).
	We will have begun the Christian race, and (like the Apostle) will be heading toward the goal to, “win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus,” (Philippians 3:14). 
	That is the final aspect of God’s salvation plan for all who will truly believe in His Son, and walk by faith each day.  It is to ‘win the prize’ God is offering to all believers...that moment when we actually enter His eternal Kingdom.
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The First-Century Gospel Church
5744 NORTH FRONT STREET
PHILADELPHIA PA  19120-2404
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