A Full Gospel without Full Salvation - Part 4B

This post is “part 4B,” because it is not only a continuation of the series as a whole; it is a continuation of part 4. In this post, I will discuss further the fact that full salvation is a secure salvation.

Full Salvation is a Secure Salvation – Continued

The full salvation that we receive from the hand of Christ is a secure salvation. Many are afraid of the word “security.” A good number of “full gospel” advocates have little or no security in regards to their salvation. Our security rests on a foundation of several truths. The first truth that I looked at is the Biblical fact that…

“FULL SALVATION” NEVER EXPIRES – CONTINUED

The last point I made concerning this truth was that, in the book of John, at least six times, Jesus associates the act of believing with “everlasting” or “eternal” life. I pointed out that the word EVERLASTING literally means “LASTING for EVER.”

I will continue my thoughts here. The phrases “eternal life” and “everlasting life” occur in the book of John alone thirteen times. When Jesus used these phrases, showing how to possess eternal, or everlasting life, He always spoke in the present tense. Christ always taught that if we believe on Him, we HAVE everlasting life. He presently gives us everlasting life RIGHT NOW. Some are trying to be faithful so they can obtain everlasting life after they die. This is not the everlasting life that Christ gives.

John 5:24 – “Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on Him that sent me, HATH [present tense] everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation, but is passed from death unto life.”

I John 5:13 – “These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye HAVE [present tense] eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.”

In these two verses, one speaks of “everlasting life;” the other speaks of “eternal life.” Both speak of possessing this life presently. Other verses that show this clearly are John 3:15; John 3:16; John 3:36; John 6:40; John 6:47; and John 6:54. Full salvation is not probation. It is complete justification, as we saw clearly in part 2 of this series.

“FULL SALVATION” CANNOT BE SNATCHED BY THE DEVIL

At this time, I want to look at some clear verses of scripture from John’s Gospel, the tenth chapter.

John 10:10 – “The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.”

It is understood that the thief, in the above verse, is the devil. He comes to steal, kill, and destroy. Although this is his express purpose, I want to make it clear that the devil cannot kill the child of God by taking away everlasting life. Jesus makes this truth very clear in the same chapter. Notice:

John 10:27, 28 – “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: And I give unto them eternal life; and THEY SHALL NEVER PERISH, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.”

Now, what did Jesus mean when He said, “I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish”? What He meant was, “I give unto them eternal life; and THEY SHALL NEVER PERISH!” The phrase “never perish” means that the devil cannot kill me spiritually. He cannot take away my everlasting life. Yes, the thief comes to steal. And he is doing just that. He is stealing even from Christians. He steals their joy. He steals their peace. The thief comes to kill. And he is doing just that. He is killing those who serve him. Those who give their lives to the service of the devil end up on the deathbed, gasping for their final breath. They are there oftentimes because of the hard lives they have lived for Satan. The devil rewards those who serve him – with death. He kills his own! Then, he destroys them in an eternal, burning hell.

But as for the Christian, the devil has no authority to kill or destroy him! The Christian is in the fold of the Good Shepherd. He has no authority to take eternal life from one sheep that belongs to the Good Shepherd. THEY SHALL NEVER PERISH! When you receive full salvation, you receive life that all the devils in hell cannot touch!

“FULL SALVATION” CANNOT BE DIMINISHED BY MAN!

Not only can the devil do nothing about my salvation, but mankind is helpless is destroying my salvation.

John 10:28, 29 – “And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, NEITHER SHALL ANY MAN pluck them out of my hand. My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and NO MAN IS ABLE to pluck them out of my Father’s hand.”

What a great truth! A man who believes on Christ is safe from the hand of man. In the United States, we do not appreciate this truth as they do in other countries. There are nations in the world where it is dangerous to be a Christian. Richard Wurmbrand suffered for fourteen years in a Romanian prison, simply for preaching the gospel. The guards beat his body, but they could not touch his soul! His body was deprived, but his soul was secure! The Romanian government was able to confine Richard Wurmbrand to a prison cell; they were able to deny him the simple pleasures of life; they were able to sever him from the ties of his family. But there is one thing they did not do, because they were not able to do it – “NO MAN IS ABLE to pluck them out of my Father’s hand!” These merciless guards could not snatch his salvation from him! It was untouchable! The devil can’t kill me spiritually (or physically, for that matter); man cannot cause me to be lost!

CLOSING THOUGHTS

A good closing passage for this series is found in Romans 8. Look with me:

Romans 8:35-39 – “Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter. Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us. For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

In Full Gospel circles, the songs written by Adger M. Pace are frequently sung. He wrote He’s my King; Victory Today is Mine; and Heaven’s Jubilee. A lesser known song of his is the song entitled Deeper than the Stain Has Gone –

When with holy choirs we’re standing in the presence of the great King,

And our souls are lost in wonder as the white-robed choirs sing.

Then we’ll praise the name of Jesus with the millions ‘round the throne.

Praise Him for the power that reaches deeper than the stain has gone.

Praise the Lord for FULL SALVATION!

God still reigns upon His throne.

And I know the blood still reaches

Deeper than the stain has gone.

A Full Gospel without Full Salvation - Part 4A

Having noticed that some believe in the “full gospel,” I have noticed that many who adhere to such a gospel do not even believe in “full salvation.” I have, in recent previous posts, been expounding upon the meaning of “full salvation.” Philip Paul Bliss caught a glimpse of full salvation when he wrote:

‘Tis the promise of God,

Full salvation to give

Unto him who on Jesus,

His Son will believe.

Hallelujah, ‘tis done!

I believe on the Son;

I am saved by the blood

Of the crucified One!

Philip Bliss’ writings concerning full salvation are not limited to the above lines. It was Philip Bliss who also wrote:

Come, sing the gospel’s joyful sound,

Salvation full and free;

Proclaim to all the world around,

The year of jubilee!

Salvation, salvation,

The grace of God doth bring;

Salvation, salvation,

Thro’ Christ our Lord and King.

Full salvation is a complete salvation, a justified salvation, and a sanctified salvation. But, there is yet more.

Full Salvation is a Secure Salvation

A good percentage of professing Christians today have a shaky salvation, ready to topple at the commission of one evil work, or at the omission of one good work. I would say, based upon my travels throughout this country, that in the United States, there are very few people who know positively, absolutely, beyond the shadow of a doubt, that they are saved by the grace of God with a secure salvation that hinges solely upon Jesus Christ and His finished work upon the cross. Many well-meaning church members are “striving to make heaven their home.” This phrase, “striving to make heaven my home,” is not found in the Bible anywhere. Yet, so many are attempting to perform this unattainable, unscriptural task. Long ago, I ceased to work for heaven. When the Lord saved me by His marvellous grace, I entered into His rest. Jesus said in Matthew 11:28, “Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” How do you know if you have entered into rest? The apostle gives us the answer:

Hebrews 4:10 – “For he that is entered into his rest, he also hath ceased from his own works, as God did from His.”

The evidence that you have entered into rest is that you have ceased to work! Now, I understand that the man who is genuinely saved will work for God. There is no denying that. However, when you enter into rest, you are resting solely upon Christ’s work for your salvation, and consequently, you cease from your own works in attempt to gain salvation. Furthermore, resting in Christ gives a full salvation, consisting of security. Yes, I said, “security.” I’m amazed at how many promoters of the “full gospel” preach little or no security for the one who is saved by the grace of God.

“FULL SALVATION” NEVER EXPIRES

In my previous post, I wrote extensively concerning our sanctification. I explained, using the Word of God, how a person is sanctified the moment he trusts Christ to save Him. If you have not read my previous post, it would benefit the reader to do so before continuing this post.

The Bible clearly teaches that we obtain salvation “through sanctification of the Spirit.” This means simply that you cannot be saved without being sanctified. It is the saving, atoning blood of Jesus Christ that sanctifies the moment we trust Christ to save us. Notice:

Hebrews 10:10 – “By the which will [the will of God, see verse 9] we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.”

Plainly, the scripture reads this way – “...we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ.” “The offering of the body of Jesus Christ” refers to the act of Jesus Christ offering His own body upon the altar that we call “the cross.” The Old Testament lambs were OFFERED, being slain upon the Old Testament altars. But Christ was OFFERED, upon the old, rugged cross. The split second we trust Christ to save us, the same blood that saves us also sanctifies us! We are NOT sanctified through “giving up things.” We “give up things” because He sanctified us by His blood. We are NOT sanctified by “changing the way we live.” We “change the way we live” because He sanctified us by His blood. Let’s get it straight – we are sanctified BY HIS BLOOD – the offering of Christ’s body upon the cross – and we receive it the moment we are saved by the grace of God. We will certainly grow in our sanctification; but we receive it when we receive Christ. The sanctification we receive instantly at the time of salvation will GRADUALLY conform us to the image of Christ – no doubt about that. But we are partakers of this sanctification upon receiving Christ.

Why am I saying all of this? I showed you Hebrews 10:10, which states clearly that we are sanctified through Christ’s offering of His body upon the cross. Now, let us look at verse 14 of the same chapter:

Hebrews 10:14 – “For by one offering He hath perfected FOR EVER them that are sanctified.”

This verse needs no explanation to honest students of the Bible. The context is the “offering of the body of Jesus Christ,” that is, Christ’s death upon the cross. In verse 10, the writer states that we are sanctified by Christ’s ONE OFFERING, and that offering would be offered ONCE FOR ALL. Then, in verse 14, the writer goes on to say what Christ does for them who have been sanctified by Christ’s blood – “…He hath perfected FOR EVER” them that are sanctified! I hear a lot of the “full gospel” advocates quoting Matthew 5:48 – “Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.” They’ll use this verse to preach that our works must be absolutely perfect to obtain salvation. Listen carefully, friend. No one’s works ever made anyone perfect! There’s only one way for sinful men to become perfect. You must be born again! When you place your faith in the blood of Jesus Christ to save and cleanse you (Romans 3:25), He immediately sanctifies you by that blood (Hebrews 10:10), and perfects you FOR EVER (Hebrews 10:14)! We are perfect because Christ paid off our sins completely – all of them! Then, Christ places His righteousness upon us. The moment we are saved, the Father only sees Christ when He looks at me! That’s the only way sinners can be made perfect!

Our salvation is secure because it is an eternal, never expiring work. I didn’t write it, but look with me at the fifth chapter of Hebrews, which speaks of Christ:

Hebrews 5:9 – “And being made perfect, he became the author of ETERNAL SALVATION unto all them that obey him.”

When a man obeys Jesus Christ, he receives eternal salvation. Now, some interpret this to mean that you must obey every commandment in the Bible. At the end of your life, if you have obeyed every law and commandment in the Bible, then you will receive eternal salvation at that time. NOT SO! Laws and commandments do not give life of any kind, let alone eternal life!

Galatians 3:21 – “…if there had been a law given which could have given life, verily righteousness should have been by the law.”

Laws do not give life of any kind, my friend. Which command of Christ must we obey to obtain salvation?

I Thessalonians 1:8 – “In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that OBEY NOT THE GOSPEL of our Lord Jesus Christ.”

I Peter 4:17 – “For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that OBEY NOT THE GOSPEL of God?”

The above verses make it clear – judgment is coming to those who OBEY NOT THE GOSPEL! Hebrews 5:9 makes it clear that Jesus is the author of eternal salvation unto all them that OBEY Him. And the commandment in which we are to obey is – the gospel!

How do you obey the gospel? The gospel, according to I Corinthians 15, is the message of Christ’s death, burial, and resurrection. How do you obey that message? You do not obey the gospel by keeping laws and commandments; you do not obey the gospel by sacraments and baptism. There’s only one way to obey the gospel. You obey the gospel by BELIEVING THE GOSPEL. That’s the command of Christ that brings salvation.

Mark 1:15 – “And saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and BELIEVE THE GOSPEL.”

At least six times in the book of John, Jesus associates the act of believing with everlasting, or eternal life. Let me ask you a question. How long does everlasting life last? The word, “everlasting” means “LASTING for EVER.” Some claim to believe the “full gospel,” and their salvation lasts only until the next time they sin. What they need to catch a glimpse of full salvation!

STILL NOT DONE…

A Full Gospel without Full Salvation - Part 3

In exploring this full salvation, I have shown from the scriptures that full salvation is first, a complete salvation. It needs no work of any kind added to it. The only thing that “full salvation” needs to become actual in a man’s life is faith. Full salvation is the Lord’s work, and we just trust solely upon His complete finished work to be saved completely. Full salvation is not only a complete salvation; full salvation is secondly a deliverance salvation. It is not the repetition of a prayer. Included in the package of full salvation is deliverance from sin! Thirdly, I have shown in depth that full salvation is justification. We are, at the moment of salvation, declared “not guilty,” even before we have the chance to perform one single good work. As for those who claim to believe the “full gospel,” many of them are ignorant as of these great aspects of full salvation. The benefits of full salvation are not limited to the conditions mentioned thus far.

Full Salvation is a Sanctified Salvation

Sanctification is a blessed Bible doctrine. Though its principle is forsaken by many, and its practice is forsaken by many more, it is yet a Bible doctrine that needs to be preached in this unsanctified generation.

What is sanctification? Though the dictionary gives several definitions, those definitions can be narrowed down to two explanations. First, to sanctify means, “to cleanse.” Secondly, sanctify means, “to set apart.” Oh, how the sinner needs a cleansing! And we have a fountain opened for sin and uncleanness!

So many argue over the method by which one is sanctified that they miss the beauty of the great teaching.  Sanctification is the means by which we are made HOLY, like God is HOLY.  Sanctification is the means by which we are made LIKE JESUS CHRIST!  It is through sanctification that we are conformed into the image of Jesus Christ!  Oh, to be more like Him!  I do not spend all my time arguing over HOW it occurs; I wish to spend my time, rather, preaching its truths so it can occur! 

Now, there are basically two schools of thought regarding sanctification among our Full Gospel churches. The first school of thought teaches sanctification to be a second definite work of grace. A person who believes sanctification this way may claim to have been saved in January, but did not get sanctified until July. Those who believe that sanctification is a second definite work of grace believe that sanctification, like salvation, is a definite, instantaneous experience, separate from salvation. According to the adherents to this teaching, the results of such an experience are described often as deliverance from the lusts of the flesh, the pull of the world, the snares of the devil, and even temptation. The second school of thought regarding sanctification is called progressive sanctification. This means that sanctification is attained gradually. We grow in our sanctification.

WHAT DOES THE BIBLE TEACH REGARDING SANCTIFICATION?

I will show, with the Bible, that neither of these schools of thought is correct entirely, although both schools of thought contain truth.

First, the Bible teaches that sanctification is a definite experience. Acts 20:32; Acts 26:18; I Corinthians 1:2; I Corinthians 6:11; Hebrews 2:11; Hebrews 10:10; Hebrews 10:14; and Jude 1 all refer to people who “ARE SANCTIFIED.” That is the group in which I am. I am not “striving to be sanctified;” I am not “trying to live sanctified;” I am not becoming sanctified,” I am in the group of people that “ARE SANCTIFIED!”

Now, the next question then is “When was I sanctified?” The Bible gives a clear answer to this. I was sanctified the very moment I was saved. When a person says, “I was saved in January, but I wasn’t sanctified until June,” that person is in error. Friend, if you were not sanctified until June, you were not saved until June! Sanctification is a definite work, but not a SECOND definite work! You were not saved in one experience, then sanctified in another.

There are simple verses in scripture that show us that we are sanctified at the time of salvation.

I Peter 1:2 – “Elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through sanctification of the Spirit.”

This verse deals with the believer’s election to salvation. Without muddying the waters of election, let me say it as simply as possible. Election simply means, “chosen.” Every saved individual is saved because God chose you to be saved. How are we “elect,” or “chosen?” We are, according to this verse, elected first, according to the foreknowledge of God the Father; and second, through sanctification of the Spirit. Let me say it slower, so we will all get it. I am elected to salvation; that is, God chose me to be saved. How did He choose me? THROUGH SANCTIFICATION OF THE SPIRIT. If you are not sanctified by the Spirit, you have not been elected to salvation. Let us look at another verse.

II Thessalonians 2:13 – “…God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth.”

Here again, the subject is the act of God choosing us to salvation. How did He choose us to salvation? Through sanctification of the Spirit. What do these verses mean? To put it simply, when you believe on Jesus Christ to be saved, the Spirit of God, at that moment, sanctifies you. You are chosen to salvation THROUGH sanctification of the Spirit. You cannot get to salvation, except you come THROUGH sanctification of the Spirit. If you have not gone THROUGH sanctification, you have not attained salvation.

Now, I trust that the reader will stay with me. How is a person sanctified at the time of salvation? The Bible shines light upon this question as well. Earlier, we defined sanctification to mean two things. First, the one who is sanctified is “cleansed;” and second, the one who is sanctified is “set apart.” We just read two verses that state plainly that salvation is attained THROUGH sanctification OF THE SPIRIT. The Spirit of God sanctifies the believer the moment they trust Jesus Christ to save them. The Spirit of God, at the moment of salvation, CLEANSES the believer; and SETS THE BELIEVER APART from this world. How does He do this? In answering this, let us look first at a clear passage of scripture regarding salvation:

Romans 3:24, 25 – “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.”

The subject of the passage is justification by faith. It is clearly a salvation passage. It is stated here that Christ is our redemption, and that through Him we have propitiation, which is simply an appeasement of God’s wrath. God is angry with the wicked every day. But when the wicked come to Christ, God’s wrath is appeased. His anger cools down – all because of what Jesus did upon the cross. How does a sinner appease the wrath of God? The answer is found in the above passage – “through faith IN HIS BLOOD.” A sinner is saved, and the wrath of God is appeased, when the sinner lets go of everything else, and places his faith IN HIS BLOOD! When a sinner places his faith in the blood of Jesus Christ, he is saved at that moment! Now, what does the blood of Christ do for that sinner? Look –

I John 1:7 – “But if we walk in the light, as He is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son CLEANSETH [sanctifies] us from ALL SIN!”

The very moment that the sinner places his faith in the blood of Christ, that blood sanctifies, or cleanses, him from every sin!

But that is not all! Sanctification is not only “cleansing,” but it is also a “setting apart.” The Spirit of God, at the moment of salvation, sets the penitent sinner apart from this world. How does this happen?

I Corinthians 12:13 – “For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit.”

This verse refers to the one body of which every saved individual is a member! When you are saved, you immediate become part of the body of Christ. You are immediately a member of the body of believers called “the church.” I do not mean that you are immediately a member of A CHURCH; I mean that you are a member of THE CHURCH. You are part of the redeemed; you are a member of the called-out ones! The word, “church,” means “called out.” When a person believes on Jesus Christ, the Spirit of God not only cleanses him from every sin and stain by the blood of Christ, but the Spirit also baptizes the believer into the body of Christ. The Spirit of God, at the moment of salvation, removes your citizenship from this world, and baptizes you into a place within the called-out ones! He sets you apart, making you a part of the true church, the church of Jesus Christ. At the moment of salvation, you are cleansed from every sin; and you are set apart from the world, baptized by the Spirit into the body of Christ! Yes, I’ll say it again. If you did not get sanctified, you did not get saved!

Now, just because you have been sanctified by the Spirit of God at the moment of salvation does not indicate that you will never be tempted; nor does it mean that you will never sin. The same man who wrote I John 1:7, which states that the blood of Jesus Christ cleanses, or sanctifies, from all sin, also wrote I John 2:1, where it states, “If any man sin…” Yes, sin is possible even after you are sanctified at salvation. This is why you must grow in your sanctification. There is growth. By growing in sanctification, you are not attaining sanctification gradually. Rather, you have been sanctified, and now you are growing in it. You are continually laying things aside so you can, in greater measure, set yourself apart to have fellowship with the Lord. The next question, then, is “How do you grow in sanctification?”

John 17:17 – “Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.”

Here, Jesus is praying to the Father. He is praying for believers. And His prayer to the Father is that we will be sanctified by His word, the truth. Though we have been sanctified at the moment of salvation, we grow in our sanctification by continually studying the word of God, and obeying it! The word shows me what is right and what is wrong. Upon learning the truths of the word, I lay things aside that I might draw nigh to God. This is what I mean by “growing in my sanctification.”

Furthermore, Romans 15:16 deals with the Gentiles, being “sanctified by the Holy Ghost.” Yes, the Holy Ghost sanctifies us at salvation, but as we walk in the Spirit, He continues the cleansing, sanctifying work. The Bible teaches that, in the Christian walk, there will be a battle between our flesh and our spirit. Our spirit wants to please God; our flesh wants to please God. Even Jesus, the Son of the living God, battled this. Anyone who tells you that they are saved, and they do not have this battle, I wouldn’t believe anything else they say!

As we live in the word, the word continues to sanctify us. As we walk in the Spirit, the Spirit continues to sanctify us. As we confess our sins, the blood of Christ continues to cleanse us! Yes, full salvation is a sanctified salvation!

MORE COMING...

A Full Gospel without Full Salvation - Part 2

Continuing the previous thought, I am writing concerning those who boast of believing a “full gospel,” but have not grasped half of what they have in salvation. They claim to have passed the blessing of salvation long ago, but there is much concerning salvation they did not take. They claim to believe the “full gospel,” but do not possess “full salvation.” Now, I am not saying that they are not saved who have grasped but little of the salvation of Jesus Christ. Salvation is so vast a subject that there is no one who has fully comprehended it. As a matter of fact, I have yet to understand why God Almighty would even love filthy, ungodly, unrighteous, unholy sinners, but He does! A man asked a preacher this question – “Why did Jesus choose Judas, knowing that Judas would betray Him?” Simple was the preacher’s reply – “I have been dealing with a question much harder than that.”

“What question is that?” asked the inquirer.

“I have not been trying to understand why Jesus chose Judas; I have been trying to figure out why Jesus chose me!”

How true! When I speak of “full salvation,” I am not implying that we can understand it all; or even that we can begin to understand its fullness. However, we have much more in God’s great gift of salvation than so many of us realize. So many people today who are well-meaning Christians have such a discounted view of salvation. Their perception of salvation is far lower than its actuality.

Up to this point, I have been describing what is meant by the phrase, “full salvation.” In no way can I exhaust “full salvation,” but I do wish to give just a few points more regarding the nature of “full salvation.”

Full Salvation is Justification

So many within our ranks spend so much time arguing their view of sanctification that they have no concept whatsoever of justification. Justification is something to rejoice about! Justification is a legal term. It means that we have been to court. The evidence has been weighed. The jury has issued their decision. The judge has presided over the case, and that case is settled. Justification simply means, “Declared to be ‘not guilty.’” In our legal system, we do not use the term, “justification.” Rather, we use the term, “acquitted.” As for the sins which I have committed, the Judge of all the earth cannot find them. Satan, the infamous Prosecutor, cannot gather any evidence whatsoever against me! I have been justified by the blood of Jesus Christ!

How can one be justified, or declared “not guilty,” when indeed he has sinned? Make no mistake about it. The author of this post has sinned. I have committed deeds offensive to God Almighty. Yet, He has declared me to be “not guilty!” How did this happen? Did I successfully hide my sins from the all-seeing eye? Not a chance. Does God show favoritism to me? God forbid; for He is “no respecter of persons.” What He has done for me He is ready to do for you. So, how did this justification come about? How was I declared “not guilty” when I had sinned before God?

Two events occurred to bring about justification to my hopeless case. The first event took place about 2,000 years ago. The Father took my sins, and placed them upon Jesus. Look at the scripture:

Isaiah 53:6 – “All we like sheep have gone astray; we have turned every one to his own way; and the LORD hath laid on him the iniquity of us all.”

Understand this – Jesus Christ was, while He was in the flesh, perfect in every sense of the word. He never sinned in word, in thought, or in deed. But my sins were laid upon Him. He died like a criminal, crucified in the midst of thieves. Why was an innocent man crucified that dreadful day? He was dying, not for His own sins; for He had no sins for which to die. He was dying for my sin and yours. He took them upon Himself and paid the penalty of death for them! He died in my place.

Now, it is not enough for Christ to die. He died for every man, but every man will not be saved. One must trust completely Christ’s payment for our sins upon the cross. One must let go everything else, and trust solely in Christ’s work upon the cross to save him. This is called, “faith,” and at the moment of believing Christ’s work for salvation, a person is completely saved.

I stated that two events took place to bring about my justification. The first was my sins being placed upon Jesus Christ; the second took place in my life seventeen years ago. On March 13, 1994, I went down to an altar, and asked the Lord to save me, trusting Him and His work alone. At that moment, I not only trusted the Lord’s payment of my sins that were laid upon Him, but He immediately placed His robe of righteousness around me. The first event that resulted in my justification was when my sins were laid upon Christ; the second event is when Christ’s righteousness was laid upon me! Now, when the Father examines me in His court, He sees only the righteousness of Christ! He cannot find any sins against me, because Jesus Christ took them, and paid the penalty of death for them! He rose from the dead, proving that He died for my sins; not His own. Had He died for His own sins, the grave would have kept Him, for the wages of sin is death. But He resurrected from the dead, proving that the Father had accepted His payment of my sin and yours. Now, when we trust His payment for our sins, His righteousness is laid upon us, and the Father can rightfully declare us “NOT GUILTY!” Praise the Lord for this sublime truth!

As I previously stated, we do not use the word, “justification” in our present American legal system. We rather use the word, “acquittal.” Now, consider this. What is the opposite of justification? Knowing that we use the word “acquittal” rather than “justification,” let me ask it this way – “What is the opposite of being acquitted, the opposite of being found ‘not guilty’?” The opposite of being found “not guilty,” of course, is the act of being found “guilty!” In our legal system, we call this, “conviction.” If one is found guilty of a crime, he is “convicted.” The Bible term for “convicted” is “condemned.” The exact opposite of being justified is being condemned. To understand what a blessing it is to be justified, let us look and see what the Bible says about being condemned, which we Christians are not, since we have been justified.

John 3:18 – “He that believeth on him is NOT CONDEMNED: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.”

He that believeth on Him is NOT CONDEMNED! When I completely believe on, or trust, Jesus Christ, I am in no wise found guilty for any of my past sins! Believing on Christ erases them from the record!

That’s great news regarding my past sins, but what about presently? Am I justified presently, or was justification something regarding my past only? Let us see how the scriptures answer us:

Romans 8:1 – “There is therefore NOW no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.”

Justification is my PRESENT condition before the court of the great Judge! What does the future hold for them who believe on Christ? What does the Bible say about our justification in the future?

John 5:24 – “Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and SHALL NOT COME INTO condemnation, but is passed from death unto life!”

There is no possible way for the man who is trusting Jesus Christ for FULL SALVATION to come into condemnation! There is no route from “faith in Christ” to “condemnation.”

Even though the scriptures are plain, that if I believe on, or trust Jesus Christ, I am justified rather than condemned, there are those who would try to condemn me. There are those who would tell me that I am condemned, even though I am trusting solely in Jesus Christ. They say I am condemned because I have not kept every commandment in the Bible. Others say I am condemned because I do not worship on Saturday. Others say I am condemned because the preacher who baptized me in water did not say the word, “Jesus” before he dunked me. Others say I am condemned because I do not perform sacraments. You may ask, “How do you answer these accusations of condemnation?” The Bible has a word for those who would try to condemn me, in spite of God’s justification. Notice:

Romans 8:33, 34 – “Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God’s elect? It is God that justifieth. Who is he that condemneth? It is Christ that died, yea rather, that is risen again, who is even at the right hand of God, who also maketh intercession for us.”

I learn two things from this passage. First, it is clear that if God Almighty says I’m justified, or declared to be “not guilty,” then no man has any power whatsoever to declare me guilty! No one, not even the devil himself, can condemn me when God says I’m justified! Second, I learn from this passage the blessed truth that is revealed to us here in the form of a question – “Who shall lay any thing to the charge of God’s elect?” From this passage, it is not only true that no man can condemn me when God justifies me; but it is equally true that no one can even lay anything to my charge! Not only can I not be condemned when God justifies me; you cannot even bring charges against me!

Romans 5:1 – “Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ.”

MORE TO COME…

A Full Gospel without Full Salvation

Being commonplace for churches today to claim to believe the FULL GOSPEL, it is therefore necessary to understand what is meant by that phrase. Sometimes, though not always, the one claiming to believe in the “full gospel” insinuates that others do not have as much gospel as they do. At times, those claiming to have the “full gospel” are exclusivists – that is, they believe that their group is, in its entirety, the body of Christ, and no other group is part of the true church. While this is not often the case, it is the case at times.

What is the “full gospel”? When one says that they believe in the “full gospel,” they believe that salvation is only the start; not the end. So many churches today preach salvation as an end, when in reality, salvation is the beginning – the beginning of a walk with God; the beginning of a relationship with Jesus Christ; the beginning of discipleship; the beginning of higher heights and deeper depths; the beginning of a life lived for Christ; the beginning of, in some cases, a ministry. Salvation is not the conclusion of one’s relationship with Christ; it is the start! Those who believe in the full gospel of Christ believe that the one who has received salvation should grow, learn, give, worship, and gain more from Christ. And rightly so. There is more to receive after one receives the blessed gift of salvation. However, while you may receive more FROM Christ, you’ll never receive more THAN Christ. At salvation, you receive Jesus Christ. While the Christ who lives within you has more to offer; you’ll get it all through Him. He is our all-in-all. He is all we need. I am filled with the Holy Ghost when Christ fills me; I am called to the ministry when Christ calls me; I am illuminated with the truths of scripture when the Holy Ghost, who is sent by Christ, reveals it to me! While one can never grow BEYOND Christ; one can grow IN Christ, and most certainly should do so!

So, those claiming to believe the “full gospel” claim to gain more from Christ than simply salvation. And this is certainly the correct mindset, as Christ has more to offer. However, I have made an observation to be shared with the reader. I have observed that some who do not align themselves with the “full gospel” crowd preach and believe in a FULL SALVATION. On the other hand, some who claim to believe the “full gospel” do not believe in a full salvation! Now, the question arises, “what is meant by FULL SALVATION?” Make no mistake about it – I believe in the FULL GOSPEL. While I understand that the Christ who lives within the believer has much more to offer than merely salvation, the reader must understand that I also believe strongly in a FULL SALVATION! Some say they believe in a full gospel, but they haven’t even gotten everything out of salvation that Christ intended them to have. Now, I will look at the question, “What is meant by ‘full salvation,’ and what does it include?”

Full Salvation is Complete Salvation

The salvation that Jesus Christ purchased upon the cross is a complete salvation – neither a deed nor creed can be added to it! It is complete! It needs no touching up! It needs nothing to sustain it! Look at what the wise preacher observed –

Ecclesiastes 3:14 – “I know that, whatsoever God doeth, it shall be for ever: nothing can be put to it, nor any thing taken from it: and God doeth it, that men should fear before him.”

Imagine this, if you can: Jesus Christ, the Saviour of the world, being mocked in the house of Annas and Caiaphas. He goes from there to Pilate, the Roman governor. Pilate examines Him thoroughly, declaring that He could find no fault whatsoever in Jesus Christ. Pilate, after hearing the mob mention Galilee, sends Christ to Herod, because Christ is a Galilean. Herod mocks the Messiah, but does nothing. He simply sends Christ back to Pilate. A second time, Pilate examines Jesus Christ, finding no fault concluding a second examination. Pilate has Jesus scourged, or whipped, until He was unrecognizable. The scriptures tell us that visage, or face, of Christ was marred more than any man. We are told that there is no beauty that we should desire Him. After Christ is publicly beaten, He is then forced to take up a cross and bear it to Calvary’s rugged hill. There, He is stretched out upon the cross. Nails are driven into His hands and feet – may I insert, that these are the hands and feet of a man who KNEW NO SIN whatsoever! He was not only innocent of the crime for which He is dying; He is entirely innocent of any wrongdoing, on any scale, judged by any man’s standard. If He is innocent, why is He dying? He is dying the death of a criminal because you and I are the criminals worthy of death – but alas! Here, Christ dies in our place, so that we might live eternally!

Can you imagine, for a single moment, Christ dying the horrendous death that He died to make salvation difficult? If you think that salvation is difficult (on man’s part), you need to read the blessed story of the crucifixion of our Saviour again. It has not taken root in your heart as it should. God the Father did not send His only begotten Son into the world to make it hard to be saved! He sent Christ to be the Saviour of the world! Let me say it this way: God the Father did not send Christ into the world to help us live perfect so we can save ourselves! God the Father sent Christ into the world to die for us, so that when we place our faith in Him, we are COMPLETELY SAVED! Man is in no way capable of saving Himself. Jesus did not die the cruel death of the cross in order to start a salvation that you and I could finish! He came to FINISH that glorious work of salvation!

John 17:4 – “I have glorified thee on the earth: I have finished the work which thou gavest me to do.”

John 19:30 – “When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he said, IT IS FINISHED: and he bowed his head, and gave up the ghost.”

Praise the Lord! The work is finished! All that we must do is place our faith in His completed work on the cross. And, by doing so, we receive a salvation that is complete! I am saved by grace, through faith (Ephesians 2:8). I am kept saved by the power of God, through faith (I Peter 1:5). The same faith in Christ that gets me saved keeps me saved! Of course, genuine salvation produces good works; but the works do not keep me saved. Only faith in the blood of Christ alone is my complete salvation!

Full Salvation is a “Deliverance” Salvation

When a person receives Biblical salvation, that person is delivered. Notice with me, if you will, Romans the 10th chapter, that great salvation chapter:

Romans 10:13 – “For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.”

Here, Paul is quoting from the book of Joel. Let’s look at the verse Paul is quoting:

Joel 2:32 – “And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the name of the LORD shall be delivered.”

In Joel, the prophet says, “Whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be DELIVERED.” When Paul the apostle quotes this passage, he says, “Whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be SAVED.” Is this a contradiction? It is absolutely not a contradiction! Genuine, Biblical salvation that is from the Lord is a salvation that delivers! It is a salvation that sets free! Biblical salvation IS deliverance!

II Corinthians 5:17 – “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.”

While there are those who simply “say a prayer,” and experience no change, may I say frankly that an experience such as that one is not equivalent to the “full salvation” that the Bible offers! There is deliverance available to the captive! Thanks be to God for a gospel that sets free from drugs; a gospel that delivers from alcohol; a gospel that transforms the pill addict into a prayer warrior! I have seen this done over and over! I know people personally, who, did not merely say a prayer; but they received full salvation – a salvation that sets free!

Isaiah prophesied concerning the work of Christ. Look, he says, at what Christ came to do –

Isaiah 61:1 – “The Spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me; because the LORD hath anointed me to preach good tidings unto the meek; he hath sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to PROCLAIM LIBERTY TO THE CAPTIVES, and the OPENING OF THE PRISON to them that are bound.”

What a ministry! Yes, this is exactly what Jesus Christ came to do! He came to set men and women free from the bondage and prison-houses of sin! He came to deliver completely, and to set free. Many churches simply ask people to repeat a prayer. These churches often express no expectation of real deliverance. I do not blame them for not expecting true deliverance; many of these churches proclaim a sorry gospel that does not have power to deliver an individual from sin! But the gospel that I preach – the gospel of Jesus Christ – the message of the Bible, God’s holy Word, has shown the power of deliverance from bondage over and over. And when one places faith in the Christ that I preach, I expect a change, because the Christ I preach has the power to change them! Full salvation is deliverance!

TO BE CONINUED…