Saved, Forgiven And Sanctified
My Utmost For His Highest has always been one of my favorite devotional books. The wisdom and understanding that Oswald Chambers had never ceases to amaze me.
A couple of days ago I received some clarification from Oswald. You see, I have always wondered how "Christians" could turn their backs on God, or make simple decisions to stop living for Him. In my life, God is the foundation of who I am. I could never imagine myself walking away from my relationship with God no matter what!
And Oswald helped me understand why. Because, not only am I saved and forgiven, but I have taken a second step and allowed God to sanctify me too.
A couple of days ago I received some clarification from Oswald. You see, I have always wondered how "Christians" could turn their backs on God, or make simple decisions to stop living for Him. In my life, God is the foundation of who I am. I could never imagine myself walking away from my relationship with God no matter what!
And Oswald helped me understand why. Because, not only am I saved and forgiven, but I have taken a second step and allowed God to sanctify me too.
God’s first sovereign work of grace is summed up in the words, ". . . that they may receive forgiveness of sins . . . ." When a person fails in his personal Christian life, it is usually because he has never received anything. The only sign that a person is saved is that he has received something from Jesus Christ. Our job as workers for God is to open people’s eyes so that they may turn themselves from darkness to light. But that is not salvation; it is conversion-only the effort of an awakened human being. I do not think it is too broad a statement to say that the majority of so-called Christians are like this. Their eyes are open, but they have received nothing. Conversion is not regeneration. This is a neglected fact in our preaching today. When a person is born again, he knows that it is because he has received something as a gift from Almighty God and not because of his own decision. People may make vows and promises, and may be determined to follow through, but none of this is salvation. Salvation means that we are brought to the place where we are able to receive something from God on the authority of Jesus Christ, namely, forgiveness of sins.
This is followed by God’s second mighty work of grace: ". . . an inheritance among those who are sanctified . . . ." In sanctification, the one who has been born again deliberately gives up his right to himself to Jesus Christ, and identifies himself entirely with God’s ministry to others.
that's very true teaching
12:13 AM
That is a great way to explain it.
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