The Salvation Journey

Many people believe salvation is the result of the freewill choice of each individual as they repent of their sins and accept Jesus into their hearts - it is the responsibility of each individual to obtain their own salvation if/when given the opportunity.
I don't see how that fits what I see in the Bible. For me ...

1. Salvation is the purpose and provision of God

For to this end we toil and strive, because we have our hope set on the living God, who is the Savior of all people, especially of those who believe.
[1 Timothy 4 : 10  ESV]

which was transacted by Jesus about 2000 years ago

He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for ours but also for the sins of the whole world.
[1 John 2 : 2  NIV]

All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting people's sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation. 
[2 Corinthians 5 : 18, 19  NIV]

Everyone has already been saved - whether they know it or not, believe it of not.
This is a universal, unalterable fact - God's sovereign decision faithfully put into effect by His Son, Jesus Christ.

2. All people will eventually hear this gospel, the good news described in step 1.
Maybe once or many times, in this lifetime or the next.
(Millions may never hear the gospel in their time on this planet, but will do so eventually, maybe at the Great White Throne judgement.)

Jesus said, " ... And I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all people to myself.
[John 12 : 30 ... 32  NIV]

God did what he had purposed, and made known to us the secret plan he had already decided to complete by means of Christ. 
This plan, which God will complete when the time is right, is to bring all creation together, everything in heaven and on earth, with Christ as head.
[Ephesians 1 : 9, 10  GNT]

3. After hearing the gospel, God gives faith to believe the truth of the message.

Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word about Christ. 
[Romans 10 : 17  NIV]

4. This awareness and appreciation of the good news creates change in the hearer which has two aspects: repentance - change from ignorance or rebellion in the heart, and conversion - change towards grateful submission to God in lifestyle.

We know that we have come to know him if we keep his commands. 
[1 John 2 : 3  NIV]

If you love me, you will keep my commandments. And I will ask the Father, and he will give you another Helper, that he may be with you forever; the Spirit of truth.
[John 14 : 15 - 17  UASV]

It is God who produces in you the desires and actions that please him.
[Philippians 2 : 13  GW]

It's a God plan through and through. We can take no credit for it, not even for any good things we might do after our conversion.

Oh, the depth of the riches and wisdom and knowledge of God! 
How unsearchable are his judgments and how inscrutable his ways! 
“For who has known the mind of the Lord, or who has been his counselor?” 
“Or who has given a gift to him that he might be repaid?” 
For from him and through him and to him are all things. 
To him be glory forever. Amen.
[Romans 11 :33 - 36  ESV]

Blessings, Barry 
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Other published Writings at https://www.ibtechservices.com.au

The God of Faith

We don't use this description of God very often; more frequently using terms like the God of Love, Almighty God, etc.
But let's explore this aspect of our Heavenly Father.

We shall begin by looking at the Greek word that we often translate as "faith" in English translations.
It is the word "pistin" or "pistis" - which can also be translated as "faithfulness", or even "fidelity", as well as "faith".

Often these alternatives can be very helpful in understanding what has been written for us in the Word of God.
Take for example Romans 3 : 2 - 4a, which is part of a discussion on God's promises to Israel.

... chiefly, because that unto them were committed the oracles of God.
For what if some did not believe? shall their unbelief make the faith of God without effect?
God forbid.
[KJV]

What does the "faith of God" mean?
Several other translations will help us to answer that question.

In the first place, God trusted his message to the Jews.
But what if some of them were not faithful? Does this mean that God will not be faithful?
Certainly not!
[GNB]
First of all, the Jews have been entrusted with the very words of God.
What is some were unfaithful? Will their unfaithfulness nullify God's faithfulness?
Not at all!
[NIV]
Firstly, indeed they were entrusted with God's oracles.
What then? If some were unfaithful, will their infidelity annul God's fidelity?
Let it not be so!
[DBH]

These help us see that it is the faithfulness of God that guarantees the promises to Israel will be kept.
So let's agree to use faith or faithfulness - whichever provides clarity for us English readers.

The conclusion from above is that God will remain faithful to Israel even though some of them are unfaithful.

So what about God's faithfulness to his creation as a whole?
What has he promised?

[God] made known to us the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure, which he purposed in Christ, to be put into effect when the times reach their fulfillment—to bring unity to all things in heaven and on earth under Christ.
[Ephesians 1 : 9 -10  NIV]

and

For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him (Jesus], and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross.
[Colossians 1 : 19 - 20  NIV]

What role was Jesus to play in the implementation of the Father's will?
Jesus made it clear in several conversations recorded in the Gospels.

For I have come down from heaven not to do my will but to do the will of him who sent me.
[John 6 : 38  NIV]

What about Jesus' commitment to this?

"When I am lifted up from the earth, I will draw everyone to me.”
"I came, not to judge the world, but to save it. "
[John 12 : 32, 47b  GNB]

Jesus' faithfulness to the Father's plan to save the world was surely tested in the Garden of Gethsemane.

“Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done.”
[Luke 22 : 42  NIV]

Christ's humanity produced such agony that he perspired drops of blood, but his faithfulness to his Father, and submission to the Father's will, prevailed.
Indeed he said,

"My food is to do the will of him who sent me and to finish his work".
[John 4 : 34  NIV]

And what did Jesus say on the cross just before he died?

Jesus said, "It is finished". With that, he bowed his head and gave up his spirit.
[John 19 : 30  NIV]

My appreciation of God's master plan, and his faithfulness to his promises, together with Christ's faithfulness to his Father, assure me that Christ Ultimately Rescues Everyone by the end of time, ensuring all will be reconciled to God and ready to step into eternity.

Blessings, Barry

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Other published Writings at https://www.ibtechservices.com.au