The Simplicity Of Salvation

Date: Monday, November 17, 2014
Today's Chapters: Acts 20-22
Message Title: The Simplicity Of Salvation

Hello My Friend,

Salvation, it's the act of saving one from destruction. When the Lord, Jesus Christ led a sinless life and offered Himself to be the pure, unblemished sacrifice needed to save a soul bound for hell and the destruction of the world, He did it so that every soul could escape destruction. He makes it simple, believe in me, and what I have done for you, accept what I have done to save you, trust only in me, and you will be saved. Sadly, since Jesus resurrected people have distorted this simple truth, and let me tell you, if you believe in what Jesus has done for you, and are still keeping the law for your salvation, meaning following your religions laws to keep your salvation, than you are not saved. There is only one way to be saved from hell and destruction, and that is Christ alone. “But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him. For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life.” - Romans 5:8-10.

Paul was headed for Jerusalem, along the way he made some visits, one in which was Ephesus,it was there that he gave his farewell, being convinced that he might die in Jerusalem. He told them to be careful of the wolves in sheep's clothing who would try to keep them from preaching the true Gospel. “And now, behold, I know that ye all, among whom I have gone preaching the kingdom of God, shall see my face no more. Wherefore I take you to record this day, that I am pure from the blood of all men. For I have not shunned to declare unto you all the counsel of God. Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood. For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock. Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them.” - Acts 20:25-30.

We must be careful of the wolves who teach any other Gospel, and there are many religions preaching that you must be saved by Jesus, but in order to keep your salvation you need to follow their law to keep it. Salvation is a free gift by the grace of God through our Lord, Jesus Christ, He paid the sin debt we owed on the cross, if you are still bound to the laws of your religion for your salvation, than why did Christ make such a sacrifice? It's time to stop believing the wolves who are preaching a false Gospel, led by the devil himself, because it is sending people straight to hell. “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.” - Ephesians 2:8,9.

No matter how much we long to live in the will of God, often we end up in our own rather than God's. The problem with that is that while God can use our own to fulfill His purpose eventually our will fails to achieve what we were so determined to obtain in the first place. When God calls us to do something He will have us do it, eventually, even if we go out of His will, and while He can intervene at any time, He simply will not mess with anyone's free will. Paul, as much as he allowed the Holy Spirit to direct him, ignored all the warnings given to him about going back to Jerusalem, yet he still insisted on going there. “And as we tarried there many days, there came down from Judaea a certain prophet, named Agabus. And when he was come unto us, he took Paul's girdle, and bound his own hands and feet, and said, Thus saith the Holy Ghost, So shall the Jews at Jerusalem bind the man that owneth this girdle, and shall deliver him into the hands of the Gentiles. And when we heard these things, both we, and they of that place, besought him not to go up to Jerusalem. Then Paul answered, What mean ye to weep and to break mine heart? for I am ready not to be bound only, but also to die at Jerusalem for the name of the Lord Jesus. And when he would not be persuaded, we ceased, saying, The will of the Lord be done.” - Acts 21:10-14.

Paul was willing to accept that he may die in Jerusalem saying, “The will of the Lord be done.” He truly thought that it was in the will of God that he might die in Jerusalem. Paul was willing to die for his Savior, and while I am sure that Jesus was pleased to have him give sacrifice his life for Him as He did, that's not what Jesus wants us to do. He wants us to be a living sacrifice, meaning serve Him faithfully while here on earth. Why? While we all will be jumping for joy to be up in heaven with Jesus, He wants us here to tell all we can about Him first. “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.” - Romans 12:1,2.

Some of the believing Jews refused to believe that salvation alone came from just accepting Christ, they insisted that they must keep the Law of Moses to keep their salvation. When Paul arrives in Jerusalem, he was accepted at first, but they convince him to be cleansed of his sin under the Law of Moses in order to enter the temple.

“And when they heard it, they glorified the Lord, and said unto him, Thou seest, brother, how many thousands of Jews there are which believe; and they are all zealous of the law: And they are informed of thee, that thou teachest all the Jews which are among the Gentiles to forsake Moses, saying that they ought not to circumcise their children, neither to walk after the customs. What is it therefore? the multitude must needs come together: for they will hear that thou art come. Do therefore this that we say to thee: We have four men which have a vow on them; Them take, and purify thyself with them, and be at charges with them, that they may shave their heads: and all may know that those things, whereof they were informed concerning thee, are nothing; but that thou thyself also walkest orderly, and keepest the law. As touching the Gentiles which believe, we have written and concluded that they observe no such thing, save only that they keep themselves from things offered to idols, and from blood, and from strangled, and from fornication. Then Paul took the men, and the next day purifying himself with them entered into the temple, to signify the accomplishment of the days of purification, until that an offering should be offered for every one of them.” - Acts 21:20-26.

Now, Paul did not lose his salvation because he did the works of the law, he knew that salvation was in Christ alone. What he did here was comply with the people in order to please them, many times people do get saved, but continue following the traditions they were taught in their religion just to please their family or friends. Even I will follow some of the traditions I was taught as a Catholic, but what we need to realize is that no works of any law other than asking Christ to save you is necessary for your salvation, and by the way, once you are saved, there is no way you can lose it. Christ died once, that means we only have to ask Him once. Praise God! “And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment: So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation.” - Hebrews 9:27,28.

Today's Prayer: God, Thank You for making it simple for us to be saved from hell and destruction, and thank You for the great sacrifice You made to make it simple. Although I try to follow Your will I know that there are times where I am out of it, but I also know that Your grace is good enough to draw me back. Lord, lead me and guide me, help me to make the right decisions and to understand when You are simply trying to tell me that I need to stop what I have determined in my own will to do. I know I can do and endure all things through Christ when I seek You with all my heart. I love You Lord and ask this in Jesus' name. Amen. 

God Bless You, I am praying for you,
Christina

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