How Salvation Works #3

Introduction

I want to begin this morning with a quote from Charles Caleb Colton, who said, Times of great calamity and confusion have been productive for the greatest minds. The purest ore is produced from the hottest furnace. The brightest thunderbolt is elicited from the darkest storm. I’m not so sure I have the brightest thunderbolt around. I’m certainly not one of the great minds that he’s talking about. But I do believe that every one of us is of sufficient mind to be delivered from the great confusion that exists in the religious world about how salvation works. And that’s my aim in this series of lessons that began last Lord’s day. This is installment number three. I never preach series, but this is a rare exception. And this is the concluding sermon, unless something happens this week and I come up with lesson number four.

1. Whoever Believes Is Born of God

We looked last week in 1 John chapter 5, a little bit further down in the context, but I want to go back up to verse 1 to begin this morning. As we talk about what salvation involves and how it works, listen carefully as John is concluding his message, writing to believers about how that they can know that they’re saved. And he says, Whoever believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God. Now, obviously, he’s already defined in this book, believing in Jesus the Christ is more than just a simple affirmation in one’s mind. It’s a signing on to all that the Savior is about. It’s the proper acknowledgement of him as Savior, King, and Lord. And it is following his will and walking as he walks.

In 1 John chapter 2. He says, But this person has come to be where he is because he is born of God. And whoever loves the Father, which is a part of being born of God, loves the child born of him. So an outgrowth of that is love for your fellow brothers. By this we know that we love the children of God when we love God and observe his commandments. Boy, that sounds a lot like Deuteronomy. For this is the love of God that we keep his commandments. And his commandments are not burdensome. For whatever is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world. Our faith. Born of God overcomes the world. Born of God has to do with our faith.

Salvation by grace through faith. Ephesians 2, 8 and 9. And who is the one who overcomes the world, but he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God. This is the one who came by water and blood, Jesus Christ, not with the water only, but with the water and the blood. Whatever we’re going to say about salvation must include something about the idea of being born of God. Go back earlier in 1 John chapter 3 in verse 9, where he describes this even further. This is not the first time he’s mentioned this concept. Actually, in verse 8, he says that the one who practices sin is of the devil. For the devil has sinned from the beginning. But in verse 9 he says, no one who is born of God practices.

Because his seed abides in him. He’s the offspring of God. His seed abides in him is the idea. And he cannot sin because he is born of God. By this the children of God and the children of the devil are obvious. Anyone who does not practice righteousness is not of God, nor the one who does not love his brother. So we’re given some really good insight here as to what it means to be born of God. The one who is born of God practices righteousness.

When he spoke earlier, I’m writing these things that you may not sin. Because the one who is born of God does not sin. He says, but if anyone sins, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous. So 1 John 2 1 and 2 says, all is not over. You’re signed, sealed, and delivered for hell if you commit a sin. So what are these passages saying in 1 John chapter 5 and in 1 John chapter 3? It is simply saying that because we are born of God, sin is not our practice. Sin is not our lifestyle. Sin is not our habit. It is an exception to the rule. Earlier in 1 John 3. Here’s the person who is born of God. Everyone who has this hope fixed on him, Jesus, purifies himself.

It doesn’t simply say that you were purified at some point in the past when you became born of God. It’s an ongoing process because we have our hope fixed on him. He says, everyone who has this hope fixed on him purifies himself just as he is pure. And he goes on to say in verse 6, no one who abides in him sins. No one who sins has seen him or knows him. It is not consistent with abiding in him to continue in the practice of sin. That’s the point in 1 John. Born of God. If we’re saved, that’s what we are. This is a phrase that is thrown around in the religious world and yet is so often misunderstood. So, whatever we’re going to say about grace through faith, being saved by grace through faith, it must include or involve this concept that John talks about at length of being born of God.

2. Born of the Spirit, the Water and the Word

Salvation is clearly described as rebirth. Remember the discussion that Jesus has with Nicodemus in John chapter 3? What does he say? Unless one is born again, he shall not see the kingdom of God. So whatever Paul is saying in Ephesians 2 about salvation by grace through faith, it is described by John, in 1 John, it is described by Jesus to Nicodemus as being born of God. Unless one is born of God, he cannot enter into the kingdom of heaven. And he goes on to say in John 3 and verse 5 that one must be born of both the water and the Spirit. Truly I say unto you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. So born of God involves both the Spirit and water.

Well, what does that mean exactly? Isn’t it interesting that later Paul, who made the statement in Ephesians 2, 8 and 9, says in Titus 3 and verse 5 that we are born again, how? By the washing of regeneration and the renewal of the Holy Spirit. So there is the role of the Holy Spirit in our salvation. There is the role of water in our salvation. And when Peter is describing salvation in 1 Peter chapter 1, it also mentions rebirth. 1 Peter chapter 1 and verse 3, he says, Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who, because of his great mercy, who, according to his great mercy, he has caused us, Peter says, to be born again to a living hope. Everyone who has this hope, we saw that in 1 John 3 and verse 3.

To a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead. On the basis of Jesus’ resurrection, we are baptized, and when we are baptized in water, we do what? We die to sin and rise to walk in newness of life. How do we know that works? How do you know that works when you’re baptized? How do you know that when you come up out of the water that you’re raised to be a new creature, that all your past sins are washed away? Because Jesus Christ was raised from the dead. That’s why.

When he says, and this is the faith part in the process, salvation by grace through faith, since you have in obedience to the truth, purified your souls. Okay, now there’s there’s some response on our part that’s necessary for us to receive soul purification, right? Since you have an obedience to the truth, purify your souls for a sincere love of the brethren. That’s what it’s unto. We see that in 1 John, right? We love the child that is born of him. So he says, fervently love one another from the heart. That’s an outgrowth of your conversion to the Lord, your rebirth into his kingdom, that you love one another. Fervently do that, he says. For you have been born again. This new life into which you’ve come that is now focused beyond yourself to others.

He says, You have been born again, not of seed, which is perishable. That really goes to the illustration that Scott read in John 12, where Jesus talks about the wheat dying first. It’s not a perishable seed like wheat that’s planted, but imperishable, that is through the living and abiding word of God. Now, so we’re begotten of God. We’re born of God, and the spirit and the water play a role in that rebirth. But here Peter says that we are begotten of the living and abiding word. The word has its effect in us in this rebirth. So what is this passage saying? Let me illustrate it for you. How are we born of the spirit and the water and the Word? This living and abiding word that instructs us in salvation is revealed to us how?

By the Holy Spirit. This is a product of the Holy Spirit. Paul talks about that at length in the New Testament. 1 Corinthians 2 would be one passage that we could cite. The Spirit revealed the deep things of God. And so the Spirit reveals the Word, and the Word instructs us to be baptized in water for the cleansing and remission of our sins. And so, depending on what perspective you’re looking at it, we are rebirthed or birthed into Christ by the Spirit, by the Word, and by the water. Christians are cleansed according to Ephesians 5 and verse 26 by the washing of water with the Word. Now, the Holy Spirit is not mentioned there, but we are the products of the Holy Spirit who gave us the word that instructs us to be baptized.

And I ran out of room on the slide, so I just crunched that in there. 1 Corinthians 12 and verse 13. For by one Spirit you are all baptized into one body. Now there’s something going on in that context in relation to unity among brothers, and how that’s supposed to work as God is unified as the spiritual gifts. We’re all a unity and purpose. But he talks about even our conversion, our coming into Christ, our rebirth, and he says, it’s by the Spirit that this happens. And so when you put all of these passages together with Ephesians 2, verses 8 and 9, you see that how salvation is by grace through faith. But I really want to focus this morning on the role of the Word in our salvation.

3. The Word Is to Have an Ongoing Effect

And I want to do that from one text that I want to look at with you briefly this morning in Colossians chapter 3. Because as we are born of the Spirit by the washing of water with the Word, Ephesians 5 and verse 26, the Word that causes us to be birthed into Christ is to have an ongoing effect in our lives. I’m not just concerned about salvation initially when one becomes a Christian, because what is the goal of all this morning, folks? It is about eternal salvation ultimately, isn’t it? What a horrible thing it would be if anyone in this audience this morning in earshot of my words, the saving words of the gospel, should be lost.

Even if you’re my enemy, to my knowledge, I don’t have any enemies in this group. Don’t become one please. But even if you were my enemy, I would not want that for you. I want every one of us. And every one of us is indeed capable of being saved eternally in the presence of God. But it’s not just about our initial rebirth, where we listen to the instruction of the scripture, our souls are purified in obedience to the truth, and so we are baptized as we are instructed, and our sins are washed away, and we rise to walk in newness of life. There is concern and warning and concern and warning all throughout the New Testament that believers continue in the process of purifying Himself just as He is pure, allowing this Word to have its full effect in our lives.

And so I want to read in Colossians chapter 3, verse 16, beginning.

Let the word of Christ, now remember, you were born of this word, your souls were purified in obedience to the truth. Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you. When we talk about how salvation is going to work, I want to tell you folks that phrase is key. That’s what Christianity is all about. Letting the Word of Christ richly dwell. Now I want you to go back to verse 12 and read the context. And so, as those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved. These are ones who are born of God. Put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience, bearing with one another, forgiving each other, whoever has a complaint against anyone. Just as the Lord forgave you, he’s the model of how forgiveness should work.

Just as the Lord forgave you, so also should you. Notice our salvation is unto an unfeigned love of the brethren. We read that in 1 Peter 2 and verse 22. We read that in 1 John chapter 5. If you’re born of God, you love the child born of him. And so that’s what this looks like. And then beyond all these things, put on love, which is the perfect bond of unity. And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body. 1 Corinthians 12 13, by one Spirit into one body. You were called into one body, and let me just throw this in. Be thankful.

Thankfulness in your hearts to God. And whatever you do in word or in deed to all in the name of the Lord Jesus. Let me throw this again. Giving thanks through him to God the Father. And if we look to the greater context of Colossians chapter 3, notice this. This is where all of this starts in Colossians 3. If then you were born of God, if then you have been raised up with Christ, keep seeking. Keep seeking the things above where Christ is. That’s how the word saves us. Colossians 3 clearly describes how salvation is going to work on the last day. The first thing he says in this context of the indwelling word in Colossians chapter 3, he says, so then, as he’s already admonished them in the previous verses to abstain from immorality, and he describes it at length in regard to the kinds of things we say, the kinds of passions that we have, and we have to reign in all of that, he says, and so, as those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved.

4. Chosen of God, Holy and Beloved

Look, here’s one thing you need to know about how salvation works. It’s a key component. You are the object of God’s affection. If anyone loves God, he is known by him. 1 Corinthians 8 and verse 3. Don’t ever forget that. Oh, he loves the whole world. John 3 and verse 16. But in a special way. Those who are chosen of him are loved by him. He responds to their requests. He disciplines them for their benefit. Our God has set his affections on us in a special way. Chosen.

I think it was on Friday morning, and they were having the contest. Together we make football contest. And apparently, people had to submit stories, and stories that in some way were connected with football, and if you were a finalist in this submission that you made in this contest, you would be brought to the today show, and then of the finalists, the winner would get an all expenses paid free trip to the Super Bowl. And so they shared some of these stories, and they had these five families at the today show on Friday, and they’re going to reveal the winner. And they’re all decked out in their respective gear from the markets, the teams that they are following that were in the playoffs. And so they’re all standing there, and the today hosts get together and they huddle and they’re talking, and then they surprise them all.

Everybody gets to go. Everybody gets a ticket to the Super Bowl. Oh, everybody was elated. They all had entered the contest. All five families get to go to the Super Bowl. They showed this one lady. She has tears streaming down her face. I guess this was just a lifelong dream. I don’t care if I ever go to the Super Bowl. Even if my team was playing it, and they’re not going to be. That’s another story. But she was tears were streaming down her face. They kept showing her, and I thought, wow, that’s it. That’s what I’m talking about. She was chosen. And that meant so much to her. She so longed to do that. If we could just appreciate how much more valuable it is, how much more exceedingly valuable it is to be chosen of God.

But do not miss the word holy. We have been set apart for his high and noble and special purposes. And that’s why we abstain from sexual immorality, Paul says in 1 Thessalonians chapter 4, and we possess our bodies in sanctification, not in lustful passion. He says in that context, because we have been set apart for this holy purpose. And I’ll tell you this once you’re born of God, the work isn’t done. That’s just the beginning.

5. You Still Have Some More Work to Do

By the way, that’s what Peter is saying in 1 Peter chapter 1. This process ongoing. Fervently love one another from the heart. Purify yourself as he is pure. And here in Colossians chapter 3, here are people who are in Christ, in the church at Colossae, and he says, you know what, you still have some more work to do. And it has to do with your heart. Seven things. Oh, isn’t it perfect that there’s seven things that flow out of this? As he says, you need to have compassion and kindness and humility and gentleness in your dealings with others. And you need to be patient with one another. And you need to be forbearing with one another and forgiving each other just as Christ has forgiven you.

Proper attitudes will not be a constant. I’ve lived it, I’ve experienced it. And will not be maintained without some effort. We can’t just say, well, there was this time way back in 1983 where I was compassionate to someone. It’s got to be an ongoing thing. These qualities have to be pursued. It’s not that you master these and all of a sudden say, well, I don’t think about that anymore. I got it down. There’ll be new circumstances and new people, and some will be harder to love and show compassion with than others. And you’re going to have to work to show these kinds of qualities that Christ has called us to display as his children, mimicking him. Do you think there’s some hard people for him to love?

I’m one of them. These qualities, they don’t just magically happen. You can’t rub them on like a salve. You’ve got to work at developing them. Thus he says, put on.

And all of those things are motivated by love. The love of Christ controls us, Paul says in 2 Corinthians 6 and verse 14. It’s all motivated out of I love God and want to do his bidding, and thus I love his people, and I’m going to try my best to help them to go to heaven. That’s what all of this is about. These seven qualities are essential to both unity and the nurturing of souls. And that’s really what the local church is all about. We should want to do whatever we are capable of in keeping each other vibrant and strong. Apparently, my friend D. Bowman has preached in Ohio recently. Either that or my friend who preaches up there at West Mason Scott Taylor, who’s also a Bengals fan, by the way.

Scott Taylor either has him for a meeting up there or he’s listening to his sermons online because he quoted D. This is a great quote. D said, What happens when people have conviction and no mercy? We fight, we scrap, we war, we accuse, we assign motives, we designate sides, we recruit constituents and we split and split and split, and then we split the splits. I think that’s a good summary.

In fact, I’ve seen way too much of that and not enough of this.

6. Let the Word of Christ Richly Dwell in You

The assurance that God is in control. The peace of God that surpasses all comprehension, guarding our minds in Christ Jesus, Philippians chapter 4 and verse 7. I am on sound footing with God by His grace. And that extends to my desire to be at peace with others as much as lies within me. Let that peace rule in your heart. And by the way, three times. Be thankful. And he says in verse 17, what that means is that every word and every deed in my life is measured. Doing all in the name of the Lord Jesus, on the basis of who he is and where he is right now, seated at the right hand of the Majesty on high, the fact that he’s going to be our judge, that he is Savior, King, and Lord, because of all that he is, and the fact that I’m one of his, I’m seeking his things.

And thus that means I think about every word, every thought, every deed, and I measure that in relation to his will for me. Now, this is what born of God looks like. But I want to go back to the heart of that in verse 16, where he says, Let the word of Christ richly dwell in you. As we’re born of the word, the word is to govern who we are and what we’re about. And he says, let it richly dwell. When the word is in control of how I think and how I live, that’s a rich experience. And it produces the kind of character change, the soul-saving, life-altering effect that God intended. And thus it’s described as rich. Let the word of God have its effect in your heart and in your life.

Conclusion

That’s how salvation works. And that’s why I have Jesse leading the invitation song. Let him have his way with you, because that describes this. The chorus proclaims his power can make you what you ought to be. His blood can cleanse your heart and make you free. His love can fill your soul, and you will see twas best. For him to have his way with thee. Would you in his kingdom find a place of constant rest? Would you prove in true each providential test? Would you in his service labor always at your best? Let him have his way with thee. That’s how salvation works. I saw this on Facebook this week. Sort of coincides with what we’ve been talking about. Our lives as we exhibit these qualities, your life as a Christian should make non-believers question their disbelief in God.

But I gotta tell you, it won’t with some.

As they see your changed life. And while it may not affect everyone, or as many people as we like as we would like, if you let the word richly dwell in you, it will affect some. And so I want to conclude with this admonition. Live the life that you were created to live. To the glory of God, born of Him. An active participant in the greatest cause on earth. And a life that is intently aimed at heaven. Can we assist you in the journey towards such a life? And in the journey to heaven. If you’re subject to the invitation of the gospel, won’t you come now as we stand and sing together?