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By God's grace, still presenting the same old message from the same old Book...

A start is recognizing our faith originates and stands by the power of God, and not by the wisdom of men (1Cor 2:5; Eph 5:8-9; Gal 3:2-3). I’ve said it previous, faith is an effect of which regeneration is the cause. We hear and believe, not that our believing is instrumental, we are under grace and not a judicial system of reward. Our believing is a result of the specific and particular decree of God, our having been chosen in Christ. We have no merit at all. We are saved from sin, and were the children of wrath even as others. Our faith is not a result of the strength of men but is according to the operation of God, and our faith does not stand in the strength of men.

Also a look at 1 John (the whole book) is a help especially as being sure of salvation is essential for joy (Neh 8:10).

1 John 1:4 (KJV) And these things write we unto you, that your joy may be full.

My answer might not be assuring to one that saw their faith as being the instrumental cause of their salvation. With the one system, man is the one that determines the identity of those to be saved, and with the other system, God in His Solitariness alone determines the identity of those to be saved, that the purpose of God according to election might stand, not of works, but of him that calleth. That aside, our understanding such things is not essential to our salvation. 

A New And Living Way

Have you heard of any that went astray, and later came back? I have. Have you been there in the end, and seen what was in their heart? I have not been able to see their heart. I know the natural condition of the heart, and I know that heart is not changed when the new heart is given. That is reason for the trouble described in Romans 7:14-25. 

Actually, it is not left with me if a man be saved or not, and that is something I do not intend to pretend is up to me. Certainly there are those that evidence is not shown, and I must say, if any names the name of Christ, let him depart from iniquity. But I also know, David a man after God's own heart certainly did not always walk the walk of faith. That is no excuse for sinning, not at all, but is encouragement for the one that has left his first love, to know there is a place for him, when he would come to himself, wanting to come back. If it is the first love, then it is forever, for one is kept by the power of God. 

There are some that promote the notion that should a man fall in sin after they are saved, they are lost. That is not what the Bible teaches. I am not able to see in a man's heart, and I am happy at that, for if they were not saved, I would not want to know. But by a charitable judgment, I trust that one has been saved, based on evidence, and I know at times the evidence is not visible.

As many as believe are sealed with the Holy Spirit. This is not evidenced by outward manifestation but simply means Christ abides in you, the hope of glory (Romans 8:9, 11-14; Galatians 4:6; Ephesians 1:13). The believer is in Christ, and Christ is in the believer (John 15:6; 17:23; Romans 8:10-11; 1 Corinthians 1:30; Ephesians 3:17; Philippians 3:9; John 6:44, 53-56; 65). If any man have not the Spirit of Christ in them, he is none of His.

Believers are kept by the power of God and unlike at the first when by our will we choose to turn away, now we are sealed, and to will is present with us that we desire the things of God. As for our condition before salvation, we are told, salvation, …is not of him that willeth, nor of him that runneth, but of God that sheweth mercy. (Romans 9:16) After salvation we love Him, because He first loved us. As it is written, That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. (Romans 10:9-10) This is not a forced love and certainly is not an insincere love.

When one is saved, they are in a new and living way (Heb 10:20). Having been born of God, we have eternal life. Salvation is certain because one currently has faith, and not because one believed in the past. If one would no longer believe, that indicates they had never been saved. Faith is accompanied by evidence and the Holy Ghost dwelling within. 

John 10:28 (KJV) And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.

1 John 5:13 (KJV) These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may know that ye have eternal life, and that ye may believe on the name of the Son of God.

1 John 5:20 (KJV) And we know that the Son of God is come, and hath given us an understanding, that we may know him that is true, and we are in him that is true, even in his Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God, and eternal life.

Romans 8:9 (KJV) But ye are not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, if so be that the Spirit of God dwell in you. Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is none of his.
10 And if Christ be in you, the body is dead because of sin; but the Spirit is life because of righteousness.
11 But if the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, he that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by his Spirit that dwelleth in you. 

Romans 8:16 (KJV) The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:

One can know they are saved, and knowing one is saved, there is the comfort of the Scriptures.

1 Peter 1:3 (KJV) Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which according to his abundant mercy hath begotten us again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 
4 To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you,

Coming To Christ: By Grace

There has never been a man saved, that did not want to be saved (Ps 110:3), salvation containing all the aspects described in the Bible, and not simply missing hell. Man must be born again, and election is the efficient cause of regeneration. We are saved by the power of God. 

Further, there has never been a man that was saved apart from grace, and there never will be. If it is grace it is no more judicial, and if it is judicial it is no more grace. Man certainly will believe, and that granted us on behalf of Christ, for by him we believe. 

Faith is of the operation of God, believing on behalf of Christ, for by Him do you believe in God. (1Thess 1:3; 2Thess 1:11; John 6:29).

...it is given on behalf of Christ...to believe on him...

Philippians 1:29 (KJV) For unto you it is given in the behalf of Christ, not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for his sake;

Who by him do believe in God....

1 Peter 1:21 (KJV) Who by him do believe in God, that raised him up from the dead, and gave him glory; that your faith and hope might be in God.

Before regeneration man is at enmity towards God. Election is the efficient cause of regeneration and faith is the response of regeneration. Faith is of man is the error proclaimed by the one side; as opposed to faith is of God, as the Bible says, faith of the operation of God (Col 2:12).

Ephesians 2:8 (KJV) For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:

Grace or Works?

Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, for apart from such faith, a man shall surely perish. Nevertheless, some make it out as if men were under a judicial system, and not under grace. As they would say, God has done His part, now the deciding factor is if man will do his part. That is not grace, but is instead judicial. Grace, not works. We are under grace, and not under a judicial system, that the purpose of God according to election might stand, not of works, but of him that calleth. Even our faith is a work, according to the Scriptures (John 6:29; 1Thess 1:3; 2Thess 1:11). For by grace are ye saved through faith...not of works.

Jesus saves!

Grace, God’s Grace

Who by him do believe in God...

1 Peter 1:21 (KJV) Who by him do believe in God, that raised him up from the dead, and gave him glory; that your faith and hope might be in God.

...the faith of the operation of God...

Colossians 2:12 (KJV) Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead.

...the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers...

Colossians 1:12 (KJV) Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light:

This is the work of God, that ye believe...

John 6:29 (KJV) Jesus answered and said unto them, This is the work of God, that ye believe on him whom he hath sent.

...your work of faith...

1 Thessalonians 1:3 (KJV) Remembering without ceasing your work of faith, and labour of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ, in the sight of God and our Father;

...work of faith...

2 Thessalonians 1:11 (KJV) Wherefore also we pray always for you, that our God would count you worthy of this calling, and fulfil all the good pleasure of his goodness, and the work of faith with power:

...faith, if it hath not works, is dead...

James 2:17 (KJV) Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.

...faith without works is dead...

James 2:20 (KJV) But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?

...faith without works is dead...

James 2:26 (KJV) For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.

For by grace are ye saved through faith, that not of yourselves...

Ephesians 2:8 (KJV) For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:

Not of works...

Ephesians 2:9 (KJV) Not of works, lest any man should boast.

But the fruit of the Spirit is...faith...

Galatians 5:22 (KJV) But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, 
23 Meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.

Jesus saves!

In the day of Thy Power

Psalms 110:3 (KJV) Thy people shall be willing in the day of thy power, in the beauties of holiness from the womb of the morning: thou hast the dew of thy youth.

A messianic prophesy concerning Jesus, and it speaks of the response of His people, those chosen before the foundation of the earth, those the Father gave Him and none of them is lost, their being willing in the day of His power. Before that they were at enmity towards God (Rom 8:5,7; 3:10-18). His people, the sheep, (not the goats) shall be willing in the day of His power. That is a precious truth. Those that are chosen hear (John 10:16), made willing (Ps 110:3; Joh 6:29,44-45; Ac 13:48; Ro 1:16; 1Th 1:5; 1Co 1:18; Ac 13:48). By His power we are saved, and by His power we are kept (Ac 11:18; Ro 16:25; 1Pe 1:5). As it is written, ye must be born again (Joh 3:7; 1Pe 1:2; 2Th 2:13; 1Jo 5:1,4). 

—In the day of thy power. This refers in a general way to the gospel dispensation, and in particular to the period of conversion. To the perishing sinner the gospel comes, "not in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Ghost, and in much assurance." It is an arresting power; it meets the sinner, and stays his mad career, as in the case of Saul of Tarsus. It is a convincing power, it teaches the sinner that he is ruined in every respect, and leads him to cry out, "What shall I do to be saved?" ... It is a life giving power; it quickens dead souls, and will eventually bring the dead bodies from their graves; "all that are in the graves shall hear the voice of the Son of God and shall live." This is the style of Jehovah, "it will, they shall"; none other dare speak thus. It is also liberating power; "if the Son shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed." —Theophilus Jones, in a Sermon preached at Surrey Chapel, 1823, copied from The Treasury of David. 

Bible Study Letters

A message of comfort from the Scriptures,
that we through patience and comfort
of the scriptures might have hope.

Come and hear, all ye that fear God,
and I will declare what he hath done for my soul.
Psalms 66:16

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