How does God actually save sinners? by Gary Shepard

"God hath saved us, and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began. But is now made manifest by the appearing of our Saviour Jesus Christ, who hath abolished death, and hath brought life and immortality to light through the gospel." (II Tim. 1:9, 10).

God sets forth for us in two verses of scripture how He saves sinners from their sins. You may think it is another way and preachers may preach differently, but be sure of it, this is the way God says He saves!

He saves first of all by a predetermined purpose. All that God does He does on purpose. It is "his own purpose." Past tense and positively! So wise and powerful is God that His purpose cannot fail. It is a purpose of grace wherein He has purposed to save all His people by the gift of His grace and not their works. "But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness." (Rom. 4:5) The saving purpose of God is an unchanging and eternal purpose without any contingency plans for God will do all His pleasure.
Secondly, God saves by a preordained person. Paul tells us that God's purpose of grace and gift of salvation was "given us in Christ Jesus." Grace and truth came by Jesus Christ. God saves no one outside of His son because He has placed everything in His Son. This is what He says, "And this is the record, that God hath given unto us eternal life and this life is in his son." (I John 5:11) Christ was the Surety of God's people before the world was and in time was born into this world that He might as a man die as a substitute before divine justice on behalf of them. He alone is the singular substitutionary, sacrificial and successful Saviour! He abolished death for those who believe on Him. "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ an thou shalt be saved."

God saves sinners by a particular proclamation. His salvation is revealed by the Holy Spirit through the preaching of the gospel. Life and immortality are brought to light through the gospel Paul says. Not preaching about the gospel but preaching the gospel which is Christ and Him crucified. What God's word says about Him and what He's done. Christ is God in human flesh successfully obtaining eternal redemption for everyone of God's elect. No other message but this particular and distinctive gospel will do. The glory of God is revealed in the face of Jesus Christ as He is revealed in the gospel. (II Cor. 3:7) God's salvation is in a person, His Son.
God also saves by a perpetual power. It is by a "holy calling." This calling is by the eternal Holy Spirit of God. It is a heart call. By this life-giving eternal power and call the people of God are effectually and irresistibly called out of death and darkness to life and light in Christ. His sheep hear His voice and they follow Him. They are "drawn" to Christ (John 6:44) and are kept by the power of God through faith.

Lastly, God saves a pitiful people. They are sinners. Who else would need saving? Christ died for the ungodly! He came into the world to save sinners. Few consider themselves to be real sinners against God. These that God saves are said to be "dead in trespasses and sins" and even their best works are like filthy rags. Pitiful they are but God has determined to save them to the praise of the glory of His grace.
God gets to Himself all the glory in the way He saves. All who are ever saved from sin and judgment are saved by God alone and all who are saved by God are saved this way! Are you saved by God or are you trying to save yourself? Awake to the fact that you cannot by your works or your religion save yourself and then seek in God's word to find out how He saves.

posted by Eric Wilson @ 1:05 PM