May 22nd 2016
There Is Only One Plan Of Salvation, And It Is NOT Your Plan!
Romans 8:28-29 (NIV)
And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers.
Many Christians I’ve known do not like to believe they have been called by Jesus, they prefer to think they chose to become a Christian, by their own volition. What about you, do you like the idea of having a “calling” into Christianity? It is true; you must make a personal commitment to follow Jesus, before you can actually be a Christian! In the selected verses it even uses that phrase, “For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his Son.” Some people read this as though God chose you, not that you chose God.
This is not how I read these verses as being predestination without your approval or acceptance, but instead the predestination is God’s offer of the plan of salvation for everyone to select or reject. There is no other salvation plan to choose that is real! All other purported salvation plans are merely ruses actually being offered by Satan. Some reading this will now be appalled by my demonization of all other worldly religions! However, when Jesus walked this earth and taught His disciples He never left any doubt about His understanding about other ways of salvation. When Jesus said, He who is not with me is against me, and he who does not gather with me, scatters. (Luke 11:23) There is no grey area about salvation, it is only through Jesus.
Do not become confused about your choices for how your immortal soul can be saved, and thus, spend eternity with Jesus in heaven. No matter how good you may think you are your goodness cannot save you. Even if you are better than every other member of mankind, your goodness cannot save you! In the selected verses it states, “For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his Son.” Therefore, every member of mankind has the right and is predestined to be able to become like the Son of God. This is the offer of grace made by God through Jesus, and is the only valid plan of salvation.
In the story of the prodigal son we see how we can become jealous or disappointed about someone who would accept the offer of grace after living in sin for a long time. We have been taught that such a person will go to heaven just like those who have led a faithful life for many years. It does not seem fair that they end up with the same reward, or that they also gain heaven! "‘My son,’ the father said, ‘you are always with me, and everything I have is yours. But we had to celebrate and be glad, because this brother of yours was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’" (Luke 15:31-32) Our reward started immediately when we accepted the grace or gift of salvation, but the person who lived in sin for years did not have the joy of knowing and living through Jesus for all our years of faith!
Peter wrote about how Jesus took your sins upon Himself when He died on that cross for you. He personally carried our sins in his body on the cross so that we can be dead to sin and live for what is right. By his wounds you are healed. (1 Peter 2:24, NLT) When you accepted the grace earned by Jesus’ suffering and death in your place, then you can be relieved because you know your salvation was assured, even before you were born into this world. The pain and suffering Jesus endured caused your immortal soul to be healed, as it says, “By his wounds you are healed.”
In the Old Testament most of God’s help is directed to His chosen people the Israelites, but it is nice to know that God did not forget all other members of mankind. And now the LORD says—he who formed me in the womb to be his servant to bring Jacob back to him and gather Israel to himself, for I am honored in the eyes of the LORD and my God has been my strength—he says: "It is too small a thing for you to be my servant to restore the tribes of Jacob and bring back those of Israel I have kept. I will also make you a light for the Gentiles, that you may bring my salvation to the ends of the earth." (Isaiah 49:5-6)
Isaiah 49 verse 6 is sometimes referred to as “The great commission of the Old Testament.” It is nice to see that God never lost sight of the Gentiles even when He spoke to the Israelites as his chosen people. Notice where it states, “I will also make you a light for the Gentiles, that you may bring my salvation to the ends of the earth." Most of us reading this would have been considered by God, and the Israelites, as Gentiles at that time in history.
There is only one God, and likewise there is only one salvation plan. Turn to me and be saved, all you ends of the earth; for I am God, and there is no other. (Isaiah 45:22) As most of us know and believe God created mankind as a special creation, and set us apart from all of the other creatures He created, and put us in charge of maintaining this earth. God also endowed us with an immortal soul which allows all of us to be capable of continuing to live even when we die. God also offers to all of mankind the option to accept His offer of salvation through His Son. Have you availed yourself of this wonderful option to live with Jesus when you die? Do not wait, as tomorrow is guaranteed to no one!
Your brother in life through Adam, your brother in eternity through Jesus,
Bob Moak
Romans 8:28-29 (NIV)
And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers.
Many Christians I’ve known do not like to believe they have been called by Jesus, they prefer to think they chose to become a Christian, by their own volition. What about you, do you like the idea of having a “calling” into Christianity? It is true; you must make a personal commitment to follow Jesus, before you can actually be a Christian! In the selected verses it even uses that phrase, “For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his Son.” Some people read this as though God chose you, not that you chose God.
This is not how I read these verses as being predestination without your approval or acceptance, but instead the predestination is God’s offer of the plan of salvation for everyone to select or reject. There is no other salvation plan to choose that is real! All other purported salvation plans are merely ruses actually being offered by Satan. Some reading this will now be appalled by my demonization of all other worldly religions! However, when Jesus walked this earth and taught His disciples He never left any doubt about His understanding about other ways of salvation. When Jesus said, He who is not with me is against me, and he who does not gather with me, scatters. (Luke 11:23) There is no grey area about salvation, it is only through Jesus.
Do not become confused about your choices for how your immortal soul can be saved, and thus, spend eternity with Jesus in heaven. No matter how good you may think you are your goodness cannot save you. Even if you are better than every other member of mankind, your goodness cannot save you! In the selected verses it states, “For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his Son.” Therefore, every member of mankind has the right and is predestined to be able to become like the Son of God. This is the offer of grace made by God through Jesus, and is the only valid plan of salvation.
In the story of the prodigal son we see how we can become jealous or disappointed about someone who would accept the offer of grace after living in sin for a long time. We have been taught that such a person will go to heaven just like those who have led a faithful life for many years. It does not seem fair that they end up with the same reward, or that they also gain heaven! "‘My son,’ the father said, ‘you are always with me, and everything I have is yours. But we had to celebrate and be glad, because this brother of yours was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found.’" (Luke 15:31-32) Our reward started immediately when we accepted the grace or gift of salvation, but the person who lived in sin for years did not have the joy of knowing and living through Jesus for all our years of faith!
Peter wrote about how Jesus took your sins upon Himself when He died on that cross for you. He personally carried our sins in his body on the cross so that we can be dead to sin and live for what is right. By his wounds you are healed. (1 Peter 2:24, NLT) When you accepted the grace earned by Jesus’ suffering and death in your place, then you can be relieved because you know your salvation was assured, even before you were born into this world. The pain and suffering Jesus endured caused your immortal soul to be healed, as it says, “By his wounds you are healed.”
In the Old Testament most of God’s help is directed to His chosen people the Israelites, but it is nice to know that God did not forget all other members of mankind. And now the LORD says—he who formed me in the womb to be his servant to bring Jacob back to him and gather Israel to himself, for I am honored in the eyes of the LORD and my God has been my strength—he says: "It is too small a thing for you to be my servant to restore the tribes of Jacob and bring back those of Israel I have kept. I will also make you a light for the Gentiles, that you may bring my salvation to the ends of the earth." (Isaiah 49:5-6)
Isaiah 49 verse 6 is sometimes referred to as “The great commission of the Old Testament.” It is nice to see that God never lost sight of the Gentiles even when He spoke to the Israelites as his chosen people. Notice where it states, “I will also make you a light for the Gentiles, that you may bring my salvation to the ends of the earth." Most of us reading this would have been considered by God, and the Israelites, as Gentiles at that time in history.
There is only one God, and likewise there is only one salvation plan. Turn to me and be saved, all you ends of the earth; for I am God, and there is no other. (Isaiah 45:22) As most of us know and believe God created mankind as a special creation, and set us apart from all of the other creatures He created, and put us in charge of maintaining this earth. God also endowed us with an immortal soul which allows all of us to be capable of continuing to live even when we die. God also offers to all of mankind the option to accept His offer of salvation through His Son. Have you availed yourself of this wonderful option to live with Jesus when you die? Do not wait, as tomorrow is guaranteed to no one!
Your brother in life through Adam, your brother in eternity through Jesus,
Bob Moak
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