The True Salvation

The True Salvation

“and she will bring forth a Son, and you will call His Name Jesus,
for He will save His people from their sins”
Matthew 1:21

The true salvation that is to be ours in Christ extends far beyond the wonder of the forgiveness of our sins. He has come, and is even now at work, to free us from our sins.

In my own personal experience, as an alcoholic, a drug dealer, and an addict, His visitation to me in my own bedroom resulted in immediate freedom from drugs and alcohol. My cursing and foul language were transformed in an instant. I cannot describe the joy and the freedom of that moment.

However, other aspects of my life required deep workings of Him (and still do). Anger, resentment, lusts, and vain imaginations require His indwelling power to lift me out of my own corruption and keep me focused upon Him who is my salvation. While these lingering issues of self have been a source of grief and disappointment, they have also been instrumental in my recognition of the necessity to abide in Him for the victory.

His life within presses us to abhor any compromise with sin. He has come and more importantly is come, to bring full deliverance. Only a false gospel teaches something less than a full ministration of His power within.

“And from this He is able to save to the end completely the ones drawing near to God through Him, forever living to intercede on their behalf”
Hebrews 7:25 (LITV)

The true salvation of Christ can only be known as we abide in Him who is the Way, the Truth, and the Life. There are many who claim to abide in Christ, but let us consider what the Word testifies of those who truly do.

“The one claiming to rest (abide KJV) in Him
ought so to walk himself as that One walked”
1 John 2:6
(Parenthetical addition mine)

And again:

“And you know that that One was revealed that He might take away our sins, and sin is not in Him. Everyone remaining (abiding KJV) in Him does not sin. Everyone sinning has not seen Him, nor known Him. Little children, let no one lead you astray; the one practicing righteousness is righteous, even as that One is righteous.”
1 John 3:5-7
(Parenthetical addition my own)

There are multiple aspects of truth to be appropriated from the above scriptures, some beyond the scope of this writing, but there are a few things to be emphasized. The first is that the purpose of the ONE coming, the only ONE who is able, was revealed in order to “take away our sins”. He did not come to forgive us and leave us in our sins, torments, and anguish. He came to make us free so that we may walk in the wonder and the power of His liberating life.

The second powerful truth is “Whosoever abideth in him sinneth not…(KJV)”. SELAH! Pause and let the power of this Word penetrate our hearts. Let the living faith of Christ arise within to such a degree that whatever sin, whatever fear, and whatever trial we face, will be met with the declaration that “greater is HE that is in ME!!!”

In my own experience I have often declared, and continue to declare, to the enemies of my heart:

“Rejoice not against me, O mine enemy: when I fall, I shall arise; when I sit in darkness, the Lord shall be a light unto me”
Micah 7:8

The faith of God moving within will not allow us to compromise with sin. The indomitable power of Christ will press us through every battle, pick us up from our failures, and set our feet upon the Rock of our salvation to valiantly contend with every foe.

Why is our victory secured? Why do we not linger in defeat and discouragement? God has declared to us the secret of victory: Christ Jesus our Lord.

“Not by might, nor by power,
but by my spirit, saith the Lord of hosts”
Zechariah 4:6

The faith of those who rest in mere words of the covenant, or who are satisfied with something other than victory, will never know the power of God. Victory is for those who truly believe in the power and the surety of God’s Word and Person. If one does not believe in the power of the Word of God, one cannot say in truth they believe in the ONE who spoke that Word.

The third truth to further establish this promise from God is His declaration to us:

“Little children, let no one lead you astray (deceive you KJV); the one practicing righteousness is righteous”

Let us not be deceived by those who would declare a gospel of compromise and acceptance of sins and waywardness. Let us not listen to those who speak the words of God yet live something contrary. Those who are walking and growing in true godliness reveal His power in their daily lives. Note the word “practicing”; a continual expression.

“Having a form of godliness,
but denying the power thereof: from such turn away”
2 Timothy 3:5

In order that his faith remains living and purifying, Paul warned Timothy to avoid those who may appear godly yet deny the power that is to be evident in their lives.

“Let no one deceive you”!

Deception is anything that deprives you of living and growing into the fulness of all that is yours in Christ Jesus.

The seven letters to the Church in the Book of Revelation declare two very specific things.

“I know your works”
Revelation 2:2,9,13,19; 3:1,8,15

1. He knows their works and based on those works, each letter to each location of the church reveals His prescription for their error. The faith of each was revealed in the works it produced. Faith and unbelief are both revealed by the works produced. Those who believe not (though they may declare truth) will reveal their unbelief by how they live. Those in whom faith is a living reality reveal His life by their tenacity to pursue the victory He has promised.

“To him that overcometh… will I give”
Revelation 2:7,11,17,26; 3:5,12,21

2. The precious promises of God were given only to those who overcame. It is our victories in Him that release the fulfillment of His promises. May we comprehend that our victory is not in words, but in truth and in deed just as He overcame.

“The one overcoming, I will give to him to sit with Me in My throne, as I also overcame and sat with My Father in His throne. The one who has an ear, hear what the Spirit says to the assemblies.”
Revelation 3:21-22

†

“Let every one that nameth the name of Christ
depart from iniquity”
2 Timothy 2:19

Related Post: The Lord is our Strength

Brian Troxel