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Salvation Part 3 - Faith Not Feelings 1Jo 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us [our] sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
Coming into right standing with God (righteousness) is a matter of confessing our sins and accepting His forgiveness. The bible calls this an act of Faith. Faith is believing in something we have not yet seen. It is not always apparent to us that we are forgiven or that we are guiltless in His sight. Sometimes it may seem quite the opposite. We feel guilty because of things that we do that do not please God. Scripture tells us that we are not to rely on our feelings, but upon the words of God.
Justified by Faith We are justified by Jesus sacrifice upon the cross. His payment for our sins. There is no other way we can be justified. Gal 2:16 Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified. Rom 5:1 Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: Many a man and woman, would like to earn their entrance into heaven or into favor with God. This is impossible. We receive good standing with God ONLY by believing.
Stand secure in the salvation that is yours! Don't listen when feelings and others tell you that you are not a child of God. You most certainly are. And that is a free gift that is priceless!
A Stumbling Block To many this becomes a big hindrance to their obtaining forgiveness for sins. We have been told all our lives, that in order to achieve, we must work. We must earn what's coming to us. That is not true in the case of Salvation. An illustration I like to use is that of a parent and and adopted child. When a child is adopted, it has nothing to do but to take on the name of the new family. The parents pay the price and make a home for it. As the child gets older, does it loose standing in the home by disobedience? No, certainly not. Your child is still your child whether they are disobedient or obedient. You love them just as much. No matter how rocky things get, a child will always remain your child. Our children rest secure in that comforting assurance. So must we also rest secure in the comforting assurance that we will remain children of God once we have been adopted into his family.
Stand secure in the salvation that is yours! Don't listen when feelings and others tell you that you are not a child of God. You most certainly are. And that is a free gift that is priceless!
Part 4 in this study of Salvation talks about our response to God's forgiving love. |
