THE MIRACLE OF SALVATION!!

THE MIRACLE OF SALVATION

The gospel is “…the POWER of God unto salvation to everyone that believeth (accepts or depends upon his invitation)…” (Romans 1:16 KJV).  “… [The] Good News about Christ. It is the power of God at work, saving everyone who believes…” (Romans 1:16 NLT).

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The MIRACLE of SALVATION is that God, through Jesus Christ, miraculously DELIVERS us from the dominion of SIN.

“…The trouble is with me, for I am all too human, a slave to sin. I don’t really understand myself, for I want to do what is right, but I don’t do it. Instead, I do what I hate. So I am not the one doing wrong; it is sin living in me that does it.  And I know that nothing good lives in me, that is, in my sinful nature. I want to do what is right, but I can’t. I want to do what is good, but I don’t. …I [am] …a slave to the sin …” (Romans 7:14-25 NLT).

SIN is graveyard for those who are slaves to its POWER, because they are in permanent bondage to the evil one. “…The trouble is with me, for I am … a slave to sin…” (Romans 7:14-25 NLT). “… We know … that the whole world lies under the power of the evil one” (1 John 5:19 RSV).

In the graveyard of SIN; people may be physically alive, but they spiritually dead and heading for eternal death as well. “…the wages of sin is death…” (Romans 6:23 KJV). “…and SIN, when it is finished, BRINGETH FORTH DEATH…” (James 1:13-15 NLT). “…All have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God…” (Romans 3:23).

SIN is violation of God’s Holy instructions or guidelines (big or small). “…Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth also the law (God’s instructions, guidelines): for sin is the transgression of the law (God’s instructions; guidelines)….” (1 John 3:4 KJV). “…Everyone who sins is breaking God’s [holy instructions or guidelines], for all sin is contrary to the [guidelines] of God….” (1 John 3:4 NLT).

Sin is not about people’s opinion of what you are doing, or their judgement of you, or their negative treatment of you, or people’s acceptance of your sinful lifestyle, or your own acceptance of your sinful lifestyle; it is about your personal violation of God’s Holy instructions or guidelines. “…Have mercy upon me, O God, according to thy lovingkindness: according unto the multitude of thy tender mercies BLOT OUT “MY” TRANSGRESSIONS (sin). WASH ME THROUGHLY FROM “MINE” INIQUITY (sin), and CLEANSE ME FROM “MY SIN.” For I acknowledge my TRANSGRESSIONS (sins): and “MY SIN” is ever before me. AGAINST THEE (God), THEE ONLY, HAVE “I SINNED” AND DONE THIS EVIL IN THY SIGHT…” (Psalms 51:1-4 KJV).

When you are in your parent’s home or your children are in your home, normally you or they have instructions or guidelines for “that” home.

The WORLD belongs to God and while you are LIVING in his home he has instructions and guidelines for “HIS” home. “…The earth is the Lord's, and the fulness thereof; the world, and they that dwell therein…” (Psalm 24:1 KJV). “…for the world is mine, and the fulness thereof…” (Psalm 50:12 KJV). “…for all that is in the heaven and in the earth is thine…” (1 Chronicles 29:11 KJV).

God INFORMS everyone that there will be consequences for NOT following the instructions and guidelines in his HOME. "… [You] will go away to eternal punishment…" (Matthew 25:46 NIV).  “…the wages of sin is death…” (Romans 6:23 KJV).

Choosing to follow God’s instructions or guidelines is a personal CHOICE and no one will be FORCED to do them. “… I have set before you LIFE and death, blessing and cursing: therefore choose LIFE, that… [you]… may LIVE…” (Deuteronomy 30:19 KJV). “…Choose you this day whom ye will serve….” (Joshua 24:15 KJV).

Many, not even God’s OWN people listen to him. “…The Lord said to Moses, “How long will these people treat me [in my OWN HOME (world)] with contempt (disrespect)?” (Daniel 14:11 NIV). “…my people would not listen to me. They kept doing whatever they wanted, following the stubborn desires of their evil hearts. They went backward instead of forward” (Jeremiah 7:24 NLT). “…the people replied, “Don’t waste your breath. We will continue to live as we want to, stubbornly following our own evil desires” (JEREMIAH 18:12 NLT).

Some people believe God is just talking, because so many people are doing whatever they want to do and “THINK” they are getting away with it. They don’t recognize his mercy. God is not giving sinners permission to continue to SIN, but a merciful opportunity to get it RIGHT with HIM and turn your heart toward Him by following his instructions or guidelines. “…Because sentence against an evil work is not executed speedily (God’s MERCY) …the HEART of the sons of men is fully set in them [unrepentant]… to do evil….” (Ecclesiastes 8:11 KJV).

Eventually, they will have to face eternal judgement. There will be a TIME for physical death and a TIME for spiritual death. “…For the vision [is] yet FOR AN APPOINTED TIME, but at the end it shall speak, and not lie: though it tarry, WAIT FOR IT; because IT WILL SURELY COME, it will not tarry….” (Habakkuk 2:3 KJV). “…And in the PROCESS of TIME “IT” CAME TO PASS…” (Genesis 4:3 KJV).

“If a man die, shall he live again? all the days of my appointed time will I wait, till my CHANGE come…” (Job 14:14 KJV). “…Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither doth corruption inherit incorruption. Behold, I shew you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be CHANGED, In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be CHANGED.  For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory…” (1 Corinthians 15:51-54 KJV). “…What I am saying, dear brothers and sisters, is that our physical bodies cannot inherit the Kingdom of God. These dying bodies cannot inherit what will last forever. But let me reveal to you a wonderful secret. We will not all die, but we will all be transformed! It will happen in a moment, in the blink of an eye, when the last trumpet is blown. For when the trumpet sounds, those who have died will be raised to live forever. And we who are living will also be transformed. For our dying bodies must be transformed into bodies that will never die; our mortal bodies must be transformed into immortal bodies. Then, when our dying bodies have been transformed into bodies that will never die, this Scripture will be fulfilled: “Death is swallowed up in victory…” (1 Corinthians 15:50-54 NLT). “….And many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt…” (Daniel 12:2 KJV).

“…Who will free [or save] me from this life that is dominated by sin? …” (Romans 7:14-25 NLT).

“… The answer is in Jesus Christ our Lord…” (Romans 7:14-25 NLT).

The MIRACLE of SALVATION is Jesus Christ as we discovered in the last chapter.  He is the ONLY one who can SAVE you from the “consequences” of sin and its “effects.”

Even the PROCESS of becoming SAVED is a MIRACLE: Here’s how:

1.) YOU MUST ADMIT YOU ARE A SINNER? “…For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God…” (Romans 3:23 KJV).  “…As it is written, There is NONE RIGHTEOUS, NO, NOT ONE: There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God. They are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable; there is NONE THAT DOETH GOOD, NO, NOT ONE...” (Romans 3:10-12 KJV).

2.) YOU MUST BECOME AWARE OF WHAT WILL HAPPEN TO YOU IF YOUR SINS ARE NOT ATONED FOR. “…the wages of sin is death…” (Romans 6:23 KJV). “…YE SHALL DIE IN YOUR SINS … YE SHALL DIE IN YOUR SINS…” (John 8:24 KJV).

3.) YOU MUST BE SORRY FOR YOUR SINS; REPENT, AND CHOOSE TO DEPEND UPON THE GOSPEL MESSAGE ABOUT JESUS? “…REPENT YE, AND BELIEVE the gospel…” (Mark 1:15 KJV). “…REPENT ye therefore, and BE CONVERTED, that your sins may be blotted out …” (Acts 3:19 KJV).

“…REPENTANCE TOWARD GOD, and FAITH TOWARD (OR DEPENDENCE UPON) our Lord Jesus Christ. …” (Acts 20:21 KJV).

4.) AFTER REPENTENCE AND BELIEF IN JESUS, YOU WILL BE RESCUED FROM YOUR SINS. “…God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever BELIEVETH IN HIM should not perish, but have everlasting life” (John 3:16). “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house…” (ACTS 16:31 KJV). "…Therefore REPENT AND RETURN, “SO” that your sins may be wiped away…” (Acts 3:19 NASB).

5.) THEREFORE, YOU MUST CHOOSE TO BELIEVE OR DEPEND UPON CHRIST THAT HE DIED FOR YOUR SINS, WAS BURIED, AND ROSE AGAIN. “… Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And ...he was buried, and …he rose again the third day according to the scriptures…” (1 Corinthians 15:3-4 KJV).  “…God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ DIED FOR US…” (Romans 5:8 KJV). “… believe in thine heart that GOD HATH RAISED HIM FROM THE DEAD, thou shalt be SAVED…” (ROMANS 10:9 KJV).

6.) BELIEVING IN OR DEPENDING UPON JESUS’ DEATH, BURIAL, AND RESURRECTION IS ESSENTIAL FOR SALVATION? In God’s world, the shedding of blood is required as an atoning sacrifice for the removal or forgiveness of sins. “…without [the] shedding of blood [there] is no remission” (Hebrews 9:22 KJV). “…Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world” (John 1:29 KJV). “He is the atoning sacrifice for our sins…” (1 John 2:2 NIV).  JESUS’ DEATH “IS” THE PAYMENT FOR YOUR SINS.

7.) YOU WILLFULLY AND VOLUNTARILY CHOOSE TO CONFESS JESUS WITH YOUR MOUTH AND BELIEVE ON HIM OR DEPEND UPON HIM IN YOUR HEART? “…Confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and … BELIEVE IN THINE HEART that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be SAVED…” (ROMANS 10:9 KJV). “…For WITH THE HEART MAN BELIEVETH unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made UNTO SALVATION…” (Romans 10:10 KJV).  “…For WHOSOEVER SHALL CALL UPON THE NAME OF THE LORD SHALL BE SAVED…” (Romans 10:13 KJV). “…REPENT ye therefore, and BE CONVERTED, that your sins may be blotted out …” (Acts 3:19 KJV).

8.) THE MIRACLE OF SALVATION BEGINS THE VERY MOMENT YOU REPENT, CONFESS, AND CHOOSE TO BELIEVE. “…REPENT …AND BELIEVE the gospel…” (Mark 1:15 KJV). “…Confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and … BELIEVE IN ( OR DEPEND IN)THINE HEART that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be SAVED…” (ROMANS 10:9 KJV).  IF You followed the instructions and guidelines you are “NOW” SAVED from the consequences of sin and its effects.

9.) THE MIRACLE OF “THIS” SALVATION, THROUGH JESUS CHRIST, IS THAT IT CAN “NOT” BE FOUND, REPEATED, OR DUPLICATED ANYWHERE ELSE? “…[MIRACULOUS] SALVATION [LIKE THIS] is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved…” (Acts 4:12 NIV). “…Jesus saith unto him, I AM THE WAY, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me…” (John 14 6 KJV). “…BY GRACE have ye been saved THROUGH FAITH; and that NOT OF YOURSELVES, IT IS THE GIFT OF GOD; not of works, that no man should glory…” (Ephesians 2:8-9 ASV).  “…There is [MIRACULOUS] SALVATION IN NO ONE ELSE…” (Acts 4:12a NLT).

WHEN AND “IF” YOU CHOSE TO ANSWER YES TO QUESTION 7 ABOVE, YOU ARE SAVED? “…For WHOSOEVER SHALL CALL UPON THE NAME OF THE LORD SHALL BE SAVED…” (Romans 10:13 KJV). “…REPENT …AND BELIEVE the gospel…” (Mark 1:15 KJV).

“Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new” (2 Corinthians 5:17 KJV). “…Therefore, since we have been justified through faith (depending upon God), we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ…” (Romans 5:1 KJV). “…Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus…” (Romans 8:1 KJV).

THE MOST MIRACULOUS PART OF SALVATION, IN JESUS CHRIST, IS BEING RESTORED “BACK” INTO A RELATIONSHIP WITH GOD.

Restoration is a BONUS of the salvation process. You are restored to God’s Holy Spirit and thus, you have become ALIVE again. “…And the LORD God formed man [of] the dust of the ground (body), and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life (spirit); and man became a living soul (soul)…” (GENESIS 2:7 KJV).

YOU ARE MIRACULOUSLY SAVED. You “WERE” a spiritually “DEAD” soul. You were“…separated from the [HOLY] LIFE of God…” (Ephesians 4:18 NIV). “…It is the [Holy] SPIRIT who gives LIFE…” (John 6:63 NASB). Before you were SAVED “…YOU… were DEAD in your … sins…” (Ephesians 2:1 NIV). “…YOU were dead in your sins and ... [NOW]…God made you ALIVE [through] Christ. He forgave [and cleansed you from]… all [your]… sins…” (Colossians 2:13 NIV). God “….made [you]… ALIVE … [you]… were DEAD in transgressions…” (Ephesians 2:5 NIV). Like the prodigal son, “… [YOU were]…. DEAD and [you have been made]… ALIVE AGAIN; [you were]… lost and [have been]… found…” (Luke 15:24 NIV).

If you were made “ALIVE AGAIN” you were DEAD. “….YOU (the DEAD YOU) USED TO LIVE in sin, just like the rest of the world, obeying (dominated by) the devil—the commander of the [sinful] powers in the unseen world. He is the spirit at work in the hearts of those who refuse to obey God (or follow his instructions and guidelines). All of us used to live that way, following the passionate desires and inclinations (effects) of our sinful nature. ….just like everyone else…” (Ephesian 2:2-3 NLT).

The spiritually DEAD reveal the sinful nature dominating their conduct. The spiritually DEAD are totally affected by carnality. “….When you follow the desires (carnality) of your sinful nature, the results are very clear: sexual immorality, impurity, lustful pleasures, idolatry, sorcery, hostility, quarreling, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambition, dissension, division, envy, drunkenness, wild parties, and other sins like these. Let me tell you again, as I have before, that anyone living that sort of life WILL NOT inherit the Kingdom of God. …” (Galatians 5:22-23 NLT).

The MIRACLE of SALVATION is that God delivers your DEAD soul from the domination of SIN. You are restored to LIFE. “…He restoreth my SOUL…” (Psalm 23 KJV). “…The law of the LORD is perfect, restoring the SOUL…” (Psalm 19 NASB). “IN” Christ, your DEAD soul, has been restored and made “ALIVE AGAIN.” (Luke 15:24 NIV).

“…man became a living soul (soul) [AGAIN]…” (GENESIS 2:7 KJV).

 “…It is the [Holy] SPIRIT who gives LIFE…” (John 6:63 NASB). “……God made you ALIVE with Christ. He forgave [you]… all [your]… sins…” (Colossians 2:13 NIV). “…He that is joined unto the Lord (Jesus) is ONE spirit… [AGAIN with God]…” (1 Corinthians 6:17 KJV). “…. Old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new” (2 Corinthians 5:17 KJV).

The MIRACLE of SALVATION is that it secures your FREEDOM from sin. “….if the Son sets you free, you will be FREE INDEED…” (John 8:36 NIV).  

The MIRACLE of SALVATION is that it rescues you from God’s penalty of sin, which is eternal death.“…That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life…” (John 3:15 KJV). “…And anyone who believes in God's Son has eternal life. Anyone who doesn't obey the Son will never experience eternal life but remains under God's angry judgment…" (John 3:36 NLT). “…He who has the Son has [eternal] life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have [eternal] life…” (1 John 5:12 NASB).

The MIRACLE of SALVATION is that the WORD itself is the POWER of God that actually SAVES! “…BY THE WORD of the Lord the heavens were made…” (Psalms 33:6 NASB).

“…BY THE WORD of the Lord  [YOU ARE SAVED] …” (Psalms 33:6 NASB). “…BELIEVE the gospel…” (Mark 1:15 KJV). “….The gospel of Christ … is the power of God unto SALVATION TO EVERY ONE THAT BELIEVETH (depends upon him)…” (Romans 1:16 KJV). “… [The] Good News about Christ. It is the power of God at work, saving everyone who believes…” (Romans 1:16 NLT).

 “…All things  (including SALVATION) came into being through [the WORD], and apart from [the WORD] nothing came into being that has come into being … (John 1:1-4 NASB).

“…Since the CREATION of the world God’s INVISIBLE QUALITIES—HIS ETERNAL POWER AND DIVINE NATURE—have been “CLEARLY SEEN”, being UNDERSTOOD FROM WHAT HAS BEEN MADE (JESUS WAS MADE FOR SALVATION)…” (Romans 1:20 NIV). “…BY THE WORD of the Lord [YOU ARE SAVED] …” (Psalms 33:6 NASB).

The MIRACLE of SALVATION is that it is a FREE GIFT of God’s love and grace. “….the [FREE]… gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord…” (Romans 6:23 KJV). “…BY GRACE have ye been saved …” (Ephesians 2:8-9 ASV). “…Since it is through God’s kindness, then it is not by their good works. For in that case, God’s GRACE would not be what it really is—free and undeserved…” (Romans 11:5 NLT).

The MIRACLE of SALVATION is that you can CHOOSE to receive it. “…Choose LIFE…” (Deuteronomy 30:19 KJV). “Jesus saith…I am THE WAY, the truth, and the life…” (John 14:6 KJV).

The MIRACLE of SALVATION is that it is RECEIVED by HEARING the gospel, depending upon the good news of Jesus, repenting from sin, and confessing with your mouth the Lord, Jesus. “…Faith cometh by hearing … the word of God” (Roman 10:17 KJV). “…The grace of our Lord was poured out on me (or transferred to me) abundantly, ALONG WITH FAITH (the power to depend upon God) … that are “IN” Christ Jesus…” (1 Timothy 1:13-14 NIV). “…REPENT YE, AND BELIEVE the gospel…” (Mark 1:15 KJV)."It is written in the prophets, 'AND THEY SHALL ALL BE TAUGHT OF GOD.' Every one that hath HEARD and hath LEARNED of the Father, cometh to me…” (John 6:45 KJV). “..If I (Jesus, the WORD) be lifted up from the earth, WILL DRAW all men unto me…” (John 12:32 KJV). “…confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and … believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved” (ROMANS 10:9 KJV).

In a nutshell, the MIRACLE of SALVATION offers deliverance from sin through the GRACE of God. “…BY GRACE have ye been saved THROUGH FAITH; and that NOT OF YOURSELVES, IT IS THE GIFT OF GOD; not of works, that no man should glory…” (Ephesians 2:8-9 ASV).

SALVATION offers eternal life by dependence upon the atoning sacrifice Jesus Christ made on the cross. “…The GIFT of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ ….” (Romans 6:23 KJV).  “… Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And ...he was buried, and …he rose again the third day according to the scriptures…” (1 Corinthians 15:3-4 KJV).

The MIRACLE of SALVATION is available in Jesus Christ, but provided by God ALONE. “…God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever BELIEVETH IN HIM should not perish, but have everlasting life” (John 3:16)
^“Herein is LOVE, not that we loved God, but that HE LOVED US and sent His Son...” (1 John 4:10 KJV). “…Christ came at just the right time and died for us sinners. Now, most people would not be willing to die for an upright person, though someone might perhaps be willing to die for a person who is especially good. But God showed his great LOVE FOR US by sending Christ to die for us while we were still sinners” (Romans 5:6-8 NLT).

“…There is no greater LOVE than to lay down one’s life…” (John 15:13 NLT).

GLORY TO GOD FOR THE MIRACLE OF SALVATION!!