Good day brethren. Thanks be to God for giving us the breath of life today, and for the opportunity to listen to, and share his word, the word of life. Today, a grand bible study was held on zoom, hosted by Bro. Dan Galang. Bro Eli Soriano taught extensively about salvation.
The study started from Mark 8:36...
“For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?” -
Mark 8:36(KJV)
The purpose of man is not just to exist, and die, but to come to be saved by God, and inherit God's kingdom. It is therefore vain for anyone to live with all the affluence this world without associating with the saviour, Jesus Christ.
In this study, I learnt that salvation is a gift from God, not a concept of man, or a doctrine of man. It is what God Himself put in place for all to be saved. This means in seeking salvation, we must not look up to man, or trust in the riches of this world. We must look up to God, the author and finisher of our faith.
Salvation is gotten from God alone, as the bible says in Romans 10:13
For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.
This verse however must not be read in isolation. This is because God has a standard, and he cannot lower his standards for anyone. To fully understand this verse, we must read the next verses because anyone can decide to call on God, whether he knows God or not. For example, idolaters, murders, and heretics can call on the name of God, maybe when they are in trouble, but does it mean they are saved? No. The bible says in Matthew 7:21 that...
Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.
This explains that it is not enough to call upon God while filthy with sin, or living in disobedience to His will. God does not hear sinners. However, for those who do His will, he will hear them and grant their requests.
Salvation therefore requires:
- A preacher sent from God,
- A message of salvation by the preacher,
- A listener who receives the word with faith
13For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.
14How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher?
15And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things!-Romans 10:13-15(KJV)
