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Fundamentals of the Christian Faith
Part 4
God's Calling
By William R. Cunningham
May 25, 2003
INTRODUCTION
Thus far we have investigated the meaning of salvation, the need for salvation, the road or process of salvation, and concepts pertaining to salvation.� We discussed topics such as repentance, illumination, regeneration, justification, propitiation, redemption, predestination, and more.� We even discussed the place of the law within the context of salvation.� These topics help to give us a more complete perspective of salvation.� I call this the "Big Picture."� Now we will put a cap on it, so to speak.
In this lesson we are going to talk about God's calling to salvation.� We are going to investigate what God calls us to and what His calling means to us.� We hope to develop the big picture in regards to salvation, which will come from the data (scriptures), though only God knows the actual big picture.� Understanding the big picture is important because it forces you to look at things from a principle level.� This will provide us with principles to live by and grant us a more complete understanding of what the Bible teaches in my opinion.
I hope that you will become liberated in regards to salvation and realize the true purpose of your salvation.� I pray that your knowledge of salvation would protect you from the plethora of teachings that would rob you of your liberty in Christ.� I pray that you would be free from the rules and regulations that people develop in order to control you and cause you to be incapable of obeying God.
MORE CONCEPTS REGARDING SALVATION
I would like to discuss a few more concepts before we get moving on the call of God to salvation.� I believe these are important because they further clarify the context of salvation regarding God's call, which reveals his purpose for salvation.� Let's briefly discuss forgiveness of sins, reconciliation, and prosperity.
Forgiveness of Sins
One major aspect of salvation is that our sins have been forgiven us.� After all, it is because of sin that we are separated from God in the first place.
Colossians 1:14 (NKJV) in whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins.
Colossians 2:13-14 (NKJV) And you, being dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, He has made alive together with Him, having forgiven you all trespasses, having wiped out the handwriting of requirements that was against us, which was contrary to us. And He has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross.
The key to understanding this in the context of salvation is to first understand what forgiveness means.� The word forgiveness means:� The giving up of resentment or claim to requital of an offense.� Forgiveness is conditioned on repentance and the willingness to make reparations, or atonement.� The effect of forgiveness is the restoration of both parties to the former state of relationship.� The Hebrew word for "forgive" means to pardon or spare.� The Greek word for "forgive" means to send forth, lay aside, let go, omit, put (send) away. In general we can say that to forgive is to release the resentment caused by an offense for the purpose of restoring the relationship.
Sin separates us from God and forgiveness of sins allows us to get back into right relations with God.� Therefore, righteousness requires that redemption since the wages of sin is death (Romans 6:23).� Humans are born with the sin nature and this nature keeps us from true fellowship with God.� Therefore, salvation brings upon us the forgiveness of our sins so that we can be seen as righteous before the Lord.� Keep in mind that this righteousness is through Jesus Christ and not obtained by anything that we could do.
The forgiveness of God is a powerful and complete occurrence.� It doesn't matter how bad you think you are or how bad you think you were.� You are washed in the blood of Jesus Christ and your sins are therefore forgiven if indeed you are saved.� Your sins are forgiven and you are justified if you believe in the Lord Jesus Christ.
Sin is still sin
I wanted to take a moment and stress the fact that sin is still sin whether you are saved or not.� The only difference is that those who are saved have an advocate and intercessor before the Lord God.� The Bible says,
1 John 1:8-9 (NKJV) If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
So even Christians will do contrary to the will and Way of God.� Even those who are saved will do unrighteous things.� The Bible says that all unrighteousness is sin (1 John 5:17).� However, we have access to the forgiveness of God because we are saved.� Our sins are forgiven us as a result of our faith in Jesus Christ. Sin can also be thought of as the transgression of a law.� In the case of the New Testament, it is to transgress the way of God's righteousness.
Therefore, though we have been forgiven sin, we still can commit sin in the sense that we sometimes will do those things that are not righteous. �I should also point out that sometimes sin is subjective.� Consider the following scripture.
Romans 7:14-16 (NKJV) For we know that the law is spiritual, but I am carnal, sold under sin. For what I am doing, I do not understand. For what I will to do, that I do not practice; but what I hate, that I do. If, then, I do what I will not to do, I agree with the law that it is good.
There is constantly a war going on between the human nature and the Spirit of God that dwells in those who are regenerated (saved, born again, etc.).� We still have to do all we can to fight the desire of the flesh to rebel against God.
Though our sins are forgiven and a war is raged in our minds, we still should be careful of thinking that we have a blank check to sin.� However, I believe that a true Christian, that is someone that has been truly regenerated, would as a matter of course not have such a disposition.� A person that is truly regenerated wants to do right even though he or she may not do so all of the time.� Still, the sin that is committed does bring on conviction and grief.� This should be followed by an awareness of forgiveness as even our guilt can cause us to be ineffective in God's kingdom.
Sin, Right, and Wrong
Sin is not a matter of right and wrong.� It is rather a matter of righteousness and unrighteousness.� What is right or wrong is subjective.� The Bible says that all unrighteousness is sin (1 John 5:17).� Therefore, anything that is not in right standing with God's Way is sin.� Our concept of sin is based on the rules that man fabricates for the most part.� We consider something as sinful if it appears to break our rules.� However, sin is to transgress God's way and to act outside of righteousness.� This begins in the heart and comes from the heart to manifest a particular action.� This is what Jesus was teaching in Matthew 5:21-30 for example.
There are things that are sinful, wrong, unlawful, taboo, and inappropriate.� However not all of these are unrighteous in the strict since (remembering that God says to obey the laws of the land in Romans 13:1).� We have made up some of our own rules.� Right and wrong, for example, are many times developed by the society that we live in and sometimes we can confuse the adherence to those as being godly.� For example, different cultures have different customs for greeting, what is considered rude, etc.� If I am in a certain country and do something that is considered sin then I have indeed sinned but only within the boundary of that culture.� That wouldn't be called sin against God so to speak.� Paul discussed this same principle when he was instructing the Corinthian church in regards to their liberty in Christ and eating meat that was sacrificed to idols (See 1 Corinthians 8:9-13).
Now you see why following the rules is not sufficient for us to leave a life of sin.� We need Jesus in order to be free from sin.� We do not have the power within us to forsake the life of sin and live a holy and righteous life.� We become holy (set apart) when we are born again and reconciled to God and this is done through Jesus Christ.
The Hell Syndrome
I am sure you have heard statements like, "If you were to die today, would you go to heaven?"� This statement is then followed by something like, "If you don't know if you'd go to heaven if you would die right now then come up to the altar."� Sometimes people respond to such a call.� Note that this call is not to salvation.� Rather, such a call is to escape the hell that is preached.� Who wants to burn for eternity?� Sure I will do what you say if that will help me to avoid burning forever.� However, salvation is obtained by responding to the Gospel of Christ and not to the scare tactics of many.
A person that desires to escape hell is not necessary entering into a relationship with the Lord.� Therefore, it is paramount that we preach the Gospel of Jesus Christ and not the gospel of hell.�� A person is not saved just because they want to escape hell.� A person is saved when they believe in Jesus Christ.
Reconciliation
Consider the following scripture.
2 Corinthians 5:17-21 (NKJV) Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away; behold, all things have become new. Now all things are of God, who has reconciled us to Himself through Jesus Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation, that is, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not imputing their trespasses to them, and has committed to us the word of reconciliation. Now then, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were pleading through us: we implore you on Christ's behalf, be reconciled to God. For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.
The word "reconcile" in the above scripture means to bring back two parties that were at odds with each other into friendly relations, to bring back into favor with or to receive one into favor.� This highlights the grace of God in that God reconciled us, that is, brought us back into favor with him.� Also note that our reconciliation can only occur through Christ.� We cannot be reconciled to God on our own especially since reconciliation is due to what God has done and not what we have done or can do.
To be reconciled to God is to be brought back into right relations with Him.� It is to be put at peace with God almighty, the creator of the universe and all that is in it.� It was we who first sinned against God and it was we that separated ourselves from God.� However, God in his great mercy and grace chose to bring us back into righteousness.� This demonstrated the great love that he has for us since we could not bring ourselves back into right relations with Him.
You are now at peace with God if indeed you are saved (justified).� Through Jesus Christ you have peace and right relations with God almighty.� You have been reconciled to God.
Prosperity
Being saved does not mean that you are going to be wealthy.� It surely means that God will take care of you as one of His children.� However, that doesn't mean a life of prosperity if you define prosperity in terms of the accumulation of things (cars, money, jewelry, etc.).� Sure God can heal you and prosper you.� However, there are people that loved God and still died of an illness.� That doesn't mean that he or she was any less godly than those who are well.� We don't always understand why things happen and we tend to feel that God should just heal all Christians that are sick, especially those close to us.� The fact of the matter is that such doesn't always happen.� There will always be pains that we have to deal with.
The prosperity teaching of today appeals to our human lusts for riches as if wealth is the panacea of life.� The panacea for life is instead Jesus Christ.� Jesus said, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me" (John 14:6).� The promises of riches, wealth, and health are not part of the plan of salvation.� Consider the following scripture, which is wrongly taught in the prosperity circles.
1 Peter 2:24 (NKJV) who Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live for righteousness-by whose stripes you were healed.
The healing here refers to the healing of the spirit not the body.� Yes God will heal us but not all are healed.� That is evident if we would truthfully acknowledge this.� Some are healed and some are not and we don't know why.� However, Jesus Christ heals the spirit of man from its sickness.
I should also bring your attention to the fact that the Bible's concept of prosperity is not the same as you hear in many Charismatic circles.� Just take a look at the Beatitudes in Matthew chapter five for example and note how blessing is perceived.� However, the main thing that I would like to point out here is that prosperity is not synonymous with salvation.� Not all will be prosperous but we all should love and trust God.
GOD'S CALLING
One of the most important things you should know about salvation is that it was initiated and completed by God.� God calls us to salvation and if he hadn't then we would be eternally lost.� However, God's love for us caused Him to provide a way to life.� Now we should keep in mind that salvation is not merely for you to go to heaven.� God didn't call us to salvation just so that we could go to heaven and therefore escape hell.� There is a lot more to God's calling to salvation than it appears if you don't see salvation in its entire scope.
God calls us to himself!� God calls to a right relationship with Him.� God wants you!� Now that you are saved, you can fulfill your godly purpose, though we should consider that God uses the ungodly according to his will as well.� One significant factor about your salvation is that it puts you in right relations with God and then we can fulfill our "original" purpose.� The God of this universe chose you through the call to salvation.
Your Purpose
The culmination of our salvation is justification, which places us at peace with God.� I can now do the things that God wants me to do and I can do them his way because I can now "see" the Kingdom of God.� I am now equipped to obey God so to speak.� You have answered the call to salvation, which is really a call to fellowship so to speak.� Now you can live and fulfill your godly purpose since now you have Jesus Christ.
Philippians 4:13 (NKJV) I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.
We are all equipped to do something.� This equipping does not necessarily have to do with ministry in the church organization.� As a matter of fact, I believe you should not be concerned about the church organization because it is part of the problem of people not knowing God in the first place.� It is in many cases the church organization that is in the way of a person really knowing God and therefore doing what He wants.� OK.� Enough of that.
What is your calling?� The Bible says that ultimately our duty is to fear God and keep his commandments (Ecclesiastes 12:13).� Jesus also told us one thing that we should all live our life by and therefore called to do.
Matthew 22:37-40 (NKJV) Jesus said to him, "'You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.' This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like it: 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself.' On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets."
If nothing else, we are called to love.� After all, God is love (See 1 John 4:8,16).� But how can we love if the love of God is not in us?� How can we truly radiate the love of God and express that love towards God and others if the love of God is not in us?� The answer is that we can't (See 1 John 4:12-13).
Do What's In You
Don't seek your purpose.� Just do what is in you.� Remember that you can now do the things that God wants of you because you are saved.� You are empowered by His Spirit to live God's way.� Sin doesn't have to be in your way anymore because you have the liberty of Jesus Christ flowing through your inner being.� Just do what is in you, which is what God placed in you for your purpose.� Don't think that purpose has to be something that is prestigious in the world system, which includes the church organization.� Some are called to be good parents for example.� Some are called to be firemen, policemen, housekeepers, librarians, doctors, lawyers, etc.� Just do what God put in you to do.
I asked a pastor once how he knew that he was ready to pastor.� That pastor told me that that's not the way it works.� He said to just do what God put in you to do.� Be who you are and develop the things that God has placed in you.� I did just that and God has blessed me in ministry in a great way since those days in the early 1990's.�
The Simplicity of the Gospel
Now we have covered quite a bit of material in regards to salvation.� In particular, we looked at various concepts of salvation such as predestination, election, and foreknowledge.� We also looked at different philosophies of salvation such as Calvinism and Arminianism.� Do you know what the strange thing is?� These really don't matter for those who are saved as long as you know them.� The Bible simply says that if we believe in Jesus Christ then we are saved.
John 3:16 (NKJV) For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.
It doesn't matter if God predestined you to salvation or if you were elected.� Do you believe in Jesus Christ?� If so then you are saved.� It's that simple.� You don't have to worry about election, predestination, foreknowledge, the rapture, pre-tribulation, post-tribulation, amillenialism, pre-millenialism, etc.� None of those matter because the bottom line is that you are saved.� Understanding what this salvation means will protect you from falling into false doctrine (See Galatians 1:6-7).
People will challenge your actions and challenge your Christianity.� People will make you feel that God has turned his back on you because you did something so bad.� The bottom line is that you are saved.� The war is going on in your members and you will sin (See 1 John 1:8).� However, remember that you are washed in the blood of Jesus Christ and that your sins are forgiven.� Regardless of how bad you think you are take refuge in the fact that your sins are forgiven and you are not unsaved.
If you are saved then you are righteous through Jesus Christ.� Consider the following.
Romans 8:1 (NKJV) There is therefore
now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus, who do not walk according
to the flesh, but according to the Spirit.
God doesn't condemn you (See John 3:18) nor does he accuse you and hold your sins over your head.� God does not induce guilt to destroy you so know that anything that comes against you to separate you from the love of God is not of God.� Jesus said that a house divided cannot stand (Matthew 12:25).
God called you to salvation and you answered if indeed you are saved.� God called you to right relations with Him.� That is the whole of it.� It's not about prosperity, speaking in tongues, healing the sick, and all of the other things that you might think.� Salvation is ultimate about the relationship between humans and God being restored.� It is about us obtaining a right relationship with God the father and this can only be accomplished through Jesus Christ.� Also keep in mind that God initiated this salvation as there is nothing we could have done to obtain it and there is no reason why sinful man would want to head to the light (See John 1).
So are you saved?� If so then you have established right relations with God.� Consider that God created all that there is and you have a relationship with Him.� Do you see how liberating this is?� Your security is in Christ not man.� Your trust and allegiance is to God and not your church or pastor.� Of myself, the only thing that I could do is bring you down.� However, with the Holy Spirit working through me and in me, He can edify you.� You don't have to do what you are told except to obey God.� You don't have to blindly follow the rules just in case they are right.� You only need to obey God.� Do what God says.� Strive to know Him and do what He wants you to do.� Feel how liberating it is to forsake what doesn't matter to be faithful to God's purpose.
Philippians 3:8-12 (NKJV) Yet indeed I also count all things loss for the excellence
of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss
of all things, and count them as rubbish, that I may gain Christ and be found
in Him, not having my own righteousness, which is from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness
which is from God by faith; that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection,
and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death, if, by any
means, I may attain to the resurrection from the dead.� Not that I have already
attained, or am already perfected; but I press on, that I may lay hold of that
for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me.
God has called you to salvation and you have answered that call if indeed you are saved.� God has called you to fulfill his purpose and live according to his kingdom and now you can since the Holy Spirit dwells within you.� Have assurance of your salvation and don't let anyone rob you of the knowledge of the reconciliation that you have with the Father.� The religious system will try to take that away from you so that you would be loyal to it instead of God.
Be on guard at all times so that you remain loyal to the Lord and not become oppressed and deceived by the religious institutions.� Know that you are saved because you believe in Jesus Christ.� Don't define your relationship with God by the doctrine and dogma of the religious institutions.� Define your relationship with God according to the word.� If you are saved then you are reconciled and have the righteousness of God inside of you.� That's it.� Don't allow yourself to be deceived by pastors, elders, bishops, and the like to rob you of the joy and fellowship that you have with Christ.� Be certain of your salvation.� Keep your faith in Christ and know that is all that is required.� Remember that our overall duty is to obey God not the religious system.� Remember the calling that God has on your life and do it.� Amen.