Right about now many are probably thinking to themselves this all seems much too complicated, the Gospel of salvation is not supposed to be this complicated it’s supposed to be simple, viz. "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved," (Acts 16:31).
This is true for the most part, but then we are not referring to “our common salvation” (Jude 3), of the salvation which comes to all through the ransom sacrifice of Christ, salvation from the Adamic curse, No! We are talking about the “high calling which is in Christ Jesus”, the call of the Church, the call to be joined to body of Christ, something which is only offered once and only now during the Gospel age, a completely different issue.
“Of THIS salvation (as in distinction with the “common salvation”), the prophets have inquired and searched carefully, who prophesied of the grace that would come to you (the Church). “1 Pet 1:10
Also spoken of as "THE salvation," "YOUR salvation," "OUR salvation," "so GREAT salvation," and etc. (Luke 3:6; Eph 1:13; Phil 2:12; Rom 13:11; Heb 2:3).
The “free gift” (the unmerited grace or favor) of God is the common salvation or redemption from the Adamic curse which we all share, this salvation costs absolutely nothing of the individual. It has all been paid for by our redeemer, Christ Jesus our Lord, nothing is require of us.
Just as all men were condemned in Adam irregardless of their own preference so too all men have been saved (redeemed) from this same condemnation through the ransom sacrifice of Christ irregardless of their own preference. That is to say irregardless as to whether or not they believe it or not they are still saved from the Adamic curse, even as it is written:
“Therefore, as through one man’s offense judgment (i.e. the sentence or curse) came to ALL MEN (extensively) resulting in condemnation… (All fall short of the glory of God, there is none righteous, no not one) even so through one man’s righteous act (the Man Christ Jesus who gave his life a ransom for all) the free gift (redemption from the Adamic curse) came to ALL MEN (co-extensively) resulting in (the sentence of) justification of life.” (Rom 5:18)
Does this justification of life imply that all men will have eternal life?
“For the wages of sin is death; but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Rom. 6:23)
Although the gift of God comes to us without our merit it does not imply it is free of responsibility and commitment. Even as a gift it still comes with certain conditions attached to it, the conditions being accept, believe and obey. Now in respects to the world in the next age as to whether or not this gift of justification to life will result in eternal life that will be contingent upon the individual’s fulfillment of the terms of the New Covenant.
So what then of those called now, called to the body of Christ?
Whereas at the present time the only condition for salvation (from the Adamic curse), and to justification to life, is faith and belief in the Lord Jesus much more is required of those who would enter the straight gate, the narrow way and follow in the Master’s footsteps, that will require “sacrifice”.
What does it mean to follow in the Master’s footsteps?
“If anyone desires to come after me (to be my disciple), let him deny himself, and take up his cross and follow Me. For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will save it.” (Luke 9:23, 24)
“Let him deny himself”, let him renounce his own self-will;
“Take up his cross”, begin to live contrary to his own preferences in that he will do according to the Divine will, instead of according to his own will, where it crosses the Divine.
“Follow me”, continue to follow in my footsteps to the end being proven “faithful unto death”, even as I was.
“For the love of Christ compels us, because we judge thus: that if One died for all, then all died; and He died for all, that those who live (those who are justified to life through faith in his blood) should live no longer for themselves, but for Him who died for them and rose again (That is to say those who were thus redeemed should not live for their own pleasures, their own self-interests, but wholly consecrate themselves to his service).” 2 Cor 5:14, 15
"Unto you also it is graciously given on behalf of Christ, not only to believe into him, but also to suffer on his behalf." (Phil 1:29) In the text which we quoted from Luke above, Jesus said: "He who would save his life will lose it." We save our life, in the sense which Jesus means here, when we fail to deny ourselves and submit our will to God, dying to our own opinions, plans, and ways.
We will continue with this discussion as to the requirements of following in the Master’s footsteps and discipleship in our next post.
This is true for the most part, but then we are not referring to “our common salvation” (Jude 3), of the salvation which comes to all through the ransom sacrifice of Christ, salvation from the Adamic curse, No! We are talking about the “high calling which is in Christ Jesus”, the call of the Church, the call to be joined to body of Christ, something which is only offered once and only now during the Gospel age, a completely different issue.
“Of THIS salvation (as in distinction with the “common salvation”), the prophets have inquired and searched carefully, who prophesied of the grace that would come to you (the Church). “1 Pet 1:10
Also spoken of as "THE salvation," "YOUR salvation," "OUR salvation," "so GREAT salvation," and etc. (Luke 3:6; Eph 1:13; Phil 2:12; Rom 13:11; Heb 2:3).
The “free gift” (the unmerited grace or favor) of God is the common salvation or redemption from the Adamic curse which we all share, this salvation costs absolutely nothing of the individual. It has all been paid for by our redeemer, Christ Jesus our Lord, nothing is require of us.
Just as all men were condemned in Adam irregardless of their own preference so too all men have been saved (redeemed) from this same condemnation through the ransom sacrifice of Christ irregardless of their own preference. That is to say irregardless as to whether or not they believe it or not they are still saved from the Adamic curse, even as it is written:
“Therefore, as through one man’s offense judgment (i.e. the sentence or curse) came to ALL MEN (extensively) resulting in condemnation… (All fall short of the glory of God, there is none righteous, no not one) even so through one man’s righteous act (the Man Christ Jesus who gave his life a ransom for all) the free gift (redemption from the Adamic curse) came to ALL MEN (co-extensively) resulting in (the sentence of) justification of life.” (Rom 5:18)
Does this justification of life imply that all men will have eternal life?
“For the wages of sin is death; but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Rom. 6:23)
Although the gift of God comes to us without our merit it does not imply it is free of responsibility and commitment. Even as a gift it still comes with certain conditions attached to it, the conditions being accept, believe and obey. Now in respects to the world in the next age as to whether or not this gift of justification to life will result in eternal life that will be contingent upon the individual’s fulfillment of the terms of the New Covenant.
So what then of those called now, called to the body of Christ?
Whereas at the present time the only condition for salvation (from the Adamic curse), and to justification to life, is faith and belief in the Lord Jesus much more is required of those who would enter the straight gate, the narrow way and follow in the Master’s footsteps, that will require “sacrifice”.
What does it mean to follow in the Master’s footsteps?
“If anyone desires to come after me (to be my disciple), let him deny himself, and take up his cross and follow Me. For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will save it.” (Luke 9:23, 24)
“Let him deny himself”, let him renounce his own self-will;
“Take up his cross”, begin to live contrary to his own preferences in that he will do according to the Divine will, instead of according to his own will, where it crosses the Divine.
“Follow me”, continue to follow in my footsteps to the end being proven “faithful unto death”, even as I was.
“For the love of Christ compels us, because we judge thus: that if One died for all, then all died; and He died for all, that those who live (those who are justified to life through faith in his blood) should live no longer for themselves, but for Him who died for them and rose again (That is to say those who were thus redeemed should not live for their own pleasures, their own self-interests, but wholly consecrate themselves to his service).” 2 Cor 5:14, 15
"Unto you also it is graciously given on behalf of Christ, not only to believe into him, but also to suffer on his behalf." (Phil 1:29) In the text which we quoted from Luke above, Jesus said: "He who would save his life will lose it." We save our life, in the sense which Jesus means here, when we fail to deny ourselves and submit our will to God, dying to our own opinions, plans, and ways.
We will continue with this discussion as to the requirements of following in the Master’s footsteps and discipleship in our next post.
