Two-Sided Salvation – part 4
Speaking of life before and after salvation…
In our unsaved state, we are totally attached to ourselves. Especially with regards to how we perceive that others see us. This attachment is based upon an obsession with our past or anxiety over our future. All of which is centered around a belief of being ‘unacceptable,’ due to some association with a past experience.
Something we did or that was done to us has led to a belief that we are undesirable for relationships. And that we must be someone other than ourselves to ‘measure up.’ Thus, we get trussed up by our efforts to do the impossible. Which keeps us locked out of the present moment – the only timeframe where happiness and acceptance can be found.
In our makings of this despair, we see ourselves as being separate from the rest of the humanity. This feeling of ‘not belonging’ leads to anger, fear and jealousy – all of which promotes suffering. Consequently, we live life in a series of hurtful knee-jerk reactions and thoughts (blaming others. And our situations) that perpetuate this misery. All the while, the life that God meant for us to have, passes us by.
We are alienated from our spirit, trapped in this false self. When we are self-absorbed, we join in with most of the rest of the world. With those who flounder, stumble and wrestle in futile attempts to find peace and happiness by chasing after the yearnings of the flesh.
You are imposing your will upon your spirit and on others, rather than yielding to the will of God.
None of this is what God wants for you or does your opinion of yourself reflect how He sees you. So, how does God see you?
So, God created man in His own image, in the image and likeness of God He created them; male and female He created them. Gn. 1:27 AMP
Thus, God sees you as He sees Himself. Moreover, He planted Himself inside of you:
Do you not know that you are God’s temple and that God’s Spirit dwells in you? 1 Co. 3:16 ESV
And then He set you on your path to righteous deliverance, fully equipped to find your way:
For you formed my inward parts; You wove me in my mother’s womb. I will give thanks to You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; wonderful are Your works, and my soul knows it very well. My frame was not hidden from You, when I was made in secret, and skillfully wrought in the depths of the earth; Your eyes have seen my unformed substance; and in Your book were all written the days that were ordained to me, when as yet there were none of them. Ps. 139:13 – 16. NASB
We were created perfectly at birth, already saved! However, once we reach the age of accountability (when the Law that God planted in our hearts manifest), our need to remove the taint of Adam’s sin becomes apparent. Yet even then, God has already planned for the reconciliation that you need to return to Him:
For those whom He foreknew [of whom He was aware and loved beforehand], He also destined from the beginning [foreordaining them] to be molded into the image of His Son [and share inwardly His likeness] … Rm. 8:29 AMP
…God has chosen you from the beginning for salvation through sanctification by the Spirit and faith in the truth. 2 Th. 2:13 NASB
We see then that God does not make mistakes. There are no flaws in His creations.
Oh, you might say, ‘What about those who are physically / mentally challenged?’ It is my personal belief that they were put here to inspire us. As they overcome their differences. And to help us learn to plant the seeds of greater compassion, love, kindness and service within. Regardless, I believe that after their transient life on this earth is done, their heavenly selves will be exceptional beyond our imagination.
His kingdom is for everyone. God accepts us all.
What He cannot accept is sinful thoughts and actions; but praise God, that’s where salvation comes in:
…in every nation the person who fears God and does what is right [by seeking Him] is acceptable and welcomed by Him. Acts 10:35 AMP
When you come to Jesus for salvation, your old sin self is removed. And you receive the covering of Christ’s righteousness:
But you were washed, but you were sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God. 1 Co. 6:11 NKJV
In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace which He lavished on us. Eph. 1:7, 8. NASB
Therefore, if any person is in Christ [that is, grafted in, joined to Him by faith in Him as Savior], he is a new creature [reborn and renewed by the Holy Spirit]; the old things [the previous moral and spiritual condition] have passed away. Behold, new things have come [because spiritual awakening brings a new life]. 2 Cor. 5:17 AMP
Jesus has done the work, not you! You are freed by grace. And what does God do?
As far as the east is from the west, so far has He removed our transgressions from us. Ps. 103:12 NKJV
“I, even I, am He who blots out your transgressions for My own sake; and I will not remember your sins.” Is. 43:25 NKJV
So, if God accepts you, who are you not to? You are exactly how God created you to be – a soldier for the kingdom. To complete His will as only you can. If God accepts us as we are, there is no perfection that we must strive for. He’s done it already! All that is required is for you to have faith that it is complete.
It doesn’t mean that you won’t screw up from time to time. You will. God’s love and acceptance is never conditional. He always stands ready for you to come back to Him. .So He can love you through your repentance. And then He can restore your place in His presence.
Even when God’s Law convicts us, we can rely upon and embrace Christ’s gospel salvation. That which removes all transgressions from our goodness.
Finally, consider the immeasurable love of God who cleanses us from our sins. Yet uses those that have committed them. Why? To spread the love and grace of His salvation to the hopeless and lost.
God is good…
Goodnight and God Bless.