"For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of His Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by His life." Romans 5:10
I am not saved by believing; I realize I am saved by believing. It is not repentance that saves me, repentance is the sign that I realize what God has done in Christ Jesus. The danger is to put the emphasis on the effect instead of on the cause. It is my obedience that puts me right with God, my consecration. Never! I am put right with God because prior to all, Christ died. When I turn to God and by belief accept what God reveals I can accept, instantly the stupendous Atonement of Jesus Christ rushes me into a right relationship with God; and by the supernatural miracle of God's grace I stand justified, not because I am sorry for my sin, not because I have repented, but because of what Jesus has done. The Spirit of God brings it with a breaking, all-over light, and I know, though I do not know how, that I am saved.
The salvation of God does not stand on human logic, it stands on the sacrificial Death of Jesus. We can be born again because of the Atonement of Our Lord. Sinful men and women can be changed into new creatures, not by their repentance or their belief, but by the marvellous work of God in Christ Jesus which is prior to all experience. The impregnable safety of justification and sanctification is God Himself. We have not to work out these things ourselves; they have been worked out by the Atonement. The supernatural becomes natural by the miracle of God; there is the realization of what Jesus Christ has already done - "It is finished."
BTW... It was a few days ago that I scheduled this to post today. I forgot that I wanted to add: What do you think of these words of Chambers? On the one hand it sounds like universalism, but on the other hand he's talking about Christ and Christ alone, and justification by faith.
ReplyDeleteFor some reason, this specific date from My Utmost For His Highest has stuck out to me for years, because of the focus on Christ.
"and by the supernatural miracle of God's grace I stand justified, not because I am sorry for my sin, not because I have repented, but because of what Jesus has done."
ReplyDeleteThis statement stood out for me.
Although because of God's grace we will be sorry for our sins and we will repent, our salvation is not dependent on that. It's totally Christ and Christ alone. A great reminder!
Aida,
ReplyDeleteI absolutely LOVE the quote that you highlighted here. I think that's what really stuck out to me all these years. So many times I've heard people describing the 'road to salvation,' and it's often included "being sorry for your sins." But as you say (and Chambers says here) that has nothing to do with salvation. You said it well... any and all repentance and sorrow for sins is all because of God's grace. Indeed it's Christ and Christ alone!