“HOPING TO BE SAVED” OR “I HAVE BEEN SAVED”?
By J.Farrell Fisher, March 20-22, 2017
It’s amazing to me that some interpret the Word of God as a possibility, not a reality! It’s amazing to me that some hear Jesus say, “Come to Me and I will give you rest”, but doubt that that is a Word of eternal Assurance!
In Colossians 2:13-14 Paul wrote under the anointing of the Holy Spirit, “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.”
Paul went further in Colossians 4:12 saying, “Epaphras, who is one of you, a bondservant of Christ, greets you, always laboring for you in prayers, that you may stand perfect and complete in all the will of God.”
Extremely interesting and powerful verses in John 17:1-4 when Jesus said to Father-God, “Father, the hour has come. Glorify Your Son, that Your Son, also may glorify You, as You have given Him authority over all flesh, that He should GIVE ETERNAL LIFE TO AS MANY AS YOU HAVE GIVEN HIM. And this IS ETERNAL LIFE, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent. I have glorified You on the earth. I have finished the work which You have given Me to do.” FINISHED? OR YOU JUST HOPE, MAYBE, SO?
It’s so interesting that some ‘profess’ a walk of faith but never enter the “fullness of the blessing of the gospel of Christ”! In Hebrews 4: 6-10 the author is blessed with the spiritual awareness of some “pretenders” to the true faith rather than legitimate sons and daughters of the royal family of God. It says: “Since therefore it remains that some must enter it, and those to whom it was first preached did not enter BECAUSE OF DISOBEDIENCE, again He designates a certain day, saying in David, ‘Today,’ after such a long time, as it has been said: “Today, if you will hear His voice, do not harden your hearts.”
For if Joshua had given them rest, then He would afterward have spoken of another day. There remains therefore a rest for the people of God. For he who has entered His rest has also ceased from his works as God did from His.” Christ Jesus’ work on Calvary’s Cross WAS and IS God’s finished work providing redemption and release of ‘trusting, repentant, believing hearts’ who “rest” because their sin and old sin nature was crucified with Christ, and they’ve been raised out of spiritual death TO eternal LIFE in and through the shed blood of the Lamb of God!
Redeemed hearts are not to be hardened hearts but “living sacrifices”! In Romans 12: 1-2 the Apostle challenges all believers, “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that YOU present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. And do not be conformed to this world, but be (being) transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.”
“Transformed”? That’s ‘squeezed, pressed into a mold, divinely made over or birthed, re-born, renewed, miraculously changed’ from the flesh nature to a divine nature, holy character, and from an earthly appearance to a heavenly man or woman by supernatural resurrection through Jesus’ shed blood and by the Holy Spirit’s gift of resurrection power into a “new creation”!
It’s really, really interesting that we find Paul saying in Philippians 1:15-18, “Some indeed preach Christ even from envy and strife, and some also from goodwill: The former (“pretenders”) preach Christ from selfish ambition, not sincerely, supposing to add affliction to my chains; but the latter out of love, knowing that I am appointed for the defense of the gospel. What then? Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is preached; and in this I rejoice, yes, and will rejoice.”
Even the Lord Jesus, in Matthew 24:11-13, said: “Then many false prophets will rise up and deceive many. And because lawlessness will abound, the love of many will grow cold. But HE WHO ENDURES TO THE END WILL BE SAVED. And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world as a witness to all the nations, and then the end will come.”
Dare I ask you? I will! How often have you heard preaching today about “the gospel of the kingdom” that is “preached in all the world as a witness to all the nations”? Are you aware that there ARE “gospels of ‘denominations’”, gospels of pretenders, gospels of ‘false prophets’ and some ‘fleshly pastors’, gospels of some people who sincerely desire to be ‘religious’ apart from “born again”?
The “wise man” in Proverbs 3:5-6 declared, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on (or unto) your own understanding (or self-interpretation); in all your ways acknowledge Him (give Christ His rightful place as Lord, Savior, Master of your life), and He shall direct your paths.”
But how many ‘religious people do you know who “call my own shots, determine what I religiously believe to be the right path, settling in to religious, self-will”? It was St. Augustine who once wrote: “Beware of despairing about yourself; you are commanded to put your trust in God, and not in yourself.”
What is Deuteronomy 28:52 speaking about when it says, “the walls in which you trusted”, unaware the walls of self-trust, religious affiliations, ‘best effort’ WILL COME TUMBLING DOWN? Isaiah 50:10 gets clearer to the true, God-desiring man. It says: “Who among you fears the Lord? Who obeys the voice of His Servant? Who walks in darkness and has no light? Let him TRUST in the name of the Lord and RELY upon his God.” Hoping to be saved or fully aware you have been saved, born again, redeemed by the blood of the Lamb, reconciled to God, established as a true son or daughter of the royal family of Father-God in and through Christ alone?
FIRST, FOR THE TRULY GOD-FEARING MAN, WOMAN, BOY OR GIRL, IT’S NOT ‘HOPING TO BE SAVED’ BUT FULLY AWARE I HAVE BEEN SAVED THROUGH THE BLOOD-ATONEMENT OF CHRIST MY LORD, THE RESURRECTED, REIGNING, ROYALLY-BLESSED KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS REVEALED OR UNVEILED IN GOD’S HOLY WORD!
In Ephesians 1:7 we read, “In Him (in Christ alone) we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of God’s grace.”
As the Apostle extended the Gospel Truth, there were many responders along with the ‘pretenders’, like many ‘religious’ Jewish imitators but not possessors of the Resurrection Life, Resurrection Power, and Resurrection Hope – they made ‘war’ against the True Remnant, killing the majority of true believers across Israel!
It’s interesting to read 2 Corinthians 7:9-10! Paul said: “Now I rejoice, not that you were made sorry, but that your sorrow led to repentance. For you were made sorry in a godly manner, that you might suffer loss from us in nothing. For godly sorrow produces repentance leading to salvation, not to be regretted; but the sorrow of the world produces death.”
There IS ‘fleshly sorrow’ for some, but godly sorrow erupts in repentance ‘leading to salvation, not to be regretted’ for the truly God-fearing man, woman, boy or girl! In 2 Corinthians 6:1 Paul challenges you and me about receiving, as we rest in, the true grace of God! He said: “We then, as workers together with Him also plead with you not to receive the grace of God in vain.” How is that a possibility? Because ‘fleshly grace’ is an attempt at making one’s self ‘better’, but Godly conviction and the gift of repentance leads to ‘bitterness’ about one’s godless life but “blessing after blessing” because His conviction of our sin and sin nature and Christ’s crucifixion and resurrection leads the repentant heart to “the fullness of the blessing of the gospel of Jesus Christ”!
Are YOU aware of the reality of ‘triumphant poverty’ in the Spirit-realm because some sincere but uninformed ‘believers’ “rest” in their “spiritual best performances” apart from blood redemption, Holy Spirit conviction, God’s gift of true faith, redeemed lives testifying of the Amazing Grace of God, And Holy Spirit witness and power raising true sons and daughters UP in the family “Tree of Faith”!
Hear me! True sons and daughters of “blood redemption faith” lean not to their own understanding, but in all their ways they give Christ His rightful place as Lord, Savior, and Master of their lives!
True sons and daughters of blood redemption faith, yes, bow daily before Christ Jesus who is our “Priest-Intercessor”, Holy Prophet, feeding us daily manna from Heaven, and King of kings over us, subduing faithfully, yes, fleshly rebellion and disobedience from our ‘old man-nature’!
True sons and daughters of redemptive faith comprehend, understand, and yield to His Presence within them, even as the world, the flesh, and the devil would lead them astray!
True sons and daughters of redemptive faith live unashamed of their allegiance to their Lord and Savior, yes, openly unveiling that faith to family, friends, classmates, employers and employees, even strangers on their streets! They “follow the Lamb” wherever He leads and directs!
True sons and daughters of redemptive faith understand “their charge to keep”! Charles Wesley wrote an old hymn entitled “A Charge to Keep.” It says: “A charge to keep I have, A God to glorify; Who gave His Son my soul to save, And fit it for the sky.
To serve the present age, My calling to fulfill, – O may it all my powers engage To do my Master’s will.
Arm me with jealous care, As in Your sight to live; And O, Your servant, Lord, prepare a strict account to give!”
True sons and daughters of redemptive faith live in the “blessed assurance” of eternal hope as Hebrews 6:19 declares: “This hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast, and which enters the presence behind the veil.”
SECOND, FOR THE TRULY GOD-FEARING MAN, WOMAN, BOY OR GIRL, I’D BE AMISS NOT TO TELL YOU OF GOD’S GIFT IN THE RESURRECTED, REIGNING CHRIST OF THE VICTORY THAT OVERCOMES YOUR WORLD! Receive 1 John 5:4! “For whatever is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world – our faith.”
Oh, but then 1 John 5:5 strengthens one’s understanding when John, inspired by the Holy Spirit, wrote: “Who is he who overcomes the world, but he who believes (trusts in, relies upon, adheres to) that Jesus IS the Son of God.” In John 1:14 the beloved John wrote: “And the Word (Christ Jesus) became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace and truth.”
If “Christ in you is the hope of glory,” is there IN YOU the reality of ‘overcoming, conquering, victorious trust’ regardless of what the world, the flesh, or the devil throws at you? Psalm 22:3-5 is an amazing unveiling of, yes, Old Testament ‘saints’ who looked to the coming of the Promised Messiah! “But You (Christ Jesus, Promised Messiah) are holy, enthroned in the praises of Israel. Our fathers trusted in You; they trusted, and You delivered them. They cried to You, and were delivered; they trusted in You, and were not ashamed.”
And regardless of what the world, the flesh, or the devil throws at you, “in Christ” Paul said in Romans 8:37-39, “Yet in all these things we are MORE THAN CONQUERORS THROUGH CHRIST WHO LOVED US. For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
THIRD, FOR THE SANE, SANCTIFIED, SAINTED, SENT TRUE DISCIPLE OF CHRIST THERE IS BIBLICAL WISDOM ABOUT HIS/HER JOURNEY WITH ONE’S LORD, SAVIOR, AND MASTER OF A REDEEMED LIFE! In Psalm 46:1-5 we read: “God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear, even though the earth re removed, and though the mountains be carried into the midst of the sea; though its waters roar and be troubled, though the mountains shake with its swelling. There is a river whose streams shall make glad the city of God, the holy place of the tabernacle of the most high. God is in the midst of her, she shall not be moved; God shall help her, just at the break of dawn.”
Dare I shall a word of personal testimony? Believe I will! I came out of a broken marriage and ‘family’ (?) – my father and mother divorcing when I was three years of age. I had been taken by my mother to live with her parents from age three to about twelve. Both grandparents were active Christians, but also, my mother’s two younger sisters were still at home, one sister about four years older than me and the other about six years older – both heavily involved in the First Baptist Church of Cleveland, Tennessee. The younger sister was pianist for the church there for many years. Grandparents, two aunts, and godly men in our home church settled in on me to be intercessors, witnesses, and ‘cross-bearers’ in my behalf! I was challenged early not to lean to my own understanding but to trust in, rely upon, and adhere my walk in obedience and submission to the King of kings and Lord of Lords. I’ve been the recipient of a blessed, fulfilling, miraculous life, not only in ministry service as a pastor and missionary, but superbly blessed with an awesome wife and three Godly sons and a daughter. I’m not sure if there is any man anywhere more blessed than I have been!
FOURTH, THE SEPARATED SON AND DAUGHTER OF REDEMPTIVE FAITH IS BLESSED WITH AN AWESOME OUTPOURING OF UNENDING LOVE AND FAITHFUL HELP FROM CARING, MERCIFUL, INTERCEDING GOD IN AND THROUGH CHRIST! In Jeremiah 31:2-3 the prophet assures us of God’s CONTINUING OUTPOURING of intercessory help! He said: Thus says the Lord: “The people who survived the sword FOUND GRACE in the wilderness – Israel, when I went to give him rest.” The Lord has appeared of old to me, saying: “Yes, I have loved you with an everlasting love; therefore with lovingkindness I have drawn you.”
Sadly, of course, there are some “drawn” by Father-God who do not respond in repentance and obedience but unbelief and defiance! There are those who “gad about”, but then there are those who “give in” in full surrender to the King of kings and Lord of lords – and you’ll know them by “the fruit of the Spirit” that radiates Christ in them and through them.”
Receive 2 Corinthians 5:14-15! “For the love of Christ compels us, because we thus judge: that if One died for all, then all died; and He died for all, that those who live should live no longer for themselves, but for Him who died for them and rose again.” If He died for all, and He did, then why are some saved and others lost, separated, alienated forever from Father-God? Because, though forgiven, they choose to be ‘masters’ of their own destinies – and what lies ahead for an unrepentant, self-motivated, manly achiever in ‘self-righteousness’ is “eternal death and separation from Holy God!
Never forget: “God so loved the world…AND YOU IN PARTICULAR! “ He loves you and drawn you to Himself – will you repent, receive, and rest in Christ’s finished work or do you continue on your own? I John 4:9 declares: “In this the love of God was manifested toward us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through Him.” If we say ‘yes’, then it leads us to:
FIFTH, THERE IS IN THE ETERNAL REALITY OF THE “NEW-BORN” IN CHRIST WHO ARE BATHED IN HIS ETERNAL RIVER OF EVERLASTING PEACE, STRENGTH, AND HOPE! Isaiah 26:2-4 says clearly: “Open the gates, that the righteous nation which keeps the truth may enter in. You will keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on You. Trust in the Lord forever, for in Yah, the Lord, is everlasting strength.” And, “in Christ” does His everlasting strength sustain us and empower us to live the overcoming life of the world, the flesh, and the devil? ABSOLUTELY!
Psalm 5:11-12 says: “But let all those rejoice who put their trust in You; let them ever shout for joy, because You (Holy God) defend them, (protect or cover); let those also who love Your name be joyful in You. For You, O Lord, will bless the righteous; with favor You will surround him as with a shield.”
SIXTH, THERE IS THE ETERNAL EVIDENCE IN THE “CHRIST-CHILD” OF THE TESTIMONY OF A THANKFUL HEART! How clear is Romans 8:28 where Paul wrote the following words? “And WE KNOW that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.”
But that’s not all! Receive Romans 8:29! “For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to be conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the first-born among many brethren.”
And if you are His, what does 2 Corinthians 3:18 tell us? “But we all, with unveiled face (no fleshly ‘mask’ anymore!), beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, ARE BEING TRANSFORMED into the same image from glory to glory, just as by the Spirit of the Lord.” Glory!
Psalm 91:11-16 the Holy Word declares: “For He (God the Father) shall give His angels charge over you, to keep you in all your ways. In their hands they shall bear you up, lest you dash your foot against a stone. You shall tread upon the lion and the cobra, (demons!) the young lion and the serpent you shall trample underfoot.
Because he(JFF) has set his love upon Me, therefore I will deliver him; I will set him on high, because he has known (and keeps on knowing!) My name. He shall call upon Me, and I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble; I will deliver him and honor him. With long life I will satisfy him, and show him My salvation.” What is He unveiling to YOU?
Tell me about YOUR daily entrance “into His gates with thanksgiving, and into His courts with your never-ending praise”!
I close with a statement from Ravi Zacharias who wrote in his “A Life Out of Nothing,” “I come away with the absolute certainty that God has ordered my steps and that God was there, even in the darkest moments of my life. I know this as surely as I know I exist. This is the most certain truth I possess, and it is truly liberating.” Liberated in the Spirit of Christ or bound in the chains of one’s own fleshliness?