Pastor’s Thoughts – 03/15/2026

Since becoming a Christian many years ago, much of my Christian life has been spent seeking to clarify and explain the Gospel. I see discussions taking place in Christian circles and hear debates concerning the origination of salvation; what it is, and what it is not. This is a very important matter. Where does our salvation originate? The cultural focus which is based on ideas of human rights and will is taught in most churches, even to the exclusion of or denial of the Scriptures. The rationale for this thinking by many is not based on what the Bible declares as much as it is on contrived views of God’s love, and rational human thinking related to God’s fairness. There is an infinite gulf between the rationale of man and the infinite wisdom and character of God (Ps. 50:21).

For this brief devotion I will focus on the richness of two verses and their context. The apostle Paul after declaring the helpless condition in which all of mankind finds itself by its sinful nature, and our natural attachment to Satan rather than God, then declares to Christians, “But God, being rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in our transgressions, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved)” Eph. 2:4-5. Paul is addressing recipients of salvation. This passage encompasses salvation’s origin and the new nature. Paul makes it clear it does not originate from any sinner because, “We were dead in our transgressions.” Our condition by the term, “dead,” is nekros in Greek, which means a corpse. A corpse bears no life, and here it means in our natural condition of sin by birth under Adam, we have no spiritual ability for life with God. He makes it clear that the power of God alone is the only power capable to take us from this dead-in-sin condition and to being made alive. He further adds, “By grace you have been saved.” The idea of grace removes all merits. It therefore means there is nothing that can originate from any person to bring about this new condition of being, “made alive.”

There are many verses where man is commanded and required to believe, and when he exercises saving belief, he is declared righteous because of Christ. The most often referred to place for this is John chapter 3 and verse 16. We are told there that, “Whoever believes in Him (Christ) will not perish but have everlasting life.” This context is a discussion by our Lord with the religious leader Nicodemus who thought that keeping laws was the basis of a right relationship to God. Our Lord began His discourse with Nicodemus by the emphatic statement, “Unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God” (John 3:3). He further elaborates in John 3:4-8 that the Spirit of God is the Sovereign originator who moves upon a person whereby spiritual life is granted. It is later highlighted in verses 3:14-18 where the channel of salvation is seen by “whoever believes.” Once again, behind the ability to savingly believe is the necessary work of God in a prepared heart.

This being foundational, the Christian is a person who has had a true and essential intervention come in the form of God’s Spirit. We are told as well that the work of God in bringing this saving faith comes from, “Hearing the Word of Christ” (Rom. 10:17). It is abundantly clear that two supernatural situations must be present – the Word of God, and the Spirit of God. If these are present and active, then the work of God in the mind and heart transform in accordance with God’s will. This is the new birth. This is our glorious salvation.

This salvation does not end with our initial enlightenment. We are told in Romans following Paul’s explanation of initial salvation that we are to present our bodies a living sacrifice (Rom. 12:1-3). This theme carries on throughout the New Testament, “Walk worthy of the calling with which you have been called” (Eph. 4:1); “Therefore if you have been raised up with Christ, keep seeking the things above where Christ is” (Col. 3:1); “We request and exhort you…how you ought to walk and please God (just as you actually do walk), that you excel still more” (1 Thess. 4:1). These commands and more are for the converted in Christ, not to obtain salvation, but as joyful recipients of a new nature desiring to please God and serve Him.

This is the true Gospel. From our limited understanding, we seek God and call upon Him because He first sought us (1 John 4:19). Salvation is a supernatural inside-out work of God, not an outside-in work of man. If there is no internal work of God within a heart, true salvation is not present. Yet, God promises that all who come to Him (in accordance with Scripture) He will not cast out (John 6:37). Paul says to the lost crowd at Athens, “That they would seek God, if perhaps they might grope for Him and find Him, though He is not far from each one of us” (Acts 17:27). This statement indicates the access and possibility of salvation to any person. There is a mystery in the connection of where man’s will meets God’s mercies, but ultimately we know that God is the initiator and source of changing us to be His adopted sons. Our response to God’s Word is seeking Him by His grace, believing Him for His promises, and serving Him as our Lord. Our great salvation is not a tag-on to our life, but a radical change that God makes producing in us love for Him and others, faith in Him, obedience to His Lordship, and hope knowing He will make all things right no matter our current world of problems. How great is His transforming salvation for all unworthy sinners. Praise His name!