Continuing in the Old Paths part III

We are continuing our look at continuing in old-time doctrine, which involves continuing in Bible Doctrine. We are looking at the Biblical doctrine of Salvation. We have noted the means of salvation. Now that's look at the method of salvation.

b. The Method of Salvation
Having looked at just how God has provided us with salvation, now let’s consider how we get saved. I am sure that many of you are familiar with Ephesians 2:8-9
“For by grace are ye saved through faith, and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God, not of works, lest any man should boast.” I am glad that we have a very simple salvation. God has already done the work of providing the way to get saved – through the sacrifice that His Son made on the Cross of Calvary. We will look at both God’s part in salvation and man’s part in salvation.
1) God’s part – Conviction
Conviction is the work of the Holy Spirit applying the truth of the Word of God to our hearts. “So then faith cometh by hearing and hearing by the Word of God” Romans 10:17
“And he [Paul] said, who art thou, Lord? And the Lord said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest: it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks.” Acts 9:5 The pricks that Jesus is referring to is the conviction that Paul felt for his sin. “And he [the Comforter – The Holy Spirit] is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment.” John 16:8. I am so glad that I felt the conviction of the Holy Ghost in my life so that I could get saved. Here is a very simple thought: you MUST realize that you are lost before you can be saved! Dear friend, you must understand that “all have sinned and come short of the glory of God.” Romans 3:23 You and I, along with every single man, woman, boy, and girl on this planet are sinners. We sin every day. We are not sinners because we sin, but we sin because we are sinners. We are born with the sinful nature inherited from Adam and Eve. Sin is the direct opposite of what God is. God is holy and perfect. Oh! How sinful we are! Dear reader, will you realize and accept the truth of the Word of God? If you are lost, the Holy Spirit is inviting you to realize that you are sinner and then trust in Christ for salvation. God’s part in salvation is conviction.
2) Man’s part – Repentance and Faith
Friend, God has done all the work necessary for salvation. Our part in salvation is simple: repent and believe! “Testifying both to the Jews, and also to the Greeks [anyone non-Jewish], repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ.” Acts 20:21 That verse reveals that salvation is for anyone, Jew or Gentile, and that salvation consists of both repentance and faith. If the Holy Spirit has convicted your heart that you are a sinner, you must now repent of your sin. Repent means to change your mind and direction. This doesn’t mean you have to promise to quit anything or join something, but it is does mean that you are agreeing with God about your sin and that you are seeking His forgiveness. Faith involves trusting Christ as your Savior. “For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.” Romans 10:13. Let’s break down that verse as we finish looking at the method of salvation.
a) The Scope of Salvation “For whosoever…”
Dear reader, ANYONE can get saved. Jesus died for the sins of the whole world, not just a chosen few. “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” John 3:16
Jesus died for ALL men and women! The Holy Spirit said in Revelation 22:17 “And the Spirit and the bride [the church] say, come, and let him that heareth say, come, and let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him come and take of the water of life freely.” Praise God! One of the aspects of the song that we will be singing in Heaven is this: “…for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation.” Rev. 5:9.
b) The Sincerity in Salvation “shall call…”
This is calling on God to save you. Jesus said, “Blessed are the poor in spirit for theirs is the kingdom of God.” Those who are “poor in spirit” realize that they cannot do anything for themselves and they call upon God to save them. To get born again, you must realize that you are lost and that you need Christ. That is why this verse says “for whosoever shall call…” If you are lost, call right now upon God to save you. He will! What the exact words you use are not important. The publican said “Lord, have mercy on me a sinner!” What is important is that you realize Christ has done all the work necessary for salvation and simply trust in His finished work.
c) The Source of Salvation “upon the name of the Lord…”
The Word of God says to “call upon the name of the Lord.” Don’t call on Mary, Buddha, Allah, Mohammed, your good works, or anything else! Call on the Lord. He is ready to hear you cry out to Him! He wants to save you! God does not want you to go to a devil’s Hell, but He wants you to be able to fellowship with Him both here and in Heaven. “I am the way, the truth, and the life, no man cometh to the Father but by me.” John 14:6.
There is no other way, He is THE way!
d) The Sureness of Salvation “shall be saved”
Praise God! If you realize that you are lost sinner and deserve to go to Hell, and that Jesus paid that penalty for you, and you call on Him, you SHALL be saved! There is no might, or maybe, or hope-so! As John R. Rice (now in Heaven) used to say, “we have a know-so salvation.” You don’t have to doubt, or wonder. In fact, if you doubt your salvation, you are either doubting that you trusted Him for salvation, or you are doubting that God would do what He said He would do. Friend, Jesus died on the Cross, so that you could be saved. He doesn’t want you to spend time doubting. Base your assurance on what He did, and what the Word of God says! Don’t base your assurance on your feelings, or your circumstances. There are some mornings when I don’t feel saved, but I know that I am saved because of what Jesus did and what Jesus said.

If you are not saved, why not get saved right now? You can pray this simple prayer: “Lord Jesus, I know that I am a sinner, and that You died for me. I ask You to forgive my sin and come into my heart as my Lord and Savior. Thank You for saving me. In Jesus’ name, Amen.” If you prayed that prayer and meant it, God had to save you because of what He wrote in His Word. If you just trusted Christ as your Savior, let me know and I’ll be glad to encourage you in your walk with the Lord.
If you are saved, take some time to “stand still and consider the wondrous works of God.” (Job 37:14) Praise the Lord for the method of salvation!