1 Corinthians 15: 1-5
I have discovered this to be the truth. It is not the messenger who holds the power to bring about the regeneration of a life, “born again” in the Kingdom of God, but it is in the response to God’s powerful message of salvation which quickens the dead and creates new life. (John 3)
It is the gospel message which has the power to bring to salvation all who believe. It is not the messenger who holds the power but the Word of God. (Hebrews 4:12)
The Apostle Paul spoke of the gospel being preached from selfish ambition and also from good will, but rejoiced, nevertheless the gospel was being preached. It is not the vessel (servant) who determines salvation by righteousness, but the response to the Truth – Good News, which is led by the Sovereign will of the Father through His Holy Spirit. For unless the Father calls someone they cannot understand the message and enter His Kingdom. (Philippians 1:15-18, John 6:44)
I heard the gospel message when I was a child: believed and confessed it to others. After sharing the gospel message through a letter to my grandfather I received confirmation of God’s Truth and received His Holy Spirit. The letter was a simple testimony of God’s faithfulness to forgive my grandfather’s sins because Jesus Christ paid the price and suffered on the cross and then rose again to proclaim eternal life. It was a simple message that my grandfather could be saved from hell and go to heaven if he believed in Christ’s salvation. It was a simple message written by a child who believed. I simply carried the Truth to my grandfather who was terminally ill. It was God’s spirit bringing about conviction causing him to repent and confessing Jesus as Savior that brought about the power of God to receive Him into the Kingdom of Heaven. My grandfather reported to us after praying that the power of God’s presence filled the small cubicle (bathroom) where he repented and believed. God told him he was forgiven and was going to heaven. He died shortly thereafter, but I knew where he was. He did not do anything else to merit salvation except to accept it and confess his belief ( Romans 10: 8-10) in Jesus Christ for his salvation, much like the thief on the cross proclaimed, which Jesus responded,
“Today you will be with me in paradise.” (Luke 23:43). It was not me but simply the gospel which saved his soul.
Paul did not mean we had to do something to keep our salvation by saying, “work out your salvation”, but was emphasizing the importance of demonstrating it in our life by following Christ and His righteousness. Our salvation is not something to be taken for granted but demonstrated in a changed life through obedience to God’s Word. (Philippians 2:12)
The Apostle Paul did nothing to bring about His baptism in the Holy Spirit and anointing and election. Remember, he was persecuting the church before God stopped him in his tracks and anointed him to preach the gospel. So it is not by our own righteousness we obtain salvation nor our own righteousness we are called into servanthood, but God’s Sovereignty, anointing whom He will to carry out His plan and purpose. Remember, Jonah ran from God and refused to preach repentance to Israel’s enemy. But God did not choose another, but brought him to the place of repentance and obedience while entombed in the belly of a whale. God separates us for His calling and purpose. (Acts 9, Jonah)
There is no formula, secret or devised method for the anointing except to believe and receive it. If there is sin in the believer’s life, the Holy Spirit brings conviction, sifting, separating falsehood from truth; enabling the believer to walk in His ways. ( Zechariah 13:9) Then the believer represents Him and carries the message with the power of the Holy Spirit, not by eloquent speech (1 Corinthians 2: 1-5), but simply through the power of God’s Holy Word. (Zechariah 4:6) His Word does not return to Him void but accomplishes what He alone has purposed (Isaiah 55:11). Just as the world was created by His Word spoken,(Genesis 1, John 1) so is the new generation and birth of the one who simply believes and responds to His Word by surrendering His old life for the new life in Christ. ( John 3) After judgment, God will create a new heaven and a new earth for the sake of His new creatures in Christ. The new has no part in the old and the old has no part in the new. Everything will be made new where Jesus reigns forever. (Revelation 21:1, 2 Corinthians 5:17, Mark 2:22, 2 Corinthians 6:17)
It is Christ’s sacrifice, not our own which wins souls to Christ. Our love is not enough, our sacrifice cannot equal His own which brings about salvation. We are simply to “follow” Him wherever He calls us to present the gospel without compromise by our speech and our lives. (Romans 1:16)
In that day, they will say, “Didn’t we cast out demons in your name and perform great works” (paraphrase). He will say, “I never knew you”, depart from me doers of iniquity.” (Matthew 7:22-23)
It is the Holy Spirit who begins the work in a true believer and it is the Holy Spirit who will complete the redemption process and sanctification. (Philippians 1:6)
His promise is everyone who has faith in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior is sealed wih the promise of salvation and kept from His wrath. ( Ephesians 1:13-14) In ancient days, whenever a king would pronounce a decree, He sealed it with his signet ring so not one word of it could be changed. Jesus Christ with His blood seals all those who have faith in Him with evidence of His Holy spirit who remain forever as a confirmation of God’s great love and acceptance.( 1 John 5:12) Those who are not sealed receive His wrath and judgment because they refused His great salvation and would not turn from their sins to receive His grace. ( John 3:18). Those who remain are those who are sanctified by His Spirit and no longer slaves to sin but to His Holiness which produces the righteousness of Christ. The Lord is faithful to purify all who believe and present them to the Father as one in Him without spot or blemish; His eternal Bride. (Ephesians 5: 25-27)
Rewards in heaven will be per what His beloved did with the measure of faith given and the work appointed by His election. Some are given a small measure of faith to accomplish God’s appointed task by way of the gifts given through His Holy Spirit. Some are given more faith for the task of their anointing. Nevertheless, we as believers are not our own, but are to be about our Master’s business with the gifts and faith received. (Romans 12:3 Ephesians 4: 1-13, 1 Corinthians 12)
It is knowing Christ which determines our ability to also know how to serve Him. Who can serve their Master without first knowing His desires. Delight yourself in Him and you will fulfill the desires of your own heart. (Luke 10:41-42, Matthew 24: 25-27, John 17:3, John 4:24, Psalm 37:4)
“Who is the man ( or woman) who fears ( reverence) the Lord, He will instruct him in the way he should choose.” Psalm 25:12
Resources:
Bible Hub – biblehub.com
What is the Gospel? – qotquestions.org
