Salvations Only Path
What part does man have in his salvation, if any?
Answer – To gain salvation one must believe in Jesus Christ to the point of a complete acceptance that he can add nothing to the work that God has done on his behalf. Man’s ego however denies that truth. Unregenerate man is convinced that if he is to be saved (granted salvation) he must add something to what God has done- His sacrificing of Himself in the person of Jesus Christ. But what does the Bible say about this? The following passages clearly state that man can do nothing to gain his salvation.
Ephesians 2:1-10 “
“1And you He made alive, who were dead in trespasses and sins, 2 in which you once walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit who now works in the sons of disobedience, 3 among whom also we all once conducted ourselves in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, just as the others. 4 But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, 5 even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), 6 and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, 7 that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. 8 For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, 9 not of works, lest anyone should boast. 10 For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.”
Please note that in verse 1 God emphatically says that at time He makes the recipient of new spiritual life alive said person is dead toward Him having no recognition or desire of Him. Paul writes that this was/is true of all persons, male and female including himself and his people. He reiterates this again in verse 5 and adds that He makes a person spiritually alive by His grace-by His unmerited favor toward the recipient’s. Further he adds in verses 8-10 that man is saved through faith, not of his own works’ it is the gift of God. The redeemed are His (God’s) workmanship.
Verse 7 gives the reason for this; “7that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.” Certainly, God loves man and wants to, by redemption, have fellowship with him. But consider, more than fellowship with man, He is glorified in man’s salvation (redemption). Throughout eternity God’s glory will be under-stood by all creatures i.e., the angelic realm, redeemed man, and all who are eternally separated from Him i.e., all those who denied Him in this present life. Even the fallen angelic realm, including Satan will observe Him in all His glory.
This brings us to another thought, redeemed man’s security. God’s glory assures man’s eternal salvation. If one saved person’s salvation were to be lost those same beings mentioned above would forever see God as not all powerful but as a God with limited power. His glory would be forever diminished. If salvation were a combination of God and man’s work, one’s salvation could be lost, but it is not it is God’s work alone.
Another passage that clearly demonstrates that man has no part in his salvation is John 3:1-8.
“1 Now there was a man of the Pharisees, named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews; 2 this man came to Jesus by night and said to Him, ‘Rabbi, we know that You have come from God as a teacher; for no one can do these signs that You do unless God is with him.’3Jesus answered and said to him, ‘Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God.’ 4 Nicodemus said to Him, ‘How can a man be born when he is old? He cannot enter a second time into his mother’s womb and be born, can he?’5 Jesus answered, ‘Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit he cannot enter into the kingdom of God. 6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. 7Do not be amazed that I said to you, You must be born again. 8 The wind blows where it wishes and you hear the sound of it, but do not know where it comes from and where it is going; so is everyone who is born of the Spirit.’”
We note in this passage that before a person can see (understand) or enter into the kingdom of God (vs.3) he or she must be born again (actually, born from above). And verse 8 says that this is completely the work of God the Holy Spirit. No human effort is involved.
Finally, consider Revelation, chapter 5.
“1 I saw in the right hand of Him who sat on the throne a book written inside and on the back, sealed up with seven seals. 2 And I saw a strong angel proclaiming with a loud voice, ‘Who is worthy to open the book and to break its seals?’ 3 And no one in heaven or on the earth or under the earth was able to open the book or to look into it. 4 Then I began to weep greatly because no one was found worthy to open the book or to look into it; 5 and one of the elders said to me, ‘Stop weeping; behold, the Lion that is from the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has overcome so as to open the book and its seven seals.’
6 And I saw between the throne (with the four living creatures) and the elders a Lamb standing, as if slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God, sent out into all the earth. 7 And He came and took the book out of the right hand of Him who sat on the throne.
8 When He had taken the book, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb, each one holding a harp and golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints. 9And they sang a new song, saying, ‘Worthy are You to take the book and to break its seals; for You were slain, and purchased for God with Your blood men from every tribe and tongue and people and nation. 10 You have made them to be a kingdom and priests to our God; and they will reign upon the earth.’
11 Then I looked, and I heard the voice of many angels around the throne and the living creatures and the elders; and the number of them was myriads of myriads, and thousands of thousands, 12 saying with a loud voice, ‘Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power and riches and wisdom and might and honor and glory and blessing.’ 13 And every created thing which is in heaven and on the earth and under the earth and on the sea, and all things in them, I heard saying, ‘To Him who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb, be blessing and honor and glory and dominion forever and ever.’ 14 And the four living creatures kept saying, ‘Amen.’ And the elders fell down and worshiped.”
We note, there was no one in heaven qualified to take the Scroll a.k.a. the title deed to the earth other than the Lamb of God because He alone redeemed man to God.
Now someone will say, yes this is all true, but man must believe. That is true, but what causes them to believe It is the work of the Holy Spirit. Consider John 16:5-14-
“5 But now I am going to Him who sent Me; and none of you asks Me, ‘Where are You going?’ ‘6But because I have said these things to you, sorrow has filled your heart. 7 But I tell you the truth, it is to your advantage that I go away; for if I do not go away, the Helper will not come to you; but if I go, I will send Him to you.8 And He, when He comes, will convict the world concerning sin and righteousness and judgment; 9concerning sin, because they do not believe in Me; 10 and concerning righteousness, because I go to the Father and you no longer see Me; 11 and concerning judgment, because the ruler of this world has been judged. 12 I have many more things to say to you, but you cannot bear them now. 13 But when He, the Spirit of truth, comes, He will guide you into all the truth; for He will not speak on His own initiative, but whatever He hears, He will speak; and He will disclose to you what is to come. 14 He will glorify Me, for He will take of Mine and will disclose it to you.”
It is God the Holy Spirit that convicts and convinces man of sin and his need of a savior. Beyond this, as seen above, it is God the Holy Spirit that causes man to become spiritually alive so he can believe and trust Jesus Christ for his or her salvation. It is all of God-Amen!
That said, man must choose to trust and follow God’s provision, Jesus Christ, they may even have a superficial desire to do so but because of his fallen nature and his love of the world’s allurements, he cannot. His fallen nature and love of the world must be overcome. He must turn from the desires of his flesh and the allurements of the world to God. But the desire to do so is not present withing Him. That desire must be created in him and that is a supernatural work, the work of the Holy Spirit. The apostle Peter writes that “God is not will that any perish but come to repentance (2nd Peter 3:9)” and the apostle Paul writes that it is the goodness of God that leads a person to repentance (Romans 2:4). Both quotations are taken from broader contexts, but the principle is applicable to this discussion.
Because of God’s goodness (Romans 2:4) toward man, He is not willing that any perish (2nd Peter 3:9) He has sent His Spirit (the Holy Spirit in to the world to convict and convince man of sin (John 16:7-11) and regenerates them to newness of Spiritual life (John 3:1-8; Ephesians 2:1-10) so they have a desire to turn from sin and become His loving followers, children if you will.
A good example of this is the apostle, Paul. Before he took the name Paul, his name was Saul and was a persecutor of the church. We read of him and his transition in the book of Acts, chapter 9:1-22; consider.
1 Then Saul, still breathing threats and murder against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest 2 and asked letters from him to the synagogues of Damascus, so that if he found any who were of the Way, whether men or women, he might bring them bound to Jerusalem. 3 As he journeyed he came near Damascus, and suddenly a light shone around him from heaven. 4 Then he fell to the ground, and heard a voice saying to him, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?” 5 And he said, “Who are You, Lord?” Then the Lord said, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. It is hard for you to kick against the goads.” 6 So he, trembling and astonished, said, “Lord, what do You want me to do?” Then the Lord said to him, “Arise and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.” 7 And the men who journeyed with him stood speechless, hearing a voice but seeing no one. 8 Then Saul arose from the ground, and when his eyes were opened he saw no one. But they led him by the hand and brought him into Damascus. 9 And he was three days without sight, and neither ate nor drank.
10 Now there was a certain disciple at Damascus named Ananias; and to him the Lord said in a vision, “Ananias.” And he said, “Here I am, Lord.”11 So the Lord said to him, “Arise and go to the street called Straight, and inquire at the house of Judas for one called Saul of Tarsus, for behold, he is praying. 12 And in a vision he has seen a man named Ananias coming in and putting his hand on him, so that he might receive his sight.” 13 Then Ananias answered, “Lord, I have heard from many about this man, how much harm he has done to Your saints in Jerusalem. 14 And here he has authority from the chief priests to bind all who call on Your name.” 15 But the Lord said to him, “Go, for he is a chosen vessel of Mine to bear My name before Gentiles, kings, and the children of Israel. 16 For I will show him how many things he must suffer for My name’s sake.”
17 And Ananias went his way and entered the house; and laying his hands on him he said, “Brother Saul, the Lord Jesus, who appeared to you on the road as you came, has sent me that you may receive your sight and be filled with the Holy Spirit.” 18 Immediately there fell from his eyes something like scales, and he received his sight at once; and he arose and was baptized. 19 So when he had received food, he was strengthened. Then Saul spent some days with the disciples at Damascus. 20 Immediately he preached the Christ in the synagogues, that He is the Son of God. 21 Then all who heard were amazed, and said, “Is this not he who destroyed those who called on this name in Jerusalem, and has come here for that purpose, so that he might bring them bound to the chief priests?” 22 But Saul increased all the more in strength, and confounded the Jews who dwelt in Damascus, proving that this Jesus is the Christ.
Even while Paul went about persecuting the church the Lord was convicting him that what he was doing was wrong, that what he was doing was not only against the church, but against Jesus Christ, the head of the church. This conviction brought him down and on the road to Damascus it finally caught up with him. Paul went on to be greatly used of the Lord in evangelism and the establishment of churches throughout parts of Asia, Europe, and the Greek Isles.
While your and my story may not match that of Paul’s, yet it is the same Holy Spirit that works in our lives to bring us to God as He did in Paul’s life. We are Christians because of the work of our triune God. Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Amen!
Steve