God's Gift of Salvation

Never, no never, should we accept and believe that which denies God His glory, and makes Christ's salvation dependent upon what man does. Let us avoid all teachings which are a modern form of Satan's lie to Adam and Eve, that man can by his works become a god.

Our works do not determine whether we are going to obtain salvation. Our salvation, as God's work, determines whether we are those whom Christ saves. We need to be saved from the lack of interest in salvation. God must and does give to His elect even the desire for salvation. If we desire salvation we have the evidence that God has already begun that work in us, and will finish it when Christ returns. A very important truth which God gave us through Paul is found in Philippians 2: 13 . There we read, "For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure."

Note that all that God works in us is not due to what we gave Him. HE works in us to will as well as to do. We believe and want salvation; but it is God Who makes us want that salvation. He gives us all of our faith. Notice carefully that Paul says that God works in us, and that we must work out that salvation. God commands us to believe, but He also gives us the desire and power to do so. Note that God through Paul here tells us that He works in us to will as well as to do of His good pleasure. Before we can will and believe, God has already caused us to be born again. He does not wait to see whether spiritually dead people will believe and "accept" salvation.

Be careful then and take a strong hold on the truth that even our desire for salvation is God's gift to us. WE cannot give God anything that He has not already given us. In Him we live and move and have our being, physically but also spiritually.

Read: Philippians 2:1-12

Daily Meditations on the Heidelberg Catechism

Through the Bible in One Year
Read today:
Daniel 5:1-31 
2 Peter 2:1-22 
Psalm 119:113-128 
Proverbs 28:19-20 
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Quote for Reflection:

"God the Father not only gives his Son but also pours out his Spirit. The reference is to Pentecost (Acts 2:17 , 18, 33). Organically speaking, the Spirit was poured out upon the church of the present and of the future; for, that Spirit having once established his personal residence in the church, never leaves it again. Hence, Paul can say, ‘whom he poured out upon us.’"   ~ William Hendriksen on Titus 3:6