Salvation - Separation - Service

Bible Discernment

Salvation – Separation – Service

d_jjackson@hotmail.com


The apostle Paul, who is the apostle to us Gentiles, tells us how we are approved of God, to wit:

“Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman who needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” 2 Timothy 2:15

We are to study the Word of God and we must rightly divide it. We must distinguish between Israel [earthy] and the Body of Christ [heavenly]. This paper will set forth the principle of “right division” in Salvation, Separation, and Service of the believer in the Lord Jesus Christ in this dispensation of the grace of God.

The Word of God calls us to Salvation – Separation – Service -


Salvation:

Paul relates how God feels about all mankind in the matter of salvation: “….this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.” 1 Timothy 2:3,4. He goes on to say: “For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man, Christ Jesus, who gave Himself a ransom for all to be testified in due time.” 1 Timothy 2:5,6.

Notice that this ransom paid by the Lord Jesus Christ was for all, but was to be testified “in due time.” This “due time” would be when Paul comes upon the scene. We don’t have the preaching of the cross as good news until Paul. We can “rightly divide” the Word of truth here by contrasting this verse with Matthew 26:28 [the Lord Jesus is speaking], “For this is My blood of the new testament, which is shed for many for the remission of sins.” This verse agrees with what the prophet Isaiah wrote in chapter 53 verse 8: “…….for the transgressions of my people [Israel] was He stricken.” The “He” is the Lord Jesus Christ.

What is the plan of salvation in this “dispensation of the grace of God? Paul writes: “Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and in which ye stand. By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain. For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures; And that He was buried and rose again the third day according to the Scriptures.” 1 Corinthians 15:1-4. That is the simple plan of salvation in a nutshell. How does man receive this salvation? “In whom ye also trusted, after ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in whom also after ye believed, ye were sealed with that Holy Spirit of promise.” Ephesians 1:13. When the Philippian jailer asked, “…what must I do to be saved?” He was told to, “believe on the Lord Jesus Christ…” Acts 16:31.


In other dispensations God required some work of faith. The Israelite was to bring an animal for sacrifice. When we come to John the Baptist and our Lord’s earthly ministry, and the gospel of the kingdom to Israel, water baptism was the required work of faith. Please see Mark 1:4 [“baptism of repentance for the remission of sins”]; Luke 7:29,30 shows us that this baptism was not optional. Those who heard John the Baptist were justified by God when they submitted to John’s baptism. Those who heard and rejected John’s baptism were not saved. Mark 16:16, [“…..he that believeth and is baptized shall be saved…..” ]; Acts 2:38 [“…repent and be baptized ….for the remission of sins,…..”] Note that this is the same verbiage used in Mark 1:4. This is the gospel of the kingdom for Israel, not the gospel of the grace of God for the body of Christ. Saul of Tarsus was saved under this program when he was told by a “devout man according to the Law “ to, “….arise and be baptized and wash away thy sins….” Acts 22:16. James, who writes to Israel [the 12 tribes scattered abroad] mentions works of faith in chapter 2 verses 14-20. In this dispensation of the grace of God works are not required as acts of faith [Romans 4:4,5; Ephesians 2:8,9; Titus 3:5]. We must understand that the works did not save, the faith did. But God required the works as a manifestation of that faith.

In this dispensation, the only requirement for salvation is “believe on the Lord Jesus Christ.” That is faith, too.


Separation:

Charles Haddon Spurgeon had much to say about “Separation.”

“Neither when we have chosen our way can we keep company with those who go the other way. There must come with decision for truth a corresponding protest against error.” C.H.S., The Sword and the Trowel, September 1887.

“Believers in Christ’s atonement are now declared in union with those who make light of it; believers in Holy Scripture are in confederacy with those who deny plenary inspiration; those who hold evangelical doctrine are in open alliance with those who call the Fall a fable, who deny the personality of the Holy Ghost, who call justification by faith immoral, and hold that there is another probation after death…. Yes, we have before us the wretched spectacle of professedly orthodox Christians publicly avowing their union with those who deny the faith, and scarcely concealing their contempt for those who can not be guilty of such gross disloyalty to Christ. To be very plain, we are unable to call these things Christian Unions, they begin to look like Confederacies in Evil… It is our solemn conviction that where there can be no real spiritual communion there should be no pretense of fellowship. Fellowship with known and vital error is participation in sin.” C.H.S., The Sword and the Trowel, November 1887.

“The day will come when those who think they can repair a house which has no foundation will see the wisdom in quitting it altogether. All along we have said that to come out from association with questionable doctrines is the only possible solution of a difficulty which, however it may be denied, is not to be trifled with by those who are conscious of its terrible reality.” C.H.S., The Sword and the Trowel, July, 1889.

“Complicity with error will take from the best of men the power to enter any successful protest against it. … Fellowship with known and vital error is participation in sin… As soon as I saw, or thought I saw, that error had become firmly established, I did not deliberate, but quitted the body at once. Since then my counsel has been ‘Come out from among them.’ I have felt that no protest could be equal to that of distinct separation from known evil. … That I might not stultify my testimony I have cut myself clear of those who err from the faith, and even from those who associate with them.” C.H.S., The Sword and the Trowel.

Today in Christendom we have many denominations and sects. Most have departed from the faith which was once delivered to the saints. A false gospel is the norm. Ministers deny the Word of God. A strange mixture of the gospel of the kingdom and the gospel of the grace of God is preached. But, like oil and water, these do not mix [I am aware of emulsions].

The apostle Paul paints a dark picture of apostasy in the final days of the church-age. “Now the Spirit speaketh expressly that, in the latter times, some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of demons. Speaking lies in hypocrisy, having their conscience seared with a hot iron, forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from meats, which God hath created to be received with thanksgiving by them who believe and know the truth. 1 Timothy 4:1-3. “This know, also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good. Traitors, heady, high-minded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God. Having a form of godliness, but denying the power of it, from such turn away. “ 2 Timothy 3:1-5.

Finally, Paul instructs us to: ….. Wherefore, come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you, … 1 Corinthians 6:17.

“But God forbid that I should glory, except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world.” Galatians 6:14.


Service:

Paul clearly tells us: “… we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.” Ephesians 2:10. Peter says, “For so is the will of God, that with well-doing ye may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men.” 1 peter 2:15.

Believers in the church-age have been given the wonderful privilege of being ambassadors for the Lord Jesus Christ. An ambassador represents his sovereign, in this case, the Lord Jesus Christ. 2 Corinthians 5:16-21.

We should be trained to be ambassadors. Paul says that the pastor/teacher is to train and equip us to do the work of the ministry. Ephesians 4:11, 12.

We are to witness to this so great salvation. We are to preach the word of reconciliation to the lost. 2 Corinthians 5:18, 19.

We are to proclaim His soon return to catch us away. 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18.

We should be waiting: 1 Thessalonians 1:10.

Watching: 1 Thessalonians 5:6.

Looking for Him: Titus 2:13.

Loving His appearing: 2 Timothy 4:8.

Putting one another in remembrance: 1 Timothy 4:6.

Exhorting one another as we see the day approaching: Hebrews 10:25

The last prayer in the Bible is, “…even so, come Lord Jesus.”