Scripture Reading: Ephesians 1:13;
I Peter 1:9
Are you saved? Those who have placed their faith in the finished work of Christ's death, burial and resurrection (I Corinthians 15:3-4) can confidently answer, "Yes! I am saved!"
One of the blessings of grace is the fact that our salvation is sealed the moment we believe: "In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that Holy Spirit of promise" (Ephesians 1:13). The proper sense of the words, "after that ye believed" is literally, "upon believing" (Gk. aorist tense). This means that your salvation was sealed by the Holy Spirit at the very moment and point in time that you believed. Praise the Lord for this blessed truth!
However, as the Apostle Peter writes to the Jewish "sojourners of the dispersion" (I Peter 1:1), who belonged to the kingdom program, he speaks of "Receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls" (I Peter 1:9). This is entirely in keeping with the principles our Lord taught as He ministered to the :lost sheep of the house of Israel" (Matthew 10:6). He reminded His disciples that "he that endured to the end shall be saved" (Matthew 10:22, cf. Matthew 24:13).
How important it is to explain this distinction to our "insecure" friends who may feel they cannot know for sure if they are saved until their death, of the Lord's return. Just as we must use the writings of Paul to properly understand the doctrine and calling of the Church, the Body of Christ, so we must be Pauline when it comes to understanding of salvation.
I Peter 1:9
Are you saved? Those who have placed their faith in the finished work of Christ's death, burial and resurrection (I Corinthians 15:3-4) can confidently answer, "Yes! I am saved!"
One of the blessings of grace is the fact that our salvation is sealed the moment we believe: "In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that Holy Spirit of promise" (Ephesians 1:13). The proper sense of the words, "after that ye believed" is literally, "upon believing" (Gk. aorist tense). This means that your salvation was sealed by the Holy Spirit at the very moment and point in time that you believed. Praise the Lord for this blessed truth!
However, as the Apostle Peter writes to the Jewish "sojourners of the dispersion" (I Peter 1:1), who belonged to the kingdom program, he speaks of "Receiving the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls" (I Peter 1:9). This is entirely in keeping with the principles our Lord taught as He ministered to the :lost sheep of the house of Israel" (Matthew 10:6). He reminded His disciples that "he that endured to the end shall be saved" (Matthew 10:22, cf. Matthew 24:13).
How important it is to explain this distinction to our "insecure" friends who may feel they cannot know for sure if they are saved until their death, of the Lord's return. Just as we must use the writings of Paul to properly understand the doctrine and calling of the Church, the Body of Christ, so we must be Pauline when it comes to understanding of salvation.
