The essential difference between false and true religion is this: All false religion makes salvation to be ultimately dependent upon and determined by the worth, work, or will of the sinner; whereas true religion declares, with Jonah, “Salvation is of the Lord!” In its planning, in its purchase, in its performance, in its preservation, and in its perfection, salvation is of the Lord. Here are five ways revealed in the Scriptures by which the sovereign God saves sinners.

1. GOD SAVED HIS ELECT BY HIS SOVEREIGN, ETERNAL PURPOSE OF GRACE IN CHRIST (II Tim. 1:9; Rom. 8:28-30). Election and predestination are precious truths of God, full of comfort to needy sinners. Had there been no election, none would be saved. Election is the infallible purpose of God to save some of Adam’s fallen race. And, in one sense, election is salvation. Is this not what Paul teaches in these two passages? In the mind and purpose of God all who shall be saved were saved from eternity!

2. GOD SAVED HIS ELECT BY HIS SON’S SIN-ATONING BLOOD (Rom. 5:8-9). The Lord Jesus Christ has, by the sacrifice of himself, forever justified all for whom he died. He put away our sins, satisfied the justice of God for sin, and obtained eternal redemption for us.

3. GOD SAVES SINNERS BY THE ALMIGHTY, IRRESISTIBLE REGENERATING GRACE AND POWER OF THE HOLY SPIRIT (Rom. 9:16; Eph. 2:1-5). To deny the irresistibility and efficacy of God’s grace in regeneration is to deny the total depravity and spiritual death of the sinner. Regeneration is a resurrection from spiritual death. It is necessarily God’s work alone.

4. GOD SAVES SINNERS BY HIS GRACIOUS GIFT OF FAITH IN CHRIST (Eph. 2:8-9). Our Lord said, to the woman of ill-repute, “Thy faith hath saved thee” (Lk. 9:50). Be sure you understand this: God will not save any apart from personal faith in Christ; and he will save all who believe on Christ (Mk. 16:16). Faith is the proof and fruit of election, redemption, and regeneration.

5. AND GOD WILL SAVE HIS ELECT BY HIS SON’S SECOND COMING IN THE RESURRECTION OF THE DEAD (Rom. 13:11). When Christ comes our salvation will be complete. In that glorious day we shall be perfectly conformed to our Redeemer, in body, soul, and spirit!              Don Fortner

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Posted in Author-Don Fortner Christ`s work successful, finished /Substitution/Salvation Effectual / Particular Atonement Election - of God unconditional Free Grace not Works Free Will works religion / The will Gospel Preaching/Proclamation Pictures and types True Gospel /False Gospel / warnings by admin Comments Off on How Does The God Of The Bible Save Sinners Jonah 2:9