The Order Of God’s Plan Of Salvation

Why do so many see just part of God’s plan of salvation, and neglect to see the whole picture? Many will read a few verses in the bible, and think they have found a loop hole that allows them to circumvent the will of God. God’s plan of salvation is contained in the sum of God’s Word, not just in part but in whole. Ps 119:160 Knowing this, let us look at the order of God’s plan of salvation:

God’s Gift of His Only Begotten Son

There could be no plan of salvation except it be that God loved the world so much that he gave his only begotten son. Jn 3:161 “In this the love of God was manifested toward us, that God has sent His only begotten Son into the world, that we might live through Him. In this is love, not that we loved God, but that He loved us and sent His Son to be the atonement for our sins.” John 4:9,10 “God commended his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners,”  Rom 5:8 If God had not given his Son to die for us, all else would be meaningless.

Jesus’ Death Upon The Cross and His Resurrection

Despite the fact that God gave his only Son to die for the sins of the world, it still took the obedience of his Son, Jesus Christ, to actually come and die such a cruel and inhumane  death upon the cross of Calvary. “Being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross.” Philip 2:8   Jesus said unto them, If God were your Father, ye would love me: for I proceeded forth and came from God; neither came I of myself, but he sent me.” John 8:42 Some falsely teach that Christ paid it all and that we have nothing more to do in regards to our salvation. Jesus disagreed! Jesus said, “Greater love has no one than this, than to lay down one’s life for his friends.  You are My friends if you do whatever I command you.” John 15:13-14  If Jesus did all that is needed for our salvation, then why the obedience? It’s really simple. God loved the world that he gave his son. Jesus loved God so much that he became obedient to the cross. If we love Christ we will give our life to him by our obedience to the gospel of Christ. Jn 14:15

Hearing and Understanding

Jesus said to the Pharisees who taught for doctrine the commandments of men, “Hear and understand.” Until we hear the gospel we can’t be saved. Philip asked the Eunuch, “Understand what you read”?” He said, “How can I except some man should guide me” Act 8:30,31 We must hear and understand the gospel which Paul preached: “Moreover, brethren, I declare to you the gospel which I preached to you, which also you received and in which you stand,  by which also you are saved, if you hold fast that word which I preached to you — unless you believed in vain. For I delivered to 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 that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures,” 1 Cor 15:1-4 “How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher?” Rom 10:14-15

Saved By Faith

It is impossible to be saved without faith. We must believe that Jesus is the Christ the Son of God in order to be pleasing unto God. Heb 11:6 Paul said, “By grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast.”Eph 2:8,9 Yet those who think they have found the “A Workless Faith” need to keep two things in mind. First, the bible never said one is saved by “faith only”. Secondly they need to read the very next verse which says, “We are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for “good works”, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.” Eph 2:10

Even faith itself was defined by Jesus as a work of God. Jesus answered and said to them, “This is the work of God, that you believe in Him whom He sent.” Jn 6:29 Despite the fact that many ignorantly think “faith only” saves, the scriptures refute it. James said, “You see then that a man is justified by works, and not by faith only.” Jam 2:24  As the demons who believe in Jesus will be lost, so also those who believe without works shall be lost. Jam 2:19 Faith without works is dead as much as the body without the spirit is dead. Jam 2:20,26

Saved By Confession

Until one confesses this belief with the mouth before faithful men, they can’t be saved. Paul said, “If you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.” Rom 10:9-10 If we confess Jesus before men, Jesus will confess us before His heavenly Father.  If we deny Christ, he will be deny of us before God come the day of judgment. Mt 10:32, 33 Therefore, we must believe with the heart and confess with the mouth that Jesus is the Christ in order to be saved.

Saved By Repentance

Faith does not remove sins. Therefore, faith only can’t save anyone. No one is saved in their sins. Jesus said, “Except you repent you shall all likewise perish.” Lk 13:3 Peter on the day of Pentecost was asked, “Men and brethren what shall we do?” Then Peter said to them,”Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.” Acts 2:38 The apostle Paul said, “Truly, these times of ignorance God overlooked, but now commands all men everywhere to repent, because He has appointed a day on which He will judge the world in righteousness by the Man whom He has ordained.” Acts 17:30-31

Saved By Baptism

Repentance without baptism is as useless as lathering up with soap, and not washing it off. Once one has repented of their sins, baptism washes the sins away. Ananias said to Saul, “Now why are you waiting? Arise and be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on the name of the Lord.” Acts 22:16 In order to become a Christian, one must be baptized into death of Christ, just as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we should walk in the newness of life. Rom 6:3,4 f; Gal 3:27 Jesus said that belief and baptism saves. Mk 16:16 Peter said baptism saves us today. 1 Pet 3:21

Saved By Faithfulness

Jesus said, “If you continue in my word, then are you my disciples (a Christian Acts 11:26) indeed. Jn 8:31 Faithfulness is the last step of salvation, and is also the hardest to accomplish. Christians must be faithful in their worship to God. “Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching.” Heb 10:25 Christians must be faithful to abide by the doctrine of Christ. 2 Jn 9 Christians must be faithful to study God’s Word. “Study to show yourself approved unto God, a (WORKMAN) that needs not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.” 2 Tim 2:15 Christians must be faithful to preach and teach the Word of God. “Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all long suffering and doctrine.” 2 Tim 4:2 Christians must be faithful to prove, contend and defend the Word of God. 1 Thess 5:21 ff; Jude 3; Philip 1:15-18 Christians must be faithful to endure hardships, trials and persecutions. 2 Tim 2:3 f; Jam 1:12 Christians must be faithful unto death. Rev 2:10 As the beloved Paul said, “Consider what I say, and may the Lord give you understanding in all things.” 2 Tim 2:7