"Among them we too all formerly lived in the lusts of our flesh, indulging the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, even as the rest." Ephesians 2:3

Is it possible to be saved without knowing you're lost? Fortunately, God answers this question for most of us since we have a clear memory of who we were prior to being born again, thus knowing for certain that we were, in fact, lost.

The reality of the Gospel is that without Jesus Christ the entire human race would be destined for eternal damnation. (Romans 3:10) None of us would merit a moment, let alone eternity, with God. Knowing this, how many of us still refuse to surrender all to Jesus Christ? We might be saved, but are we living the sanctified life which allows Jesus to shine through us to others?

Because Jesus lives we can call heaven home. Because Jesus lives death has lost its sting. (1 Corinthians 15:54-58) Will we live this day with the assurance and peace of one who will spend eternity in heaven with God? If we don't, then we deny the inheritance of the Kingdom. (Romans 8:16-17)

Onward Christian soldiers!

Bob Benson
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from My Utmost For His Highest. . .

October 28

Justification by Faith

If when we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life —Romans 5:10

I am not saved by believing—I simply realize I am saved by believing. And it is not repentance that saves me—repentance is only the sign that I realize what God has done through Christ Jesus. The danger here is putting the emphasis on the effect, instead of on the cause. Is it my obedience, consecration, and dedication that make me right with God? It is never that! I am made right with God because, prior to all of that, Christ died. When I turn to God and by belief accept what God reveals, the miraculous atonement by the Cross of Christ instantly places me into a right relationship with God. And as a result of the supernatural miracle of God’s grace I stand justified, not because I am sorry for my sin, or because I have repented, but because of what Jesus has done. The Spirit of God brings justification with a shattering, radiant light, and I know that I am saved, even though I don’t know how it was accomplished.

The salvation that comes from God is not based on human logic, but on the sacrificial death of Jesus. We can be born again solely because of the atonement of our Lord. Sinful men and women can be changed into new creations, not through their repentance or their belief, but through the wonderful work of God in Christ Jesus which preceded all of our experience (see 2 Corinthians 5:17-19 ). The unconquerable safety of justification and sanctification is God Himself. We do not have to accomplish these things ourselves—they have been accomplished through the atonement of the Cross of Christ. The supernatural becomes natural to us through the miracle of God, and there is the realization of what Jesus Christ has already done—"It is finished!" ( John 19:30 ).

Amen!

"If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross and follow Me." Matthew 16:24