Truth About Salvation

TRUTH ABOUT SALVATION

Very few believers possess any acceptable understanding or depth of the truth of what Redemption and Salvation really are and what is their respective scope, process, purpose and final result or fruit. I praise the Lord Jesus Christ and thank Him for this opportunity to share my faith, understanding and living experiences which He has been granting me and enlarging within me since the beginning of my own redemption.

I am asking the Spirit of the Lord to guide me in expressing my faith and understanding in the way, which would be profitable to any believer seeking the truth, seeking explanations to the numberless problems and divisions in Christianity as well as to his own possible problems and frustrations. God’s guidance will also enable me to be brief and clear on this most important issue of His Church. Yes, I believe that this is the most important issue of the Church and decides the direction, quality and future life of every true believer.

I also believe that because of its importance, our enemies – the powers of darkness – do everything possible to hide the truth about man’s Full Salvation. These powers have succeeded to an unbelievable degree in hiding the truth and deceiving believers of all kinds and denominations around the world. Their chief tactics have always been not to focus on the millions of “church-goers, the sheep” but on the small number of shepherds, who are “feeding the sheep” and whom the sheep follow and trust. Very clever and economic way to affect the whole Church and to make sure that the chief purpose and desire of Our God is effectively frustrated and prevented. Let us, therefore, seek the Truth and Light about this most important issue together with the Spirit of Our Lord Jesus Christ.

There are two basic stages of man’s Full Salvation, which may be clearly distinguished in the Word of God and also discerned in many believers by those who have spiritual discernment. The two stages of the Full Salvation differ from one another as to their scope, purpose and final result and they are the following:

A) Redemption (salvation of man’s spirit)

B) Salvation (salvation of man’s soul)

We will now take each stage separately and attempt to define it, its scope, purpose and final result by the Scripture according to the Mind and Heart of God Our Heavenly Father. We are able to do this by His Spirit Who dwells in us for that specific purpose – to accomplish in us fully and completely this Full Salvation of Our God. The Spirit Alone searches the deep things of God and reveals them unto us; otherwise, we would know nothing because by our created (Adamic) nature we cannot receive the things of God. (1Cor. 2:10-12) Let us, therefore, depend solely on the Spirit of God and receive from Him what He desires to reveal to us so that we would see, understand and do our part of what God desires and what our Full Salvation really requires.

A) REDEMPTION

In the old Roman Empire when a slave was sold and bought at the slave market, he legally and practically changed his owner. Yet, after being bought, he remained exactly the same in his inner features, character, nature, as well as his outer features, appearance. Unless the new owner had him washed, clothed with a new clothing and perhaps even educated, the slave would have remained totally unchanged and exactly the same as he was before he was bought.

When Adam and Eve separated themselves from God through their sin of disobedience, they lost His Presence and Spirit (Gen. 3:22-24) and acquired the presence and spirit of Satan to whom they yielded to obey and thus to serve him. (Rom. 6:16) They changed their ownership from God to Satan and acquired the nature of Satan! All the future earthly kingdoms of the children of Adam and Eve would from thereon belong to Satan. (Mt. 4:8-9)

The chief purpose of Redemption is to change man’s ownership from Satan back to God. This was accomplished by Christ Jesus Who redeemed us back to God by offering His Life, which is to say, His Blood as the payment. (Rev. 5:9, 1Pet. 1:18-19, Lev. 17:14, Deut. 12:23) The world had been a vast “slave market” and the Lord Jesus was, as it were, a Merchant seeking “goodly slaves” and willing to pay even all that He had. (Mt. 13:44-46)

From God’s viewpoint, the Lord legally redeemed the whole mankind, which is also attested to by the word “whosoever” in Jn. 3:16. In reality though, the only truly redeemed from the world are the “called-out ones”, the Church, “the pearl of great price”.

The first step in our Redemption starts with using our initial measure of faith given to every man. (Rom. 12:3) This faith enables us to overcome our pride, become sober, see ourselves as (helpless) sinners and repent from our sins. This first step of repentance was also the very first message the Lord began to preach. (Mt. 4:17).

The second step of our Redemption is by faith confessing the Lord Jesus Christ and believing in our heart that God had raised Him up from the dead. (Rom. 10:9, Eph. 2:8) This step of ours causes the Spirit of God to come back to His seat in our spirit (nucleus, see page B2) where He was in Adam and Eve before their fall. Thus, we are “born again” by the Spirit of God (Jn. 3:3-7) and our ownership is changed from Satan back to God.

The third step in our Redemption is water baptism. This baptism represents our willingness to die to this world and to our old selves, old creation, old satanic nature and to be separated from it by being buried (submerged into water – Rom. 6:4, Col. 2:12). Then to rise up as a new creature in newness, holiness and Christ’s nature (rising up from water – 2Cor. 5:17, Gal. 6:15). The baptism thus incorporates both the Cross and Resurrection of Our Lord Jesus Christ. The Lord Himself was baptized (Mt. 3:16) to give us a prophetic picture of His future way of Redemption and Salvation and also an example for us to follow. Apostle Peter expresses the same matter of repentance and baptism when he counselled those Jews who believed that God had made Him Whom they crucified both Lord and Christ. To them Peter gives the same steps: “repent and be baptized... and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.” (Acts 2:36-38)

The above three steps constitute the scope of Redemption. This stage may also be called the “transfer of man’s ownership”, also the “salvation of man’s spirit”, or “reviving of man’s spirit” or “rebirth of man’s spirit”. The purpose of this stage is to facilitate the transfer of sinful and corrupt man, slave of Satan, from Satan back to God. Then to prepare such a believer for the next stage, which is the “salvation of man’s soul”, or “recreation of man’s soul”, or “reviving -rebirth of man’s soul”, or “transformation of man’s soul.”

The final result of this stage of Redemption provides God with “slaves” who are fully bought, taken out of the “market place” and who are willing to be cleansed, changed and transformed into His sons and daughters. They are thus willing to be prepared to enter the House of God, their new Master and Owner and Father!

This is Redemption, its scope, purpose and final result and it is the beginning of Salvation and not its end. The Words of God referred to above (among many others), my faith and own long experience all testify to this fact.

B) SALVATION

This stage follows our Redemption and leads us through a “straight gate” onto a “narrow road”, which leads to Life Eternal, which is God’s Life, to reign also in our soul. (Mt. 7:13-14) This is the only way for any soul to be transformed into the Image of Jesus Christ, to acquire His Nature. (Rom. 8:29) Also, this is the Will of God for man from the very beginning when God created man in His Image! (Gen. 1:26) Therefore, when man has no Image of God also in his soul cannot satisfy the Heart of God and has no place in Heaven.

Though we may call this stage the “salvation-recreation-reviving-rebirth-transformation of man’s soul”, we are always dealing with the soul of man who already belongs to God but is yet dead, sinful and totally unacceptable to Him in its evil nature. Why is it unacceptable?

Firstly, such a soul is yet soaked in, governed and guided by the nature of Satan. It is proud, corrupt, arrogant, selfish, filthy, rebellious, stubborn, fearful, doubtful, lustful, greedy, envious, unreliable, unholy, self-willed, self-guided and evil - all these are in the Scripture also called “flesh” – the nature of Satan and of man! This flesh has become a “permanent tenant” in man’s natural soul since Adam and Eve acquired this nature of Satan in the Garden of Eden.

Secondly, the Spirit of the Lord only came to our spirit (at our redemption) and not to our soul. He dwells and reigns only in our spirit (page B2) while in our soul reigns the flesh, that is, death. We were born again, recreated, revived in our spirit only and not in our soul! Being an enemy of God, our “flesh lusts (fights) against the Spirit and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary the one to the other, so that you cannot do the things that you (otherwise) would.” (Gal. 5:17) This is that “war” between the Spirit and fleshly soul in the personality of every true born-again believer.

That is why “freshly” redeemed believers and all those older ones who refuse to “go on unto perfection” are all fleshly, carnal, and not spiritual! (Rom. 7:14 and 8:7, 1Cor. 3:1-3) The source of their life and deeds is the flesh of their soul (emotions, intellect, volition) where the Spirit of the Lord neither dwells nor reigns. The natural ability of a fleshly soul to acquire intellectual knowledge of the Scripture, doctrines, facts and purposes or to tell good from evil, to pray, to give offerings, to worship or do good does not make any believer spiritual. You may read, know and understand the whole Bible (and give all your goods to the poor) and still be lost!

Such a believer still feeds from the “tree of knowledge of good and evil” available in the flesh of his soul, and not from the “Tree of Life” available in his spirit. The desire of such a fleshly soul to serve God based on his knowledge is, therefore, not acceptable to God since such a soul himself is not acceptable to Him.

This most important fact also means that even receiving the Holy Spirit into our spirit and thus becoming His temple (1Cor. 6:19) is not sufficient! God may yet destroy such believer if he keeps defiling God’s holy temple through his filthy-fleshly soul being deceived in himself. (1Cor. 3:16-20) God desires that we would become His sons and daughters through partaking of His Holiness – His Nature – His Image – into our soul. (Heb. 12:10) Then we will become blameless, holy and fully acceptable to God in our own human trinity – spirit, soul and body. (1Thess. 5:23)

At our redemption, the Holy Spirit brings this potential into our spirit. But if we rebel and keep refusing God’s chastening and scourging then we are bastards and not sons! This is established in the Word of God quite clearly. (Heb. 12:5-11, 15-17)

Therefore, in this second stage of our Salvation, the Spirit of God desires to dwell and reign also in our soul making it holy. He thus moves to purify and renew our soul: our heart (Jer. 17:9-10), our mind (Eph. 4:22-24) and our will (Phil. 2:13)! There are innumerable passages in the New Testament showing ever clearly this fact, the way it is accomplished and its final and desired fruit.

Please note, this process, this “war” is not without suffering, anguish, grief and tears! If, therefore, any one tells you that “your war” is over, that you should just sit back and enjoy your salvation – he is a liar – even if he were your pastor or elder! If you think that as long as you attend some “church services”, listen to a preacher, pray, “worship”, sing, even laugh or have a good time – and you have never shed tears over yourself, never denied your old devilish nature – you are already deceived! if hell had no chance to get us back by deceiving us, they would not waste their efforts with us. (Mt. 24:24, 2Tim. 2:26, Rev. 12:9, etc.)

Let us explore the Word of God, His Mind and Heart on this vital matter by considering some important examples.

1) Let us start with one typical and important example described by Apostle Paul in chapters 6 and 7 of his second letter to the church in Corinth. We will only highlight the words, which pertain to the “salvation of man’s soul” as the necessary continuation of the “salvation of man’s spirit – redemption”.

a) Apostle Paul writes to born-again, redeemed believers in Corinth who were revived in their spirit and are now supposed to continue in the revival-recreation-renewal-salvation of their soul.

b) Paul calls them “my children” (2Cor. 6:13) which also signifies their state of immaturity, a state of unrenewed, rebellious, stubborn, foolish, dark and dead soul – dead in terms of lacking God’s Life, which is presently only in their spirit.

c) Paul tells them that they are unequally yoked together with unbelievers and that light has no communion with darkness. (2Cor. 6:14)

d) Then he tells them that they were the temple of the living God, which testifies to their being born-again by His Spirit (2Cor. 6:16) and His Spirit was dwelling in their spirit.

e) And then Paul tells them that IF they come out from among the unbelievers and become separate and touch not the unclean thing… the Lord will receive them and will be a Father unto them and they shall be His sons and daughters – says the Lord Almighty! (2Cor. 6:17-18)

Well, what does this point e) truly mean? The Lord Almighty tells them that though they are born-again and are His temple, He has not received them as yet, He is not their Father as yet and they are not His sons and daughters as yet! Do consider this Light and Truth in your heart.

f) Then Paul counsels them plainly “Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved (to be received by the Lord and to become sons and daughters to God Who then becomes our Father), let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.” (2Cor. 7:1) “Flesh” is briefly described in the third paragraph of this section B (page 4).

There is a deeper truth concerning also point c) above and it is the following. When Paul mentions unbelievers and darkness, he does not necessarily point to their pagan friends in Corinth. He also means their own brethren within the church who are redeemed but otherwise do not believe what God (through Paul) tells them and continue sinning. There is, therefore, unbelief and darkness in their souls, they love it that way and have no intention to change their ways.

It is worth repeating that any born-again, redeemed believer who despises the Truth of God and His chastisement is not His son, but a bastard. (Heb. 12:5-8) Our God Almighty will never be a Father to bastards – rebellious children – seeing that in His sight, rebellion is as a sin of witchcraft! (1Sam. 15:23) What communion has Thrice Holy God with witchcraft? The darkness and unbelief in point c) are thus also to be viewed as those dwelling and ruling in the unrenewed, dark and dead souls of the born-again Corinthian believers.

Every born-again believer, who keeps fellowship with the world and walks the ways of this world, has a soul, which is unbelieving and full of darkness (“birds of a feather flock together”). The Light and Life of Our Father is only being granted to those born-again believers who are willing to hear and obey that Light and live that Life, or are at least willing to learn to live that Life. (Mk. 4:24) The rest of the born-again believers only “know about that Life” and think they have it, but they do not.

2) This second example concerns the same church in Corinth, yet, it deserves to be a separate point and to be seriously pondered in its gravity and tragedy by all believers. Paul compares Corinthian believers to Israel in the wilderness and warns them about the same consequences that happened to Israel. (1Cor. 10:1-12)

Israel – the chosen people of God, the Old Testament Church – was destroyed and perished in the wilderness by the decision of their God! They were saved by the blood of the Lamb, baptized in the waters of the Red Sea and walking through the wilderness toward their Promised Land. Their journey was to take 9 days, but they never arrived – except for two from the original congregation, Joshua and Caleb! Why? Because these two were the only ones who had a different spirit and who walked by faith. The rest of them murmured, provoked God and did not believe Him. So they perished. (Num. 13:25-33 + 14:1-38) Shall we take it lightly? Has God changed His mind or ways since that time? NO! (Heb. 13:8)

The Church of today is in a similar condition spiritually. Believers are saved by the blood of the Lamb, baptized in water and walking through the wilderness of this world to their Kingdom of Heaven. Most of them murmur, provoke God and do not believe Him or follow His Word. Though they are the children of the Kingdom, they will never arrive – except for those who have a different spirit and who walk by faith. (Mt. 8:10-12)

3) Another important example is the Word of God found in Paul’s letter to Philippians where the Apostle, again, very clearly tells them to “…work out your own salvation with fear and trembling”! (Phil. 2:12) Now, the same Paul writes to Ephesus that “by grace are you saved… not of works (our efforts), lest any man should boast.” (Eph. 2:8-9) Is this then a contradiction? Well, not at all. The Word in Ephesians attests to our redemption, being born again by the Spirit of God, which no man can secure for himself through any work or effort of his own. We may only be redeemed by faith through God’s Grace and the redemption is the gift of God. It is after the last step of Redemption – water baptism – when the Spirit is given to us as a gift of God – for the purpose of being saved also in our soul (see also Acts 2:38).

It is thus quite clear that the Word in Phil. 2:12 pertains to the salvation of our soul and we ought to do it with fear and trembling because we must do it in cooperation with God Almighty. God works in us by His Spirit chiefly in our (free) will so that we would be willing to do HIS good pleasure. (Phil. 2:13) His good pleasure is the salvation-recreation-reviving-renewal and transformation of our soul to the Image of Jesus Christ, His firstborn Son. (Rom. 8:29) God has no greater pleasure and no greater aim with us than this!

4) This fourth example is closely tied with the above one and also clearly proves it. In the Book of Revelation, chapters 2 and 3, Jesus Christ, the Son of God speaks to His Church in a judgmental way. He clearly divides all the born-again and redeemed believers in His Church into two groups: (1) those that overcome and (2) all the others. His judgment always touches one principal aspect in the life and state of His believers. It always points to the salvation of their soul, to the presence or absence of His Life in their soul, which also determines the deeds of their soul. (Rev. chapters 2 and 3)

The Lord brings forth the characteristics of every church and their deeds, then judges their deeds and then gives His final verdict and promise. We will not analyze the two chapters, rather, we will, again, highlight what is important therein to enlighten the truth about the “salvation of man’s soul”.

We should see two types of a very serious judgment, which the Lord pronounces to most of the seven churches:

a) “Repent, or else...”, which is to say “turn away from your own ways, do not continue on them but follow Me, otherwise, I would have to take drastic steps, serious measures”. An example of such a drastic step or serious measure is being removed from His Presence, which takes place when the candlestick is removed out of his place. (Rev. 2:5)

b) “He that overcomes… I will not blot out his name out of the book of life…”! (Rev. 3:5)

Well, what does this point b) truly mean? This is the most serious warning and judgment of the Lord Himself where he signifies that those born-again believers in his church who will keep refusing to overcome (be changed) will lose their salvation! To be blotted out of the Book of Life means to be cast into the lake of fire, which is the second death and eternal condemnation! (Rev. 20:14-15) Do we take this lightly?

This is the truth that hell tries to cover up with all their might and will fight against it with any arguments. this is where multitudes of believers are plainly and deeply deceived. Rather than believe the direct word and judgment of their savior, many believers would put their life and future in eternity at stake “debating” this point and using human reasons and arguments against it! What a stupidity and tragedy within the Church of Jesus Christ!

5) The fifth example, which absolutely proves the truth in the above example 4), is in the Book of Hebrews. Paul is beseeching believers, almost pleading with them saying, “…let us go on unto perfection;”. (Heb. 6:1) Since our spirit is perfected by the Spirit of God Who dwells therein and since our body will be perfected at our resurrection (or rapture, whichever comes first for us – 1Cor. 15: 52), it is clearly our soul that needs perfecting. Paul is thus pleading that we should not dwell in our doctrines constantly repeating things or enlarging our knowledge (preaching, teaching, remembering, researching, debating, discussing, arguing), but that we must go beyond that stage and cleanse our soul from all filthiness of flesh. Again, “flesh” is briefly described in the third paragraph of this section B (page 4).

Paul’s plea is followed by his sorrowful declarations in verses 4 through 6, which underline his grave concerns about those believers who refuse to “go on unto perfection”, to lose their old evil nature. Such believers also refuse the explicit command of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ stated in Mt. 5:48! What is the gravity of this matter? Well, it is quite clear that any born-again believer who keeps refusing to “go on unto perfection”, which is to say, to be cleansed, renewed, recreated, revived and perfected in his soul will remain in an ever increasing danger of falling away. (Heb. 6:6) Falling away also means crossing the line of no return!

Falling away from what? Falling away from the enlightenment, heavenly gifts, partaking of the Holy Spirit, Word of God and the powers of the world to come, all of which things every true born-again believer had already tasted. (Heb. 6:4-5) If you have never tasted these above things, you are not born-again!

Such a believer cannot be renewed unto repentance, cannot be saved again, cannot be redeemed again! His falling away equals being blotted out of the Book of Life! He refused to work out his own salvation, to save and transform his soul in cooperation with God. This is the gravity of the matter. We are now talking about the eternal Life or eternal damnation of a born-again believer!

Every believer who has never decided in his heart to “go on unto perfection” is always in this danger no matter how religious he may appear, what he knows, how much good he is doing or trying to do. He may attend a “church”, give tithe and offerings, pray, sing, “worship” and do many good deeds. All that he is doing may be done with good intentions and sincerety – but it is done in the sincerety of his old nature and thus in a wrong and unacceptable spirit. The Lord judges the spirits. (Pr. 16:2) Deeds of a filthy soul cannot be clean and acceptable to a Holy God! The Lord provides more light on this fact in His example with Cain (see point 7. below).

6) The whole New Testament deals with the matter of man’s Full Salvation – spirit, soul and body. (1Thess. 5:23) Therefore, there must be innumerable other examples to show. Let us diligently consider one more important example from the New Testament in our hearts and minds, which is contained in very few words pronounced by the Lord Himself. The Lord said: “If any one (believer) will (decide to) follow me, let him deny himself (his old evil self-life), and take up his (own) cross and follow me. For whosoever will save his life (keep his old self-life) shall lose it; and whosoever will lose his life (old self-life) for my sake shall find it (new Life of God in his soul).” (Mt. 16:24-25)

Firstly, the above Lord’s Word clearly shows that no man can live two lives at the same time, which means, the old life of his soul (self-life) and the new Life of God, Life Eternal, which is in believer’s spirit. We may start gaining the Life of God from our spirit into our soul only when we, in cooperation with God, decide and start losing the old self-life in our soul by denying it! You must first move old furniture out before moving new furniture in!

Secondly, the above Lord’s Word clearly declares that we cannot have the new Life – resurrection Life – without taking up our own cross! Believers dream in color if they think or believe that they may live the Life of God in their soul without any cross. The Lord would have never been resurrected had He not died on His Cross first! Why do we think that we can?

7) The Old Testament does not deal directly with the questions and aspects of the “salvation of man’s spirit and man’s soul”, their scopes, purposes and final fruits. Yet, it can shed considerable light on the matter of the old soul and its performance through many of the well-known Old Testament personalities. This light can also enable us to see and explain many problems and mysteries, which we encounter in our times among believers and also within ourselves.

The Lord desires to bring to our attention the case of Cain and Abel and show us that even today, there are many “Cains” among believers especially in the leadership. Let us consider in our hearts and minds the following facts:

a) Cain was a believer, not a pagan; he worshipped God and had respect for Him (as do many believers today).

b) Cain brought to God the offering of the fruit of his own labors and, I believe, he offered what he thought was the best he produced. (Gen. 4:3)

c) God had no respect for Cain’s offering but He respected Abel’s offering. (Gen. 4:4-5) Because of that, Cain was very wroth and jealous of his brother Abel and when they were both in the field, he killed his brother Abel!

d) God told Cain that he did not do well (with his offering) and asked him plainly “If you are doing well, will you not be accepted? And if you are not doing well, sin is lying at the door.” (Gen. 4:7)

We may believe that these events were happening a long time ago and the Book of Genesis is too far in the past to be applicable for our days. Not so! Even today, too many believers are offering to the Lord the best what they produce or what they are able to do and then believe that God is accepting their offerings or worship or service. But no, God is not accepting any of that because it is all of the same nature as the one offered by Cain. (Pr. 14:12, Pr. 16:2,5)

What we are in ourselves or what we can produce from ourselves or what seems good and right to us, has never been acceptable to God! But if we offer ourselves, our old evil selves on the altar to be burnt, to die (as Abel offered a lamb as his substitute), this is acceptable to God. For it was our “old man”, our old soul, our evil Adamic nature, which was “judged and burnt in Christ” on His Altar – His Cross. He was also a Lamb offered for us as our Substitute.

Cain was thus deceived believing that he was worshipping God and doing Him a great service by offering Him his best produce. A clear parallel with this Truth and spiritual reality from the Book of Genesis is found in the Gospel of John where the Lord is saying to His disciples the very same thing. He is warning them saying “They (Cains) shall put you out of the synagogues (churches, congregations, fellowships); yea, the time is coming that whosoever kills you will think that he is doing God service”. (Jn. 16:2) Believers of these last times will be so deceived by “Satan’s gospel” of humanism, selfish service... the “ministry of the religious old man”... that they will believe and then act on this greatest lie of Satan.

Cain represents our old, unrenewed, dead soul, old life of the first Adam, “old man” who tries to please God through himself and through his own works and efforts. But he is cursed and not blessed! (Gen. 4:11) So the need to renew, regenerate, revive and transform our old dead soul to be acceptable to the Lord is evident right from the beginning of mankind! Is it really so difficult to see this simple light and truth of God? Stop and ponder these things.

8) This example is also from the Old Testament and takes place in the household of our forefather Abraham.

Abraham typifies God the Father and Abraham had two sons. The first one named Ishmael was after the flesh (by the will of Sarah and Abraham who wanted to “help” God). He typifies infidels and his mother was Hagar, Sarah’s Egyptian handmaid and bondwoman. The second son named Isaac was after the spirit (by promise and the Will of God – Gal. 4:22-23). He typifies the Lord Jesus and his mother was Sarah, Abraham’s wife. Both sons were living in the same household of Abraham, which at that time typified the Household of God.

The son after the flesh persecuted and mocked him who was after the spirit. Therefore, Sarah said to Abraham “cast out this bondwoman and her son; for the son of this bondwoman shall not be heir with my son, even with Isaac.” And though it was grievous to Abraham, God “hearkened unto Sarah” comforting Abraham and confirming to him that “in Isaac shall thy seed be called.” (Gen. 21:10-12, Gal. 4:29-30)

See now how closely even this episode parallels with the spiritual reality among believers since the day of Abraham until this present day. The Household of God is the Church. Within this Household, there are two kinds of children born into His Family; those that remain “fleshly believers” are typified by Ishmael, and “spiritual believers” who walk on the narrow road are typified by Isaac. The fleshly ones are those with unrenewed, unregenerated dead souls and these always persecute and mock the spiritual ones who’s souls are being renewed with the Life of Christ ruling therein. Hence, one day, they have to be separated from the fleshly ones who will be sent away and will wander in the wilderness (Gen. 21:14, Mt. 8:12). It was also foretold about Ishmael that he would be a “wild man and his hand will be against every man, and every man’s hand against him”. (Gen. 16:12) So it is with those fleshly believers who are typified by him. Also, it is no less true with Ishmael’s physical descendants in this world.

9) The last example touches another explicit and very serious warning from the mouth of Our Lord Himself when He says:

“I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman. Every branch in me (every true believer) that bears not fruit, he (my Father) takes away; and every branch that bears fruit, he (my Father) purges it, that it may bring forth more fruit.” (Jn. 15:1-2)

Furthermore, the Lord declares: “If a man (true believer) abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them and cast them into the fire, and they are burnt.” (Jn. 15:6)

Do we truly understand what these sayings mean? What happens to us if we do not bear fruit or do not stay in Christ? If we have no fruit (of His Spirit, which is the character of Christ - Gal. 5: 22-23), we are taken away – removed from His Presence (as a candlestick is – Rev. 2:5). If we do not stay in Christ, we are fallen away and burnt in fire as a dry branch, which follows the fruitless state! (Heb. 6:6,8)

The Lord could not speak more clearly and straightforward to us. This is a very sharp and bitter truth and, as we may see, it fits together perfectly with the other examples from the Word of God. (More explanation about “abiding” may be found in Addendum C.)

* * *

I believe that the above nine examples must be sufficiently clear for any true believer to consider and understand in his heart and mind. I also believe that these facts should send “shivers” down the spine of every true believer and cause him to start fearing God and also fearing the Devil. (Mt. 10:28) Shall we take the above facts and examples lightly? Shall we neglect the Scriptures authored by the same Spirit Who dwells in us? Where is our conscience and what is our faith?

It seems desirable at this point to add to the above basic picture of man’s Full Salvation a section, which I might call “Consequences and Experiences”. A brief picture of consequences and experiences of not following the above Word of God concerning the truth of man’s Full Salvation. Also, to bring to light other pertinent Words of God pointing to the process of the “salvation of man’s soul” in the practical life of the Church.

CONSEQUENCES AND EXPERIENCES

The last several years of my ministry to the Lord and to His Church have brought me through a hard time. I was discovering a very grieving and sad reality that a vast majority of believers do not care one bit about the Word of God and they do not fear God one bit! (Rom. 3:18) They have their own ways, which, of course, are “better, preferable and wiser" than God’s ways and they see no reasons why they should stop their ways and change their direction. They show the workings of this old-Adamic-devilish nature by constantly rebelling against the Word of God and against the Spirit of the Lord! The first century AD was probably not over yet when many believers in the Church were already in this tragic situation.

The Lord Jesus speaks clearly to His born-again believers in Laodicea saying “As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten; be zealous, therefore, and repent.” (Rev. 3:19) But today, multitudes of Christians genuinely hate rebukes and passionately hate any chastening or repentance! (1Cor. 11:32) They are rebellious, selfish, wicked children. That is why they are wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked as the Lord declared unto them! (Rev. 3:17)

That is why the Lord tells them rather plainly: “Behold, I stand at the door (of your wretched and miserable heart and soul) and knock: if any man (any believer, not only of the Laodiceans) hear my voice and open the door (of his heart and soul) I will come in to him, and will sup (fellowship) with him, and he with me.” (Rev. 3:20) Whether we have a fellowship with the Lord or not determines either Life or death in our soul. It also determines our blessing or a curse! Do you believe this? Do you see this?

Well, if you do not open the door to the person knocking at your door, you will never know the person. If you do not open the door (of your heart) to the Lord, you will never know Him – even though you may believe in Him. If you do not know Him, you can never love Him because you cannot love any one whom you do not know. And if you do not love the Lord, you will be cursed at His Coming! (1Cor. 16:22) Do you see this now? Do you truly believe this now?

The Lord speaks about the “door” from the believer’s spirit to his soul, which is at the division of his spirit and soul. That is where the Word of God pierces, penetrates and discerns the thoughts and intentions of the heart. The Word of God can do it because the Word of God is living and sharper than any two-edged sword! the word of god is not diplomatic or polite. (Heb. 4:12 – Addendum B)

It is, therefore, abundantly clear that the Lord is “knocking” from the spirit of a born-again believer where He is present, at the “door” to his soul (heart, mind, will) where He is not present! He desires to bring salvation-renewal-revival-holiness-transformation also to his soul, which is wretched, miserable, poor, blind and naked. That “door” is opened by conscience and it is the decision and action of that believer and not of the Lord. Keeping that door closed may cost that believer his very Life Eternal!

But such believers think and believe and say that they are “fine” and do not need anything, any counsel, any rebuke, any chastisement from anybody, or any repentance. (Rev. 3:18) They are ready to stone any brother who dares to counsel or rebuke or admonish them in the Spirit of the Lord. (2Tim. 4:2) Fleshly Christians are far more dangerous and “efficient” in mocking and persecuting the spiritual Christians than are pagans, who are often more friendly and pleasant to deal with than Christians!

It is also written: “There is ONE body, and ONE Spirit... ONE hope... ONE Lord, ONE faith, ONE baptism, ONE God...” (Eph. 4:4-6) Really??? Not in the real life of Christians! In real life, every Christian has a different “faith”, he belongs to a different “body”, he lives in a different “spirit”, communicates with a different “lord” (lord of a different character and nature than that of Christ) and seems to serve a totally different “god”! Do you not experience it whenever you deal with other Christians? They also seem to have a different “bible”, which is much smaller and only contains words and doctrines acceptable to their poor fleshly souls. Anything that “pricks” their flesh is not found there.

What is the true consequence of all this reality? DIVISION, CHAOS, MISERY AND DEATH! That is exactly where the Church has arrived with all its flesh and rebellion. And no man will help!

Isn’t the worldwide Church of Jesus Christ more divided than the pagans of this world? Are not Christians more miserable, even more foolish then pagans? The Lord said Himself “For the children of this world (pagans) are in their generation wiser than the children of light (believers).” (Lk. 16:8, also Mt. 25:2)

Then to top this foolishness, some “smart” leaders developed an idea that Christians should unite. Really??? But why do we need any ecumenical movements if the Word in Eph. 4:4-6 is true? Every ecumenist is, in fact, blatantly disregarding this Word of God by trying the impossible! He is trying to unite what cannot be united – flesh! In the meantime, our greatest enemy, Satan, is laughing.

So, why is there this division, chaos, misery and death in the Church of Jesus Christ?

Firstly, a vast majority of christians does not care one bit about the Word of God! And even should they hear or read the truth of the Word of God, their heart refuses to obey and follow the truth in their life and deeds! (Jer. 18:11-13 and 18)

Secondly, they therefore do not live by faith – the one faith which is authored by the one Lord... as it is written: “Looking unto (One Lord) Jesus the author and finisher of our (one) faith;” (Heb. 12:2)

Four times the Lord commanded us saying: “The just shall live by faith”! (Hab. 2:4, Rom. 1:17, Gal. 3:11 and Heb. 10:38).

“Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence (and understanding) of things not seen”. (Heb. 11:1) Faith dwells in our conscience, which is the organ of our spirit, and not in our head. Clear conscience can often “speak” against our reasons or feelings and we should follow this “inner voice”, which is faith - the evidence of truth – rather than our thoughts, feelings and desires.

But if Christians do not live by the faith of the Lord, what do they live by? Though they are ONE in Spirit, they live by the feelings, reasonings and selfish will of their fleshly, unregenerated, unrevived, dark and filthy souls! But the unity of the church is not in unified thoughts or unified reasons or even unified judgments of soul’s intellect. The Unity of the Church is solely in the unity of the Spirit of the Lord and His Faith.

If the Spirit of the Lord would be allowed to regenerate-revive-transform the souls of these believers – then there would be a true unity in the Church. All divisions, chaos, misery and death would disappear. And yes, the Spirit must be allowed to do the regeneration in our soul, we must choose it by our will (Fil. 2:13) because God gave us a free will. By our free will, we may stand even against God, against His Word, against His Salvation... all pagans are the proof of it! God will never act against our will and He will never choose or decide for us – this is our responsibility before Him.

At this point, I desire to present and underline to every true believer the Mind and Heart of Our God and Father concerning His chosen and redeemed people – Israel and Church – and their calling to make choices and decisions, which determine their destiny. God in his love and grace had provided salvation and life – we have to choose it, go for it and receive it. (Mt. 7:7-8, Lk. 11:9-10) Otherwise, we will never have it.

“See, I have set before you this day life and good, and death and evil... therefore CHOOSE life”. (Deut. 30:15,19) Moses speaks to the NEW generation of Israel AFTER their 40-years journey and just before they were to enter the Promised Land.

He also tells them this truth: “For I know your rebellion, and your stiff neck; behold, while I am yet alive with you this day, you have been rebellious against the Lord; and how much more after my death?... For I know that after my death you will utterly corrupt yourselves and turn aside from the way, which I have commanded you; and evil will befall you in the latter days; because you will do evil in the sight of the Lord, to provoke Him to anger through the works of your hands.” (Deut. 31:27,29)

Do we see the evil human nature – flesh – at its “best”? How do we – the NEW Israel – choose? Who is making or affecting our decisions? Who or what is influencing us? Are we able to discern, see, understand and answer such important questions? Do we have sufficient spiritual intelligence for that?

CONCLUSION

A thick book could be written about these things but I am restrained to be brief. Therefore, I will add only one more fact. Though there are many Christians who undoubtedly see this misery of the Church, yet, no man is able to help. I cannot help either. I can only declare, expose and explain the Word and hope that the Spirit of God would grant blind believers eyesight, deaf believers hearing and foolish believers understanding. I may only hope that the Spirit of God would enable such believers to see, hear, receive the truth by faith and then follow or live that truth by the same faith! That is exactly what the Spirit of God had done also in me and for me! Otherwise I could not have written this pamphlet.

So I am not asking you whether you are able to do what the above Words of God and His Salvation demand – no man is able. I am only asking you whether you are willing to consider the above examples and Words of God? Are you? If you are, read on, the most important part follows now.

It is the question of your Life or death - your Eternal Life or your eternal death! You should be sure what is the truth concerning your own Salvation, which is to say, your own future. I hope you do desire to know your future in which case you should have assurance about it from God’s Spirit Himself and not from men.

Before I close, it appears necessary to state one simple truth as follows. The true Christianity and the process of the true Salvation is a matter of working out of our faith: declaring, confessing (Rom. 10: 10), asking, seeking, knocking (Mt. 7:7-8), binding, loosing, agreeing (Mt. 18:18-19), believing (Jn. 6:28-29), loving (Mt. 22:37) and trusting that the Lord will do what we ask, seek, bind, loose, declare, confess and believe in harmony with his word. this is the part which we have to do ↔ then he may do his part which we cannot do! This is our true cooperation with God.

Therefore, no matter how good and truthful words I may write herein and no matter how sincerely and with an open mind and heart you may read or even agree with the writings, it is not sufficient! No one is saved by reading or even agreeing with the Biblical truths but by acting on his faith, “working out his faith” as stated above. Otherwise the reader will remain even more deceived and his faith will become, or remain dead. (Jam. 1:21-25, Jam. 2:17,26).

Similarly, any man may believe in the Lord Jesus as his Savior. But unless he confesses his faith with his mouth (Rom. 10:9) or calls on His Name (Acts 2:21, Rom. 10:13), which are the “works of faith, acts of faith”, that man shall NOT be saved! If you, therefore, believe the truths about your Salvation described above and confirmed in the Word of God and do not act on them, you shall achieve nothing. These important truths will in such case only become “an additional interesting information stored in your brain”, but no spiritual work will have been done. By acts of faith you started your salvation-redemption (Eph. 2:8), by acts of faith - the same instrument of the spirit - you must continue until you receive “the end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls.” (1Pet. 1:9)

I hope that you believed the Words of God guiding us on the way of our Full Salvation, the way of overcoming, the way of doing the Will of the Father (Mt. 7:21). If so, then we have to ask the Lord to do His Words and Truths in us… because without Him, we can do nothing. (Jn. 15:5) I thus desire to close with a prayer and an intercession before the Throne of Our Most High God.

“Dear Lord Jesus, we come to You with a simple faith believing all Your Word and knowing that without You we cannot do even Your Word. We also believe that our Salvation is not only by our faith but firstly by Your Grace and Love toward us. Therefore, we do not lean on our understanding, rather, in our conscience and heart we trust Your Grace and Love that through them You will enable us to do Your Will, follow Your way and achieve Your aim and pleasure in our Salvation.”

“You have given us Your Spirit also that He may guide us into all truth. (Jn.16:13) We desire that He would guide us also into this truth of man’s Full Salvation according to Your Word, enable us to receive it in our spirit, heart and mind and then to do it. May we thus continue in Your goodness rather than taste Your severity and be cut off. (Rom. 11:22)”

“May this prayer not be just words of our mouth, but a cry of our heart and spirit. We have no other hope, no other future and no other way. May it please You to hearken unto our prayer and help us to work out our own Salvation according to Your Word. Amen.”

When you have prayed like this with faith and a true desire in your heart, then wait and see what the Lord will do. I believe that you will see or sense His hand clearly and the fruit of the works of His Spirit in your soul will follow in due time after some grief and suffering. (Heb. 12:11) You will have “purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit” so that your joy might then be truly unspeakable and full of glory. (1Pet. 1:22, 1Pet. 1:8)

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This is the Word of God, my faith and my personal experience. Let this be a fruit acceptable unto our great saviour, lord and coming king christ jesus. Let it also be a true and powerful spiritual tool for all the believers who believe and desire to be transformed into the image of Christ Our Lord. Amen.

ADDENDUM D

Notes on overcoming

As with Salvation, the question of “overcoming” is equally misunderstood and neglected though it is the key to our Salvation and determines our future. Rev. 21:7 seems to give it the final “stamp” of importance being just before the New Jerusalem is shown to John and described at the end of the Bible. It is chiefly the practical side of this question, which needs to be brought to light.

Therefore, I desire to present some brief personal notes and experiences rather than a lot of theology. Since the main overcoming touches our mind, which is a “workshop of the Devil”, as it is often called, we will focus on this organ of our soul and the way it works.

Flesh (see p.4) hates to be exposed! Why? Because the powers of darkness hate to be exposed. They work only in darkness, behind curtains and in secrecy! Once you expose them by light “pulling the curtain”, they are finished. This often happens when we read or hear truth about ourselves! The “curtain” on our soul is pulled. Whenever this happens, we feel bad... we feel pain in heart or shame or anger in mind because we may be pricked and offended. Our first thoughts steer us against the truth, give us “ammunition”- arguments for self-defense and then, perhaps, for a heavy counter-attack, if necessary.

Our flesh immediately “rolls out” heavy weapons and will not allow such “humiliation of our personality” to continue! Is it familiar to you? Have you ever observed yourselves in such situations? The question is: who in us is giving us this “ammunition”, such thoughts? Who is “pushing us” to defend ourselves or even to counter-attack? Is it the Spirit of the Lord? Is it the character of Christ to act like that? Absolutely NOT! (Lk. 9:23) It is the Devil and his character.

So, how do we prevent this in the future? By discerning ourselves and refusing to follow our first thoughts! This is the overcoming of our old ways, old habits, old thoughts, old desires – our old self. If you pay close attention to the following simple notes, you are on your way of overcoming and Salvation.

Overcoming means exercising our free will:

1) Pausing a moment before you respond in words or actions; this takes some conscious effort to stop yourself in your “usual and automatic” response; this is the first stage of overcoming yourself.

2) Pondering for just one minute your thoughts and the steps (or words), which you are about to take (say, write); this takes somewhat greater effort than to pause; you try to give yourself a short moment to ponder your thoughts and your planned response; this is the second stage of overcoming yourself.

3) Putting yourself into the “shoes” of the other person(s) (in interpersonal situations) trying to see and understand the situation from the viewpoint and understanding of the other person!; this is not easy since this tendency or ability is initially not in us but is essential for overcoming; before we may understand others and their problems, we have to perceive and understand ourselves and our problems; we have to receive this spiritual ability (perception, spiritual understanding, grace toward others) from the Lord little by little (Is. 28:9-10); this is the third stage of overcoming.

4) Denying your own initial thoughts, planned responses or intentions when you now see that they would have been unrighteous or even foolish; this is impossible unless we have the necessary light and understanding “from the other side”, which we may only obtain by pausing, pondering, asking questions, putting ourselves into their situation and diligently comparing facts; this is the most difficult stage of overcoming yourself,

5) Standing by faith on the Word of God in Rom. 8:28 whenever experiencing danger, tragedy, loss, fears, doubts, humiliation, unrighteousness, injustice, etc. This applies to all believers walking on the narrow road who love the Lord in truth. This Word of God does not apply to those that do not love the Lord,

6) Admitting to yourself, to your own conscience, that:

a) not everything you do is perfect and acceptable in the eyes of God; many changes may be necessary; when the Lord sends them through any one – accept them,

b) not everything you hear from others is true or righteous or wise especially if it is against the written Word of God or Its Spirit; the Lord warns us saying “Take heed what you hear...” (Mk. 4:24); always judge and reject what is not true; every time you incline your ear to lies and accept them consciously or unconsciously, you will become a liar yourself, come under the power of the Devil and you will not even know that you became deceived; so, do take heed what you hear and what your heart and mind accept; all vital issues of life are in your heart (Pr. 4:23)

c) not everything you believe is true and right; many corrections or changes in your beliefs may be necessary; when the Lord gives you the light for a change, do not reject it just because it may be coming the way you do not expect, or because it “hurts” your flesh,

d) not everything you desire in your heart or mind is right and profitable (1Cor. 6:12); many things prove hurtful, even suicidal at their end; this includes trying to serve the Lord your way by offering Him a strange fire (Lev. 10:1-3); ponder your desires before the Lord and before you decide to follow them because Our God is a consuming fire! (Deut. 4:24, 9:23, Heb. 12:29)

e) not every road you walk is right and will not lead you to where you desire to end up; instead of life, joy, peace, happiness and success, you may (later) meet death, grief, turmoil, mourning and failure (Pr. 14:12 + 16:25); when the Lord desires to change your way and direct your steps, do not resist Him with your flesh-stubbornness (Pr. 16:9),

f) not every believer or friend you know is truthful, honest, trustworthy, sincere, well meaning though they outwardly may appear so!; there are many wolves in sheep’s clothing and if you cannot recognize them, they will get you; test them on the basis of the faith and light that the Lord already granted you,

g) not everything you think is so (!), is true, correct or wise; thoughts of unrenewed mind are the true cause of all our misery, troubles, problems, divisions and death!; if you are unwilling to overcome these, you will never get out of this evil merry-go-round and you yourself will always remain what you think (Pr. 23:7) – incarnated evil thoughts, misery and a fountain of death.

Is this too much for you to consider? Of course it is, if you want to consider it and practice it immediately. But the Lord gave us the whole earthly life to consider it and practice it! Let us remember that we were not born to Heaven but into an evil world. We were not conceived in holiness but in evil (Ps. 51:5) – by our choice and not God’s choice. We thus have no greater purpose and task in our life from Our Creator and Savior than to be redeemed from that evil and then keep learning and practicing to overcome that evil also within our soul by our own will and thus save our own (already redeemed) souls! It is only when we ourselves are on this narrow road of overcoming-deliverance – that we may help others also to overcome. But it is never too late to start for any believer!

You are effectively cleansing the Church, His Body, when you cleanse your own self (2Cor. 7:1); you are effectively building the Church, when you build your own self – in the most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit (Jude 20); you are effectively preparing the Bride of Christ for His Coming as Our Bridegroom (Mt. 25:6) when you are preparing your own self to be ready to go with Him (Mt. 25: 10); finally, you are effectively preparing the Church to rule in the coming Kingdom together with Christ (Rev. 2:26-27, 19:11-16) when you learn to rule first your own self (Pr. 25:28).

Will you who just read “give your souls” to the Lord in a new way? Will you “put your souls on the altar” that He may accept you fully and execute in you His Full Salvation? Or will you refuse?

The above is not my wisdom and it is not my word – it is His Wisdom and it is His Word, which Word is Christ (Jn. 1:1). I only “framed” the man’s Salvation with the Word of God and His Will and Wisdom and expressed my testimonies and experiences.

And now I pray that you may be enabled to do His commandments (His Word) so that you “may have the right to the Tree of Life and may enter in through the gates into the City” of New Jerusalem. (Rev. 22:14)

AMEN.