Mark Vestal Supporter Proud of nothing of myself. Freed by Christ who did it all!

The requirement for salvation for anyone living after Christ's revelation of the "mystery" gospel of God's grace to the apostle Paul is summarized in one verse.

Ephesians 1:13:
"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." KJV

More specifically, we see in the previous verse (Eph. 1:12), that Paul is referring to trusting Jesus Christ as our savior. We also learn in verse 13 that this occurs after hearing (or otherwise learning of) Paul's gospel, "the gospel of your salvation".

What is the gospel of our salvation?

1 Corinthians 15:1-4:
"Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand;
2 By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain.
3 For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures;
4 And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:" KJV

Next in verse 13, we see that we must "believe" the gospel that we just read. We are then told what happens immediately upon our belief. We are "sealed with the holy Spirit of promise". We also learn how long we are sealed in chapter 4.

Ephesians 4:30:
"And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption." KJV

We have now essentially been purchased by God upon our belief and cannot lose our seal until Christ returns to gather us up (1 Thessalonians 4:16-17).

Going back to Paul's gospel in 1 Corinthians 15:2, Paul mentions "unless ye have believed in vain". This is important in answering the original question. Did the believer actually believe the gospel or not? If the "believer" never truly believed the full gospel, then it is clear that they were never 'sealed' to begin with. If the believer did truly believe, then they would never sincerely "deny" their faith.

We find throughout Paul's epistles how faith in Christ gives a believer true peace. A believer can rest knowing that they are secure with God in Christ. They now understand that there is nothing more they need to do to secure their salvation. There is also nothing they can do that would cause them to lose their salvation. Understanding this causes the believer to desire to serve God by sharing this truly 'good news', that salvation is the free gift offered to us by God's grace. We can receive His free gift by doing nothing more than having faith in Jesus Christ, believing "the gospel of your salvation".

September 22 2022 • 2 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report

Jack Gutknecht Supporter Arizona Bible College graduate and Dallas Seminary graduate

Good question, Albert! I have known at least one person like this who professed Christ and later lived like an unbeliever. Sadly and unfortunately I would have to say that this person was never really saved in the first place. Although all believers struggle with sin (Romans 7) and this denial of the faith is sin, Christians will repent of this sin and come back to Christ.

September 23 2022 • 2 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report

Pastor Gilbert C O Daminagbo Supporter

I truly believe that such kind of persons can be saved depending on the grace the King of Kings has given such a person, and the person's ministry ordained by God. Peter denied Jesus Christ three times and was saved later. Kathryn Khulman went astray and came back later in full force. Sometimes, all those who renounced Christ did so by choice, which could be lack of real knowledge of God or worldly lust, but they can't escape the ministry God has for them ahead as God knows them and would bring them back after their sojourn in penury, decadence and mire. 

The prodigal son is one good example of such kind of person as reported by the King of Glory Himself. Those who backslide cannot be written off as many believers who are alive in the spirit are praying for them added to declarations upon them by men of God of not being lost forever before. If Judas had not killed himself and begged for mercy then God would have forgiven him. The same grace of the cross is still at work till the appointed time of judgment when mercy will cease. 

We should not also forget that there are many that may not have such abundant grace to return whose salary or end is hell. God, Himself, said, "Esau I hate, Jacob I love." Remember the Potter and the clay even as Christ is also expecting that those who were once vibrant in the ministry and backslid would come back, as the scripture is full of pleas for returning. The one that will be lost will be lost while the one that will be saved will be saved. 

All this boils down to mercy and favour of God. We should also and always pray for prodigal sons and daughters to come back. The righteous will fall seven times and rise the same number of times. David fell into sin then repented and was restored. Demas fell out, but there's nothing to tell us if at the tail end of his life he did forsake his sins and return. We should not continue in sin, though that grace may abound. We must run our race and end well, but not backslide, for we may not be able to return like others returned.

December 30 2023 • 2 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report