Eddie J. Cornelius, Minister Emeritus
THE TRUTH ABOUT SALVATION:
Salvation Is God's Will
1 Tim. 2:3-4; 2 Pete. 3:9
INTRODUCTION:
1. The truth about salvation is that it is, indeed, God's will that all men be saved.
A. Does this mean that all men are all ready saved and none shall be lost?
B. Does this mean that there is nothing to be done on man's part to facilitate his salvation?
C. Does this mean that man can somehow choose his own method of salvation?
2. The truth about salvation is that God, and only God, can determine how men are to be saved.
3. If we are to understand God's method for saving we must know something of His character.
DISCUSSION:
I. Understanding God's Character and Will.
A. Today we have set forth two passages of scripture that help us understand His Will concerning
salvation.
1. 1 Ti 2:3 For this [isf good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour; :4 Who will
have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.
2. 2Pe 3:9 The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness;
but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should
come to repentance.
B. These leave no doubt about God's will, but what of His character.
C. Let us likewise look at two passages that reveal something of His character towards man.
1. Act lO:34Then -peter opened his mouth, and said, Of a truth I perceive that God is
no respecter of persons: :35 But in every nation he that feareth him, and worketh
righteousness, is accepted with him.
2. Rom. 2:3-11.
D. It must be understood that however God plans to save man, it must be the same for all.
Otherwise God would be found to be a respecter of persons.
II. Understanding Bible Teaching Concerning Man And God's will.
A. There is a modern belief that "any way will do" "as long as your heart is right" "as long as you
are serving God."
B. Perhaps you have heard someone close to you use these sayings to explain the differences in the
ways that people try to worship God and the many differing denominations that exist.
C. But what does the Bible say? Lets look and see..
1. Mat 7:21 Not every. one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of
heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. :22 Many will say to me in
that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out
devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? :23 And then will I profess unto them, I
never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity. (:241t)
2. Joh 3:20 For every one that doeth evil hateth the light, neither cometh to the light, lest his
deeds should be reproved. :21 But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may
be made manifest, that they are wrought in God. (Jon 1:1-10)
3. Col. 3:25 But he that doeth wrong shall receive for the wrong which he hath done: and
there is no respect of persons.
4. I Jo 2:17 And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will
of God abideth for ever.
5. I Jo 2:29 If ye know that he is righteous, ye know that every one that doeth
righteousness is born of him.
6. I Jo 3:7 Little children, let no man deceive you: he that doeth righteousness is righteous, even
as he is righteous.
. 7. I Jo 3:10 In this the children of God are manifest, and the children of the devil: whosoever
doeth not righteousness is not of God, neither he that loveth not his brother.
D. In light of all this mountain of evidence the question must come: "What is righteousness?" How
can one identify the righteousness of which the Bible speaks?
E. To get the answer to these questions one has but to read Rom. 1: 16-17.
III. Understanding God's Will For Man's Salvation.
A. In the first century church this was a simple matter. One simply heard the gospel preached by the
Apostles and did what ever it required (Acts 2).
B. Then, what has happened, why is the matter of salvation so confusing today?
1. First you must realize that the Devil is a liar and the father of lying. He is a deceiver and has
deceived many into believing that right is wrong and wrong is right. (Jon 8:44; 1 Jon 5:10)
2. Because of the Devil's lies and deception many denominations and denominational teachings
have come into being, in spite of the Bible. This is not pleasing to God as exemplified in
Gal.1 :6-9.
C. So, then, what is God's plan: for man's salvation as revealed in the Bible?
1. That man should hear the truth of the Gospel, for that is where God's power to save is to be
found (Rom. 1: 16).
2. That we believe that Gospel and none other for". . . faith [cometh} by hearing, and hearing
by the word of God.
. a. Faith or belief in the gospel is a prerequisite to any attempt at salvation.
b. Jesus said Joh 12:47 And if any man hear my words, and believe not, I judge him not:
for I came not to judge the world, but to save the world. :48 He that rejecteth me, and
receiveth not my words, hath one that judgeth him: the word that I have spoken, the
same shall judge him in the last day.
3. God has also required, in His Gospel, that all men repent:
a. Luke 13:3, 5
b. Act 17:30 And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all
men every where to repent:
4. God requires that all men confess Jesus as His son:
a. Jesus said Mat 10:32 Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I
confess also before my Father which is in heaven. :33 But whosoever shall deny me
before men, him will I also deny before my Father which is in heaven.
b. Rom 10:9 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe
in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. :10 For with
the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto
salvation. (note the example of Acts 8:37)
5. God requires baptism in water for the remission of sins: Matt. 28:19; Mark 16:16; Acts
2:38 (again note the example of Acts 8:38).
' 6. Finally, God requires faithfulness iri the Christian life: Rev 2: 10 Fear none of those things
which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast [some} of you into prison, that ye may
be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give
thee a crown of life.
