Galatians 6:15
"For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision, but a new creature," Galatians 6:15. Paul has not stopped pounding the false teachers with truth. He hasn't even slacked up. The false teachers continue pushing their agenda and their false doctrines. The false teachers continually proclaim that salvation is achieved by works and grace. "Even so then at this present time also there is a remnant according to the election of grace. And if by grace, then is it no more of works: otherwise grace is no more grace. But if it be of works, then is it no more grace: otherwise work is no more work," Romans 11:5-6. Salvation cannot be by works and grace. Please keep in mind that the false teachers were making salvation about works so they could have something to boast in. "For we are the circumcision which worship God in the spirit, and rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh," Philippians 3:3. The Bible is clear that no one can earn their salvation, yet how many of you are still trusting in a feeling you had, an experience you had, or even what you said? To better understand this we must look at some basic truths from the Scriptures. Man in his natural state has neither power nor desire to come to Christ. We are totally unable to save ourselves. Turn with me to Romans 3:10-12. Now go to Romans 5:6. "Without strength" means more feeble, impotent, sick, without strength, infirm, weak, and feeble. In a moral sense: wretched, diseased, i.e. in a state of sin and wretchedness.
This is the state we are born into; therefore, we have no power to save ourselves, nor do we desire to be saved. This is a terrible place to be. Because of our depraved state, soul salvation must be sole a work of God's Sovereign Salvation. Please remember that God is in total control. He is not a puppet on a string. No one controls God. He is self-sufficient; He is not dependent upon any one or thing. He is Sovereign God. Sovereign- Supreme in power; possessing supreme dominion; as a sovereign prince. God possess the highest authority without control. No one controls God, nor does anyone influence Him. If someone did then He would cease to be God. Salvation- In the Christian sense, salvation is deliverance from sin and its spiritual consequences and admission to eternal life with blessedness in the Kingdom of Christ.
Mankind is born dead in trespasses and sins, and is unable to save himself. God, who is sovereign over all, had a plan from before the foundation of the world. God does everything decently and in order. Salvation is a work of God's sovereignty. God must do the saving because we cannot save ourselves. "To declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus," Romans 3:26. "Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God," Hebrews 12:2. "Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ," Philippians 1:6. Look at John 1:12-13; 6:44; Titus 3:5; Ephesians 2:8-9. It is God that justifies us, Jesus is the author and finisher of our faith; and God completes the work He starts in us. Let us turn to Ephesians 1:1-14, "Paul an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, to the saints which are at Ephesus, and to the faithful in Christ Jesus: Grace be to you, and peace from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ. Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ: According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love: Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will, To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath make us accepted in the beloved. In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace; Wherein he hath abounded toward us in all wisdom and prudence; Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself: That in the dispensation of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him: In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will: That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ. 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." Let's start in verse 1. When was Paul saved? Most of us know the story of Paul's conversion while on the Damascus road. Why did God save Paul there at that time? Look in Galatians 1:15. The word "pleased" means, by implication to determine, resolve, choose with pleasure to do something. Here in Galatians 1:15 it is speaking of God. In short, God chose to save Paul when it please God to do so. Let us go back to Ephesians 1. In verse 2 notice where this grace and peace came from. In verse 3 notice who did the blessing. All the focus is on God, and the focus remains on God and Him doing all things according to the good pleasure of His will. Salvation is totally a working of God. Mankind does not contribute anything in saving his own soul, he can't. The bible is clear in Romans 3:10-12, "As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one: There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God. They are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable: there is none that doeth good, no, not one."
There are those who believe that their good works will get them to heaven, but the bible plainly states that no one is good, no, not one. There are those who believe that man has a glimmer of light in him, so he is able to make a decision to choose Jesus Christ to save his soul; again, the bible is clear that this is not possible in that, "there is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God." Salvation is totally a work of God. As soon as someone proclaims that it is not solely a work of God, that person is proclaiming a false gospel. A false gospel puts emphasis on man; says it is up to man; and therefore glorifies man. The true gospel points all to Jesus Christ; says it is up to God to save someone; and therefore glorifies God.
If you are trusting any kind of works to save you, or something you said, or a decision you made, I beg you to confess that as sin and solely trust Jesus Christ alone to save your soul. He does the saving. Please send questions and comments to richardsonbaptistchurch@gmail.com. Soli Deo Glori
