To be saved, is not merely to profess and call ourselves Christians. We may have all the outward parts of Christianity, and yet be lost after all. We may be baptized into Christ's church - go to Christ's table, have Christian knowledge, be reckoned Christian men and women - yet be dead souls all our lives, and at last, in the judgment day, be found on Christ's left hand, among the goats. No: this is not salvation! Salvation is something far higher and deeper than this. Now what is it?
To be saved is to be delivered in this present life from the guilt of sin, by faith in Jesus Christ, the Saviour. It is to be pardoned, justified, and freed from every charge of sin, by faith in Christ's blood and mediation. Whosoever with his HEART on the Lord Jesus is a saved soul. He shall not perish. He shall have eternal life. This is the first part of salvation, and the root of all the rest. But this is not all!
To be saved is to be delivered in this present life from the power of sin, by being born again, and SANCTIFIED by Christ's Spirit. It is to be freed from the hateful dominion of sin, the world, and the devil, by having a new nature put in us by the Holy Spirit. Whosoever is thus renewed in the spirit, and converted, is a saved soul. He shall not perish. He shall enter into the glorious kingdom of God. This is the second part of salvation. But this is not all.
To be saved is to be delivered in the day of judgment, from all the awful consequences of sin. It is to be declared blameless, spotless, faultless, and complete in Christ, whole others are found guilty, and condemned for ever. It is to hear those comfortable words, "Come ye, blessed!" while others are hearing those fearful words, "Depart, ye cursed!" It is to be owned and confessed by Christ, as one of His dear children and servants, while others are disowned and cast off forever. It is to receive the reward prepared for the righteous, in the day of Christ's second coming. This is complete salvation. This is the redemption for which true Christians are bid to look and long. In the eye of God their final salvation is an absolutely certain thing. Their names are in the book of life. Their mansions in heaven are even now prepared. But still there is a fullness of redemption and salvation which they do not attain to while they are in the body. They are saved from the guilt and power of sin; but not from the necessity of watching and praying against it. They are saved from the fear and love of the world; but not from the necessity of daily fighting with it. They are saved from the service of the devil; but they are not saved from being vexed by his temptations.
Such is salvation. It is to be saved from the guilt, power and consequences of sin. It is to believe and be sanctified now, and to be delivered from the wrath of God in the last day. He that has the first part in the life that now is, shall undoubtedly have the second part in the life to come. Both parts hang together.
We want to see manifest work of the Spirit among people, an evident sense of sin, a lively faith in Christ, a decided change of heart, a distinct separation from the world, a holy walk with God. In one word, we want to see souls saved.
The matter for our consideration is not whether we go to church, whether we go through certain forms and ceremonies, whether we observe certain days, and perform a certain number of religious duties. The matter is whether, after all, are we saved? Without this all our religious doings are weariness and labor in vain.
(J. C. Ryle)
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