TEACHING

Don Atkin

WHO REALLY IS "SAVED?"

An all too typical example of the grandest of all deceptions would be the one who has made a confession of faith at one time or another, been baptized in one form or another, and holds an intellectual belief that his sins are forgiven and he is destined for heaven.

Living in the "buckle" of the Bible Belt, I am deeply saddened for the multitudes who are seeking first their own careers and creature comforts, while having a form of godliness that denies the power thereof. I am sickened by the hundreds of religious institutions who offer a false security in exchange for memberships and donations.

While God is no respecter of persons, desiring that none perish, there must be repentance that results in a change of mind, government and lifestyle. There must eventually be fruit of repentance in one’s life that bears witness to his new life in the Spirit. Such new life is generated by God from His new position within the new believer.

 FAITH AND SALVATION

The just shall live by faith.

Without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.

For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast.

For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.

Be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves.

Faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.

(Romans 1:17; Hebrews 11:6; Ephesians 2:8-10; James 1:22, 2:17)

 DISCIPLESHIP AND SALVATION

The disciples were first called Christians at Antioch.

Now great multitudes went with Him (Jesus). And He turned and said to them,

"If anyone comes to Me and does not hate his father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, yes, and his own life also, he cannot be My disciple.

And whoever does not bear his own cross and come after Me cannot be My disciple.

So likewise, whoever of you does not forsake all that he has cannot be My disciple."

(Acts 11:26; Luke 14:25-27, 33)

OBEDIENCE AND SALVATION

Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap.

For a good tree does not bear bad fruit, nor does a bad tree bear good fruit. For every tree is known by its own fruit.

But, why do you call Me, "Lord, Lord," and not do the things which I say?

Not everyone who says to Me, "Lord, Lord," shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven.

Many will say to Me in that day, "Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name, cast out demons in Your name, and done many wonders in Your name?"

And then I will declare to them, "I never knew you; depart from Me, you who practice lawlessness!"

( Galatians 6:7; Luke 6:43-44a, 46; Matthew 7:21-23)

FRUIT OF SALVATION

Examine yourselves as to whether you are in the faith. Test yourselves. Do you not know yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you? – unless you fail the test.

For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God.

The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control, Against such there is no law.

I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh.

That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Do not marvel that I say to you, "You must be born again." The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear the sound of it, but cannot tell where it comes from and where it goes. So is everyone who is born of the Spirit.

Those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit. For to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. So then, those who are in the flesh cannot please God.

Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth. For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is our life appears, then you also will appear with Him in glory.

Christ in you, the hope of glory.

(II Corinthians 13:5; Romans 8:14; Galatians 5:22-23, 16; John 3:6-8; Romans 8:5-6, 8; Colossians 3:2-4, 1-27)

 PURPOSE OF SALVATION

Our focus should no longer be on what we have been saved from; it should be on what we are saved for!

It is the will of God that we be saved and cleansed from our past so that we may be ready for our destiny. It is also the will of God that we hear and obey His voice so that we may know His will for our lives each day. Those who are being saved have been born again by His Spirit who indwells them to guide and empower them. Do not quench the Spirit.

Jesus did nothing of His own initiative. He had no plans of His own, no will of His own. He lived to fulfill the will and purpose of God in the earth. He was the firstborn among many brothers. God is bringing many sons to glory.

Creation waits eagerly for the revealing of the sons of God.

Are you living your own life? Or, His life – by His Spirit?