Thoughts from Mark "Hat" Rackley

Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God—children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God.

• John 1:12-13

Jesus answered, “Very truly I tell you, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless they are born of water and the Spirit. Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit.

• John 3:5-6

he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior,

• Titus 3:5-6

“Q. 28. How are we made partakers of the redemption purchased by Christ?
“A. We are made partakers of the redemption purchased by Christ, by the effectual application of it to us (John 1:12) by his Holy Spirit (Titus 3:5-6).”

• Charles H. Spurgeon, Spurgeon’s Catechism (Scripture proofs in bold above)

“Q. 29. How are we made partakers of the redemption purchased by Christ?
“A. We are made partakers of the redemption purchased by Christ by the effectual application of it to us by his Holy Spirit.”

• The Shorter Catechism (Westminster Assembly)

“Q. 58. How do we come to be made partakers of the benefits which Christ hath procured?
“A. We are made partakers of the benefits which Christ hath procured, by the application of them unto us, which is the work especially of God the Holy Ghost.”

• The Larger Catechism (Westminster Assembly)

The three Catechisms agree, with the Larger being “Larger.”  But Westminster Catechisms had the exact same Biblical proofs.

The thing that is strange is that the question does not ask – What is required to be saved?  But then again, the wording ties in with the other questions that have already been asked, specific and technically accurate.

There is nothing that we can do to be saved.  We receive and believe.  The word believe here includes an element of trusting also.  These are passive verbs.  By the sacrifice made by Jesus, our receiving Him means that Jesus washes away our sin debt and at that moment we are reborn in the spirit.

And now let us sing.

The following hymn, Jesus Saves is sung by the Southwest Baptist Church in Oklahoma City, OK.  The third verse below was not in my old hymnal, but I like it.

“We have heard the joyful sound:
  Jesus saves! Jesus saves!
Spread the tidings all around:
  Jesus saves! Jesus saves!
Bear the news to every land,
Climb the steeps and cross the waves;
Onward!–’tis our Lord’s command;
  Jesus saves! Jesus saves!

Waft it on the rolling tide,
  Jesus saves, Jesus saves;
Tell to sinners far and wide,
  Jesus saves, Jesus saves;
Sing, ye islands of the sea,
Echo back, ye ocean caves;
Earth shall keep her jubilee,
  Jesus saves, Jesus saves.

Sing above the battle’s strife,
  Jesus saves, Jesus saves;
By His death and endless life,
  Jesus saves, Jesus saves;
Sing it softly thru the gloom,
When the heart for mercy craves,
Sing in triumph o’er the tomb,
  Jesus saves, Jesus saves.

Give the winds a mighty voice,
  Jesus saves, Jesus saves;
Let the nations now rejoice.
  Jesus saves, Jesus saves;
Shout salvation full and free,
Highest hills and deepest caves,
This our song of victory,
  Jesus saves, Jesus saves.”

• Priscilla Owens, We Have Heard the Joyful Sound

Closing Prayer

Dear Lord,
We can never thank You enough.  You have provided the means to purchase the redemptive powers of Your death on the cross.  You have shown the resurrection powers by rising from the dead.  And there is nothing that we can do for that salvation.  We must simply believe and trust in You with our lives.  It may be a rocky road ahead, but You will never leave us.  Thank You. Thank You. Thank You.
In thy Name we pray.
Amen

Soli Deo Gloria.  Only to God be the Glory.