God Saved Us And Called Us To Live A Holy Life
One Must Apply The Blood To Be Saved
2 TIMOTHY 1:8-10
“Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me His prisoner, but share with me in the sufferings for the gospel according to the power of God, who has saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace which was given to us in Christ Jesus before time began, but has now been revealed by the appearing of our Savior Jesus Christ, who has abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel,
”II Timothy 1:8-10 NKJV
https://bible.com/bible/114/2ti.1.8-10.NKJ
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In these times, persecution of believers was mounting, and based on the fact that many were being arrested and executed for their faith, there would have been much fear among them.
Paul told Timothy to expect suffering, and like Paul, Timothy would face jail for preaching the Good News (HEBREWS 13:23).
But Paul encouraged Timothy that God would give him strength to endure when it was his time to suffer.
Today, we still face persecution for our faith, many are arrested for street preaching, and the numbers are increasing; indeed many around the world have been put in prison or even executed for their faith.
But even when there is no apparent persecution, sharing our faith can be difficult.
Fortunately, like Paul and Timothy, we have the Holy Spirit to rely on, to lead us according to His plans and purposes, to give us courage and strength to face the trials and challenges that come against us, however severe (see JOHN 14:15-18).
In verses 9-10, Paul gives us a brief summary of the Good News. That we have eternal life with a holy calling, not by our works or good deeds, but by faith according to God’s own plans, purposes, and grace which was God’s plan even before time began.
He broke the curse of death, revealing it to us by the appearing as our Saviour Jesus Christ; abolishing death forever by satisfying our debt of sin on a cross for all who believe in Him; that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved (ROMANS 10:9).
It really is that simple.
“Remember that Jesus Christ, of the seed of David, was raised from the dead according to my gospel, for which I suffer trouble as an evildoer, even to the point of chains; but the word of God is not chained. Therefore I endure all things for the sake of the elect, that they also may obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory. This is a faithful saying: For if we died with Him, We shall also live with Him. If we endure, We shall also reign with Him. If we deny Him, He also will deny us. If we are faithless, He remains faithful; He cannot deny Himself.”
II Timothy 2:8-13 NKJV
Salvation does not rely on our powers or ability, but rather on the Holy Spirit that shall come upon us when we believe and make the decision to submit to God in repentance.
The promise of salvation is to every Spirit filled believer and their children, and to all who are far off, as many as the Lord chooses to call (ACTS 2:38-39).
This is not just Good News, this is Amazingly Wonderful Good News!
But the truth is, God saved us and called us to live a holy life. He did this, not because we deserved it, but because that was His plan from before the beginning of time.
But sadly many believe there are many ways into God’s kingdom; they believe all religions take everyone to the same god. But Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.”
John 14:6 NKJV
There is no other way; no other religion, organisation, person, dead or alive, nor god, nor angel that deals with the problem of sin. No one else can.
Sin cannot simply be written off no more than we can continue in it.
Just as when we go speeding through a speed camera in our cars and get caught, we have to pay the penalty. But the penalty of sin is death and nothing is hidden from God who is a God of justice.
Unlike the speed cameras, God sees all things, and there are always consequences for our deeds, both good and evil. We are all sinners (1 JOHN 1:10) and therefore it’s too late to keep the Law; we are all in need of a Saviour.
Many say, all “nice” people will be saved by God’s grace; those who gave to the needy and gave to the poor. But grace cannot override justice; if it could, Jesus would of had no reason to sacrifice His blood on a cross.
Therefore, one must apply the blood of Jesus to his life through faith to receive the blessing of life everlasting.
“By faith Abel offered to God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, through which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts; and through it he being dead still speaks. By faith Enoch was taken away so that he did not see death, “and was not found, because God had taken him”; for before he was taken he had this testimony, that he pleased God. But 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. By faith Noah, being divinely warned of things not yet seen, moved with godly fear, prepared an ark for the saving of his household, by which he condemned the world and became heir of the righteousness which is according to faith.”
Hebrews 11:4-7 NKJV
Without Christ and faith in Him my beloved, every person would perish, for we are all sinners in need of a saviour. “If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say that we have not sinned, we make Him a liar, and His word is not in us.”
I John 1:8-10 NKJV
My beloved, give thanks, “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved. “He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God.”
John 3:16-18 NKJV
If you haven’t already, give yourself to the Lord Jesus Christ in repentance and receive the free gift of Salvation. He wants no one to perish, but for all to turn to God in repentance (2 PETER 3:9), including you.
All glory to God forever and ever! Amen.
