SALVATION PRECEDING THE CROSS?

SALVATION PRECEDING THE CROSS

Monday, October 7, 2013

Romans MKJV 3:19-26 But we know that whatever things the Law says, it says to those who are under the Law; so that every mouth may be stopped and all the world may be under judgment before God, 20  because by the works of the Law none of all flesh will be justified in His sight; for through the Law is the knowledge of sin. 21  But now a righteousness of God has been revealed apart from Law, being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets; 22  even the righteousness of God through the faith of Jesus Christ, toward all and upon all those who believe. For there is no difference, 23  for all have sinned and come short of the glory of God, 24  being justified freely by His grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus; 25  whom God has set forth to be a propitiation [atoning  victim for sin] through faith in His blood, to declare His righteousness through the passing by of the sins that had taken place before, in the forbearance of God; 26  for the display of His righteousness at this time, for Him to be just and, forgiving the one being of the faith of Jesus.

  I’ve been asked “Were people saved prior to Jesus redemptive act? If so, how?”

  I initially direct the inquirer to passage of Scripture such as that above and get them to read and tell me what it says about the how of redemption.

  Then show them in Hebrews 11 that people were saved prior to Lord Jesus Christ crucifixion, rejection, burial and resurrection.

  How before, after, and forever? As ever, foreordained by God’s grace as people trust Him: “It was the precious blood of Christ, the sinless, spotless Lamb of God. God chose him as your ransom long before the world began, but he has now revealed him to you in these last days. Through Christ you have come to trust in God. And you have placed your faith and hope in God because he raised Christ from the dead and gave him great glory. You were cleansed from your sins when you obeyed the truth, so now you must show sincere love to each other as brothers and sisters. Love each other deeply with all your heart. For you have been born again, but not to a life that will quickly end. Your new life will last forever because it comes from the eternal, living word of God.” NLT 1Peter 1:19-23

  Said trust unto eternal redemption has absolutely zilch to do with how good or bad we are as though weighed in some sort of balance scale: “For by grace you are 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 to good works, which God has before ordained that we should walk in them.” MKJV Ephesians 2:8-9 (Consider the thief on the cross. Lk.23:39-43)

  Put in terms that most understand; God’s good deal was always made. Jesus closed, finalized, the deal. (Jn.19:30) We individually accept, trust, or remain in eternally lost condition. (Jn.3:16-18)

  Any questions?  EBB4