Chapter 2

embrace the grace The concept of salvation is truly a wonder. I have found that the Lord’s intent for the gospel has eluded most of the church. The question is does the church really know what the gospel is? It is common for many to think on the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ, but the gospel goes way beyond that.

Before we go into the revelation God has given, it is needful for me to say that our God is an awesome God. There is no one or nothing that can compare to His majesty and might. His wisdom is far beyond human logic. He is not a God that we can sit and figure out. He is truly an awesome wonder.

It is the heart and mind of the Father that we see what the gospel truly is. At one point, it was common of me to say that we ought to see salvation from the perspective of God; however, I was corrected of the Father. He said to me “There is no other perspective of salvation. Salvation is the life of Christ in the flesh, however as it relates to the soul, the flesh ought to be reckoned dead.” This is a profound statement. But it simply means that the body not only belongs to God, but it is for His use. It is not to be used by our soul to satisfy lustful, unlawful desires, or the pursuit of the things of this world. It also means that we are not to usurp authority over the Holy Spirit’s governance of the flesh. The Father wants it to be known that He does not identify with any opinion or perspective of scripture that is not in line with His Word. It doesn’t matter how long we have served our own beliefs; if they are not in agreement with the truth, God does not acts 20:24 - But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God.

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regard them. Sad to say, there are many pastors and preachers who for many years have served in the name of God, their own false doctrines and traditions. There are many denominations that divide the church, yet there is only one truth. Let us not be puffed up by the pride of our own hearts. It is scripture that interprets itself. God will never reveal knowledge that is outside of His Word. With that said, we must look within the Word to see what it establishes as the concept of salvation.

ANOTHER LOOK AT SALVATION

God declared in His Word that all things were made by Him and for Him. Well saints, this includes the flesh. It is the desire of the Father to use our bodies for His own pleasure and glory. It was made for Him.

Galatians 2:20

I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me. By now, we may have visited this scripture a thousand times; however, its importance still remains. By it Paul explains the concept of salvation. Consider his words:

I am crucified with Christ:

We have put off the old man with his deeds. Our soul was taken outside of the body that both would die. Adam was made a living soul. This simply means that his body gave his soul expression here on earth. His soul tasted of life because it had a body to live through. However, James lets us know that the body without the Spirit is dead. Therefore, everything that we were, was crucified at salvation, (both the inner man and outer-man). That person that was once alive, has died a real death. The soul has been removed from the flesh never to return there.

I think we need to understand how this death relates to the soul. luke 17:33 Whosoever shall seek to save his life shall lose it; and whosoever shall lose his life shall preserve it.

JoHn 12:25

He that loveth his life shall lose it; and he that hateth his life in this world shall keep it unto life eternal.

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Both of these verses point to the loss of our Adamic life at salvation. Yes, the old man died, (that body of sin); but so did the soul. However, the soul was baptized into His (Jesus’) death. This is the keeping of one’s life. The soul is kept or preserved by baptism into the Holy Ghost. It is joined to the Spirit of God. Thus, it becomes new and of God. It is a new creature. The old things are passed away and all things are become new and all things are of God (2Co. 5:17-18). nevertheless I live;

At this point the soul is made alive again by being placed in the Spirit. Now the soul is expressed through the Spirit. The scripture presents this very well; For in him we live, and move, and have our being; as certain also of your own poets have said, For we are also his offspring (Acts 17:28). yet not I I think this is one of the most crucial aspects of this scripture. It points to the fact that the soul is never placed in the flesh again. The soul therefore has no right to life in and through the flesh. The life the soul has attained is by the Spirit. This sets the perspective of salvation.

There is nothing that we should decide to do in the flesh without the guidance of the Father. romans 8:14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God God does not identify as a son any one who lives a life contrary to His leading. It is by our submission to the leading of Christ within us that our souls will be saved.

Christ must live a complete life through our bodies, without the hindrance of soulful agendas or decisions. The sons of God must truly accept the reality that they died at salvation. The reason they were resurrected, however, is so that Christ would be given the opportunity to live through the flesh.

Any mind that suggests that we have authority over our lives is of the devil, because everything we are is of God and for His use. For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s (1 Corinthians 6:20).

We must therefore have no goal, hope, dream, agenda, intent, or plan for our lives that is void of Christ’s will for us. Jesus must be the one to live through the flesh. It is the responsibility of the soul

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to become an unprofitable servant, wanting nothing. Right here would be a good place to define want and wantonness. Let us first look at the word wantonness: it simply means lasciviousness, filthy or filthiness, unlawful desires and worldly lusts of the flesh.

When want is defined in the context of the New Testament, it is a direct contradiction to contentment. For the church, want is an expression of discontentment. It is the manifestation of covetousness. Consider the following passages.

Philippians 4:11-13

11 Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.

12 I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need.

13 I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me. I think this verse of scripture is a tremendous definition of contentment. It is however, a mindset that is shunned by the church and the majority of its leaders. Now the word want also expresses lack; which is an implication of a void that God could not fill in the midst of physical lowliness.

But let us not lose sight of what we are talking about here. The redemption and salvation plan of the Lord is without worldly options. To be wanton for the things of this world, suggests that the power of the Holy Ghost dwelling within; leaves us lacking or offensively needy. If this were true, then walking in the Spirit would be full of anguish and stress. Want is a denial of the the Spirit of God being a Comforter as Jesus proclaimed him to be. Paul’s testimony is that we can do all things through Christ who not only lives in us, but also strengthens us to suffer need, abundance, fullness and hunger. This is the righteousness of God expressed by the doctrine of contentment.

Nevertheless, Paul wanted to make sure that Timothy stood his ground on this matter during his pastorate in Crete. He knew there would be philosophers and rogue ministers who would oppose the doctrines taught by our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, he wrote to Timothy on this wise…

1 timotHy 6:3-5

3 If any man teach otherwise, and consent not to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which is according to godliness; It does not matter that there are some who would pervert the doctrine of Christ. The truth will never change.

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Paul goes on to say, such a one who thinks himself to be wise…

4 He is proud, knowing nothing, but doting about questions and strifes of words, whereof cometh envy, strife, railings, evil surmisings,

5 Perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness: from such withdraw thyself. Wherever there is a teaching that promotes worldly gain as the evidence or focal point of godliness depart from it. This is a hard saying for the church today. It is obsessed with gain. Almost every message points to worldly possessions and/or vainglory of some sort.

1 timotHy 6:6 But godliness with contentment is great gain.

This is the word of righteousness. To be content with whatever state one finds himself in, is to live in the comfort of the Holy Ghost. The peace of the Spirit is not threatened by situations or circumstances. The joy of the Spirit is not diminished by strained relationships; neither is the righteousness of the Spirit measured by social economic status. This is holiness and there is no substitute for it.

1 timotHy 6:7-8

7 For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out.

8 And having food and raiment let us be therewith content. This 8th verse is an offense to the church; for it totally destroys want and covetousness. These two verses turn the focus of the son of God back to his pilgrimage. It reminds him that he is just a pilgrim passing through this world; he brought nothing into it and he will carry nothing out of it. Jesus said it this way… Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal: But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal (Matthew 6:19-20). 1 timotHy 6:9-10

9 But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition.

10 For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.

I think we need to point out here that Paul is referring to the man who wills to be rich. This means that his will is given over to obtaining the wealth of this world. He will abandon spiritual purpose; and in

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his mind, godly contentment is illogical. The church has really been brainwashed into thinking that God’s sole purpose for salvation was to make us wealthy in this world. We are to be the head and not the tail.

1 timotHy 6:11-14

11 But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness.

12 Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses.

13 I give thee charge in the sight of God, who quickeneth all things, and before Christ Jesus, who before Pontius Pilate witnessed a good confession;

14 That thou keep this commandment without spot, unrebukeable, until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Godliness with contentment is a commandment, not an option for the Church. More and more, those who hear the truth are turning away from prosperity doctrines that do nothing to secure the soul. Men and women of God are looking for truth that will allow them to please God. There are those in the Body of Christ who are beginning to yearn for righteousness; and are willing to forsake the things of this world in order to obtain it. This is the submission that God requires. It is only when we totally deny ourselves of the things of the world, that we will be seen as good and faithful servants. but Christ liveth in me.

Christ has entered our bodies bringing it alive unto the Father’s use. He is the new man. He has already overcome the world and its offenses. He is the grace God has given us. He is the influence in our hearts that is reflected in the life we live before men. Beloved, cease to wrestle with the scriptures; for they are life and life abundantly. Embrace the grace.