Salvation Struggles
Ephesians 2:1-8
And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins; Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience: Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others. But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;) And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus: That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus. For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
Thought For Today;
I often wonder why so many people seem to struggle with their salvation. What makes someone who has experienced the fountain of living water begin to thirst for worldly things. Did they drink from the water that Jesus spoke of in (John 4:13-14)? Did they get the promise of the Father that He spoke about in (Acts 1:4-8)? Paul asked the church at Galatia, "O foolish Galatians, who hath bewitched you, that ye should not obey the truth, before whose eyes Jesus Christ hath been evidently set forth, crucified among you? This only would I learn of you, Received ye the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith? Are ye so foolish? having begun in the Spirit, are ye now made perfect by the flesh?" (Galatians 3:1-3).
Had they been told that they could never lose their salvation and so this is why they keep going after worldly things? Paul said that through our faith in Christ Jesus we are saved. You see, without faith it is impossible to please God (Hebrews 11:6). No one can be saved if he doesn’t trust God. The same is true with a person who is drowning in water. If they are thrown a life preserver, they have to believe that if they take hold of it they can be saved. Well, the same is true with Jesus. If you don't take hold of what He's offering you, His grace, you cannot be saved either. God's salvation is free. You can't earn it no matter how hard you try. You must put your faith in Christ and be born again of the water and the Spirit (John 3:3-5). And once your life is complete in Him, you shouldn’t crave the things of this world.
