STEPS TO SALVATION In the Beatitudes as recorded in Matthew 5:3—12 there are defined certain steps all will take along the road to salvation. “Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.” Here we see those who have felt their need of Christ which is a logical place to start otherwise they just would not come to Christ. Please remember that a sinner needs a Saviour whereas someone who is oblivious to their true spiritual condition does not see a need. As a result “Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.” Because we have been awakened to our true condition we will declare with fulness of heart along with the publican, “God be merciful to me a sinner.” Luke 18:13. Thus we come to God daily confessing our sins in prayer believing and trusting by faith that through Christ our prayers are not only heard but answered. For it is written, “godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of:” 2 Corinthians 7:10. Included in this is our need to daily study the Bible’s sacred pages (John 5:39; 2 Timothy 2:15). Another facet to this mourning which is brought about by us yielding to our heart yearning for Christ is that we will be beset with trials either physical or spiritual. You may ask why will we need to face trials? These are mercifully given to us by God to strengthen our faith and purify our characters. For it is written, “Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: But rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christs sufferings; that, when his glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy.” 1 Peter 4:12, 13. Consequently we receive this “Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.” Through these trials self will be left to trail in the dust as we will recognise our need to rely wholly and solely upon God. We will also have a spirit which desires to sit at the feet of Jesus and be taught by Him in His school. Meekness and lowliness of heart is what everyone needs in order for them to be moulded and shaped like the clay in the hands of the skilful Potter (Isaiah 64:8). Slowly but surely we are advancing and at this point in our experience we hear “Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled.” You should notice that the people here have not yet obtained righteousness but they hunger and thirst after it. Please note that righteousness is a gift only given to those who hunger and thirst to receive it and it is promised that “they shall be filled.” Romans 5:17. Christ is the only means whereby we can receive this righteousness. For Christ declared, “I am the Bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst.” John 6:35. We can only have our hunger and thirst satisfied by 1) Coming to Christ and 2) By having faith which is a belief and trust in all Christ has done for our salvation. Thus it is called righteousness by faith because it is that which we receive not through self but by having faith to believe and trust that Christ’s atoning sacrifice is sufficient “to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” 1 John 1:7. We must also have works or faithfulness which is consistent with our faith for it is written, “faith without works is dead.” James 2:26. However good works will never save anyone they are only a condition upon which we receive salvation. As a result of beholding Christ’s mercy, forbearance and forgiveness towards us we receive this blessing, “Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.” Notice something very interesting about this verse it is only as we show mercy towards others that we can obtain mercy from God. Please note also that our hearts are naturally unloving, unmerciful, and are ultimately at enmity or war against God (Romans 8:7). Thus we can see that a change is being wrought within our hearts for where there once existed hate the love of God now dwells. Consequently that love will be expressed in us manifesting not only a merciful spirit but also a forgiving one. Essentially we are revealing to others the tender mercy and love we have had bestowed on us by Christ consequently we will begin to show forth the fruits of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22, 23). Now we come to “Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.” Here is just a wonderful truth of how through the agency of the Holy Spirit Christ is working upon the human heart. This purity of heart is not merely defined as affecting the outward actions of the heart but the hidden purposes and motives existing therein. For it is written, “The word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.” Hebrews 4:12. It is also written that, “out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaketh” and “out of it are the issues of life.” Matthew 12:34; Proverbs 4:23. Another fact to notice is that as a result of being pure in heart we shall see God. Would it then be correct in thinking that as soon as I am pure in heart I will ascend straight into heaven and see God? Logically no it is talking about us being able to behold or see God in nature, in our work lives, and essentially in everything we do. So in essence it is really keeping God foremost in everything we do literally living as though we are in the very presence of God. Consequently this will have an impact on everything we do for we will want to ascertain whether God would be pleased or not with what we are doing. At this point in our experience we receive this blessing, “Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.” Because of allowing the love of God to abide in our hearts we also receive the heavenly peace which only a true Christian can have. Christ promised us, “Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you:” John 14:27. As we are also instructed in Isaiah 26:3, “Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee.” It is only as we behold, contemplate and trust Christ every moment of the day that we can be a partaker of this peace so sublime. You will notice that those who partake of this wonderful peace are “called the children of God.” Why you may ask? It is simple as a result of Christ abiding within and being the focus of all we do we are children of God. It is written, “And if children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together.” Romans 8:17. This leads us onto the double blessing pronounced upon all who stand up for the truth and will not be moved by popular opinion. “Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and shall say all manner of evil against you falsely, for my sake. Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great is your reward in heaven: for so persecuted they the prophets which were before you.” As a result of having this peace or more appropriately Christ abiding within we will meekly forbear with those who persecute us. Please note that all who have lived Christlike lives have faced persecution but remember Christ said “be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.” John 16:33. We will declare along with Paul that “I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.” Romans 8:18. Remember “our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory;” 2 Corinthians 4:17. Everyone who endures persecution will proclaim that heaven is cheap enough for like the three Hebrew captives Christ will be by our side (Daniel 3:23—25). The reward for all who endure persecution far outweighs “the sufferings of this present time” for we will spend eternity with Christ.
Posted on: Mon, 29 Sep 2014 12:22:18 +0000
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