“Who, Then, Can Be Saved?”

It’s the question the disciples asked and one we should also ask:

“Who, then, can be saved?”

Yes, that was the natural response of Jesus’ disciples after He said “It’s easier for a camel to go through the eye of a sewing needle than it is for a rich man to enter into Heaven” (Luke 18:24-26).

And, that’s when Jesus looked at them and said “The things which are impossible with men are possible with God” (v.27).  In other words, if God can shrink down a camel to the size it can pass through a sewing needle, then He can also save a rich man: provided his/her riches aren’t more important than being made right with God (vv.18-23).

In reality, this same question arises when one points to the Apostle Paul, who stressed that Salvation “is a Gift of God by Grace through Faith” (Ephesians 2:8-9): and the Apostle James, who said “Faith without works is dead” (James 2:17, 26).

So, the question, then, is “Which one of them is right: Paul or James?”  And, the answer is “Both of them.”

Yes, Salvation is a Gift we receive or “obtain,” not a wage, reward or something we “attain,” i.e., work for.  And, by reconciling both Apostles’ teachings, we realize it’s “not Faith AND works, Faith OR works—but a Faith THAT works.”  Hallelujah!!

In other words, once we realize that it’s “God’s Goodness that leads us to repentance” (Romans 2:4b), then it’s our “Godly sorrow over our sins that results in repentance which will never stop” (II Corinthians 7:10).

Or, as someone once said “If the sight of the One hanging on the Tree (the Cross) doesn’t move us to repentance, nothing will.”  That’s why Paul said “The Love of Christ constrains me, i.e., it compels me to answer His Call” (II Cor. 5:14).

Yes, it’s responding the way Samuel did by saying “Speak, Lord, I’m listening” (I Sam. 3:10).  It’s also responding the way Saul did on the road to Damascus: “Who are You, Lord—and what would You have me to do?” (Acts 9:4-6).

Then, after we’ve “seen the LORD high and lifted up in Heaven”—coupled with Him being “high and lifted up on the Cross”—our response should always be like that of Isaiah and Christ’s disciples: “Here am I, send/use me” (Is. 6:1-4, 8; Matthew 4:18-22).

Now, it’s important to remember that there’s a difference in Justification, Sanctification and Glorification.  First, Justification is “being made right with God through Jesus and His Blood:” a pardon or adoption, if you will (Romans 5:6-11; II Corinthians 5:21; Hebrews 9:14, 22).  

Next, Sanctification is a lifelong process of “being set apart, made holy, transformed more and more into Christ’s Likeness” through surrender and a working of the Holy Spirit.  And, Glorification is that final, ultimate transformation that occurs when we finally see Jesus face-to-Face and will be just like Him (Philippians 3:21; I Jn. 3:2).  Glory!!

So, again, the question is “Who, then, can be saved?”

And, thankfully, the answer is “Whosoever believes and calls upon the Name of the Lord:” knowing there’s no Hope apart from Him (Jn. 3:3-7, 13-18; 15:5b; Rom. 10:9-10, 13; Ephesians 2:12b).

So, the next question is “Have you done that?  Have you, like Peter did that day as he sank beneath the stormy waves, cried out to Jesus and said ‘Lord, save me’!!” (Mt. 14:30)?

If not, there’s no better time than right now to do so: because “NOW is the accepted time; behold, TODAY is the Day of Salvation” (II Cor. 6:2).  Amen and amen.

        (NOTE:  If you’d like to contact Bro. Tom or receive his daily devotional, entitled “Morning Manna,” you can e-mail him at pressingon@hotmail.com).