Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;
Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour;
That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life. Tit 3:5-7
THE WAY OF SALVATION
I. Salvation is not effected by human agency.
1. Where there is no salvation, there are no works of righteousness.
And GOD saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every imagination of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually. Gen 6:5
Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness,
Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies,
Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God. Gal 5:19-21
2. Works of righteousness, even where they exist, possess no saving effect. They are the evidences, not the causes, of salvation.
3. The Bible disclaims the merit of human agency in salvation.
But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away. Isa 64:6
O Lord, righteousness belongeth unto thee, but unto us confusion of faces, as at this day; to the men of Judah, and to the inhabitants of Jerusalem, and unto all Israel, that are near, and that are far off, through all the countries whither thou hast driven them, because of their trespass that they have trespassed against thee. Dan 9:7
Therefore by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight: for by the law is the knowledge of sin.
But now the righteousness of God without the law is manifested, being witnessed by the law and the prophets;
Even the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all them that believe: for there is no difference:
For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;
Being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus:
Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood, to declare his righteousness for the remission of sins that are past, through the forbearance of God;
To declare, I say, at this time his righteousness: that he might be just, and the justifier of him which believeth in Jesus.
Where is boasting then? It is excluded. By what law? of works? Nay: but by the law of faith.
Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law. Rom 3:20-28
Even so then at this present time also there is a remnant according to the election of grace.
And if by grace, then is it no more of works: otherwise grace is no more grace. But if it be of works, then is it no more grace: otherwise work is no more work. Rom 11:5-6
I do not frustrate the grace of God: for if righteousness come by the law, then Christ is dead in vain. Gal 2:21
For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
Not of works, lest any man should boast. Eph 2:8-9
II. Salvation originates in the Divine compassion. "According to His mercy He saved us," etc.
1. Our salvation accords with the tender sympathies attributed to that mercy
Remember, O LORD, thy tender mercies and thy lovingkindnesses; for they have been ever of old. Psa 25:6
Behold, thou desirest truth in the inward parts: and in the hidden part thou shalt make me to know wisdom. Psa 51:6
Look down from heaven, and behold from the habitation of thy holiness and of thy glory: where is thy zeal and thy strength, the sounding of thy bowels and of thy mercies toward me? are they restrained? Isa 63:15
Through the tender mercy of our God; whereby the dayspring from on high hath visited us, Luk 1:78
Behold, we count them happy which endure. Ye have heard of the patience of Job, and have seen the end of the Lord; that the Lord is very pitiful, and of tender mercy. Jas 5:11
2. It accords with the readiness ascribed to that mercy
And refused to obey, neither were mindful of thy wonders that thou didst among them; but hardened their necks, and in their rebellion appointed a captain to return to their bondage: but thou art a God ready to pardon, gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness, and forsookest them not. Neh 9:17
And therefore will the LORD wait, that he may be gracious unto you, and therefore will he be exalted, that he may have mercy upon you: for the LORD is a God of judgment: blessed are all they that wait for him. Isa 30:18
Who is a God like unto thee, that pardoneth iniquity, and passeth by the transgression of the remnant of his heritage? he retaineth not his anger for ever, because he delighteth in mercy. Mic 7:18
3. It accords with the description given of the greatness, fulness, and extent of that mercy.
Pardon, I beseech thee, the iniquity of this people according unto the greatness of thy mercy, and as thou hast forgiven this people, from Egypt even until now. Num 14:19
But as for me, I will come into thy house in the multitude of thy mercy: and in thy fear will I worship toward thy holy temple. Psa 5:7
Yet thou in thy manifold mercies forsookest them not in the wilderness: the pillar of the cloud departed not from them by day, to lead them in the way; neither the pillar of fire by night, to shew them light, and the way wherein they should go. Neh 9:19
The earth, O LORD, is full of thy mercy: teach me thy statutes. Psa 119:64
To execute upon them the judgment written: this honour have all his saints. Praise ye the LORD. Psa 149:9
4. It accords with the perpetuity of that mercy
O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good: because his mercy endureth for ever. Psa 118:1
III. Salvation is attended by an important chance. We are saved "by the washing of regeneration," that is, delivered from sin and all its tremendous consequences in the other world.
1. Delivered from the love of sinful pleasures and carnal delights, by having the "love of God shed abroad in our hearts."
2. From the guilt of sinful practices, by having a knowledge of salvation by the remission of our sins.
3. From the prevalence of sinful habits, by the principles of holiness, and the power of the Divine Spirit.
4. From the commission of sinful acts, by the total regeneration of our natures.
We know that whosoever is born of God sinneth not; but he that is begotten of God keepeth himself, and that wicked one toucheth him not. 1Jn 5:18
IV. Salvation is accomplished by a Divine influence. "By the renewing of the Holy Ghost," All the influences of God upon the human soul are effected by the agency of the Holy Ghost.
1. The light and information which we receive on Divine subjects are communicated by the Holy Ghost
But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things, and bring all things to your remembrance, whatsoever I have said unto you. Joh 14:26
Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God. 1Co 2:11-12
But ye have an unction from the Holy One, and ye know all things. 1Jn 2:20
2. The conviction we have of our personal danger is derived from the same source
They said therefore, What is this that he saith, A little while? we cannot tell what he saith. Joh 16:18
3. The change which is produced in the minds of Christian believers is attributed to the Holy Ghost.
Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.
That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit.
Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again.
The wind bloweth where it listeth, and thou hearest the sound thereof, but canst not tell whence it cometh, and whither it goeth: so is every one that is born of the Spirit. Joh 3:5-8
And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God. 1Co 6:11
But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord. 2Co 3:18
4. The assurance of salvation is by the witness of the Holy Ghost—the Comforter.
And I will pray the Father, and he shall give you another Comforter, that he may abide with you for ever;
Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you. Joh 14:16-17
The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God: Rom 8:16
Inferences:
1. How awful the delusion of those who depend on themselves or their works for salvation!
2. How deeply we are indebted to the Divine mercy for salvation! Let us sing of the mercies of the Lord forever.
3. How indispensable is regeneration! Salvation without it is impossible.
4. How deeply anxious should we be to secure the influences and agency of the Holy Ghost.
If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children: how much more shall your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to them that ask him? Luk 11:13
(Sketches of Sermons.)
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