By late Pastor Bob Hanna
Scripture Reading: Colossians 2: 13
"You, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh,
hath He quickened together with Him, having forgiven you all
trespasses" (Colossians 2:13). "Giving thanks unto the Father, which
hath made us meet to be partakers of the saints in light: Who hath
delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into
the kingdom of His dear Son: In whom we have redemption through His
blood, even the forgiveness of sins" (Colossians 1:12-14).
What greater comfort can we experience than the assurance of these
words of unqualified release from the bondage of iniquity!
Unregenerate man suffers constant fear in his state of guilt and
shame. His hope lies only in the one "in whom we [who are saved]
have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins,
according to the riches of His grace" (Ephesians 1:7). "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" (Ephesians
2:8,9). "Thanks be unto God for His unspeakable gift" (2 Corinthians
9:15).
Once possessed, one's salvation can never be lost. The apostle
explains the process of judgment when the departed saints appear at
the judgment seat of Christ. "If any man's work abide which he hath
built thereupon [the foundation, Jesus Christ], he shall receive a
reward. If any man's work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but
he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire" (I Corinthians 3:
14,15).
We can neither earn nor deserve salvation. "Not by works of
righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He
saved us" (Titus 3:5).
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