A well-known passage on salvation, Ephesians 2:8-9, says, “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God.” This makes it clear that we cannot do anything to earn our salvation. Since salvation is a gift from God, some people might wonder if it can also be taken away.
To answer this, we need to see if the Bible says there are things that would cause God to take away salvation. The answer is no. There is nowhere in the Holy Scripture that says God would remove our salvation under any circumstances. In fact, the opposite is true. Romans 8 asks, “Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword?” It continues by stating the firm belief that nothing “neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord”.
Nothing can separate us from God’s love once we have received salvation as a gift through faith. Perhaps a better question is have you asked God for the faith that leads to salvation? Consider Matthew 7:21-23 says, “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of My Father who is in heaven will enter. Many will say to Me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name cast out demons, and in Your name perform many miracles?’ And then I will declare to them, ‘I never knew you; leave Me, you who practice lawlessness.’
Covenant Baptist Theology, also known as Federalism, highlights the significance of federal heads within biblical covenants. The Abrahamic Covenant had Abraham as its federal head, the Mosaic Covenant had Moses, and the New Covenant has the Lord Jesus Christ. This understanding is foundational to the book of Hebrews, as well as Romans and Ephesians. There exist various views on Covenant Theology even among Baptists, with a primary distinction between some Baptists and Presbyterian brethren concerning the nature of the New Covenant. Some Presbyterians see one covenant with two administrations, but the New Covenant is truly new, flowing from the covenant of redemption. The Old Testament saints were saved by faith, trusting in God’s promise of a better day.
The faithful of the Old Testament, as noted in Hebrews 11:13-16, died in faith without having received the promises, but they saw them from afar and embraced them, desiring a heavenly country. Hebrews 11:39-40 affirms that these saints, though obtaining a good testimony through faith, did not receive the promise because God had provided something better for us. The recurring theme in Hebrews is the superiority of what is brought by Christ, as emphasized by the word “better.” Old Testament sacrifices could never take away sin, as Hebrews 10:1 declares that the law was a shadow of the good things to come, incapable of making its adherents perfect. The term “shadow” signifies that these sacrifices pointed to a greater reality. If they had been effective in removing sin, they would not have been continually offered; rather, they served as reminders of sin. The blood of bulls and goats could never take away sin. Hebrews 10:5-7, quoting Psalm 40, declares that God did not desire sacrifices and offerings but prepared a body for Christ to fulfill His will. Hebrews 10:9 states that He takes away the first to establish the second, and verse 10 confirms that believers have been sanctified through Christ’s offering once for all.
The Day of Atonement was an annual national cleansing rather than individual atonement. Hebrews contrasts the frequent sacrifices of the Old Testament with Christ’s singular, effective sacrifice. Christ entered not an earthly temple but heaven itself to appear before God for us. He did not offer Himself repeatedly as the high priest did annually, but at the end of the ages, He appeared once to put away sin by His sacrifice. As it is appointed for men to die once and then face judgment, so Christ was offered once to bear the sins of many, fulfilling Isaiah 53’s prophecy of the suffering servant. In Christ, our federal head, we are cleansed from all sin. The Abrahamic and Mosaic Covenants are seen as covenants of works, having stipulations, blessings, and cursings.
The Abrahamic Covenant is most akin to the New Covenant because of its emphasis on faith, yet it included circumcision as a sign. Genesis outlines the command for circumcision as the covenant sign. Unlike the Abrahamic and Mosaic covenants, the Davidic Covenant lacks a clear sign and federal head like Abraham or Moses. Instead, it points directly to Christ, the true and eternal King. The Davidic Covenant’s promise of an everlasting kingdom finds its fulfillment in Jesus, whose reign is eternal. While David is a symbol of the Messiah, Christ is the fulfillment. The Davidic Covenant focuses on a singular direction toward Christ, compared to the large populations associated with other covenants.
Abraham was justified by faith before he was circumcised. Romans 4 argues that Abraham’s faith was credited to him as righteousness prior to his circumcision, demonstrating that salvation has always been by faith. Genesis 15:6 affirms this truth, showing that righteousness came through belief in God’s promise. The Mosaic Covenant had the Ten Commandments and the law as its sign.
The New Covenant, based on the covenant of redemption, brings unparalleled blessings. Justification comes through Christ’s sacrifice. The old covenant obsolete. Hebrews affirms that Christ was offered once to bear the sins of many. Romans 5:1-2 assures believers of peace with God through faith, and the same writer declares there is no condemnation for those in Christ.
The supreme blessing of the New Covenant is the consummation of the new heavens and new earth, where believers will see the glory of God in the face of Christ. Psalm 16:11 speaks of the fullness of joy in God’s presence. The intermediate state is temporary as believers await their glorified bodies and the final fulfillment of God’s promises. The covenant of redemption between God and Christ is distinct from the New Covenant. As Charles Hodge notes, Christ is both a party in the covenant of redemption and the mediator of the New Covenant. In conclusion, these theological truths should lead to a deep appreciation of God’s redemptive work, stirring believers to live in obedience and hope, anticipating the glorious fulfillment of all His promises. May God grant understanding and application of these truths as His people seek to live faithfully in the present age.
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Dr. J. Vernon McGee introduces the Gospel of Mark as chronologically the first Gospel written and emphasizes that its author, John Mark, was not an apostle but had close associations with key figures like Paul, Barnabas (his uncle), and Peter (his spiritual son). Mark’s Jewish name was John, and Mark was his Latin surname. His mother, Mary, was a prominent Christian in Jerusalem whose home served as a meeting place for the church. Mark initially accompanied Paul and Barnabas on their first missionary journey but turned back, causing a disagreement between Paul and Barnabas, with Barnabas later taking Mark to Cyprus. However, Mark eventually redeemed himself, becoming profitable for the ministry later in Paul’s life. Dr. McGee also notes the early church tradition, supported by figures like Papias, that Mark’s Gospel is essentially Peter’s account.
Dr. McGee explains that the Gospel of Mark was specifically written for the Romans, catering to the Roman mind which valued strength and action. He contrasts this with Matthew, written for the nation of Israel and the religious man; Luke, for the thinking man; and John, for the wretched man. The Romans, while bringing peace, justice, and order, did so through force, representing active human power and a tendency towards dictatorship. Mark presents Jesus not as the king (like in Matthew) but as God’s servant, a man of action, with “Flaming headlines” like “Jesus came” and “He is risen”. The style of Mark is described as brief, blunt, pertinent, pithy, and action-oriented, evident in the frequent use of the connective “and”. Unlike Matthew, Mark does not include a genealogy because Romans were more concerned with a servant’s ability to do the job than their lineage.
Moving into Mark chapter 1, Dr. McGee highlights the beginning of the Gospel, which focuses on Jesus’ coming into the world, his public ministry, death, and resurrection. He discusses John the Baptist as the messenger preparing the way for the Lord, baptizing not for the remission of sins but “unto the remission of sins,” preparing people for Jesus’ arrival. Jesus’ baptism by John in the Jordan River marked his identification with mankind, accompanied by the Trinity appearing with the Spirit descending like a dove and the Father’s voice declaring, “Thou art my beloved Son”. Immediately after, the Spirit drove Jesus into the wilderness for 40 days where he was tempted by Satan, alongside wild beasts, while angels ministered to him. Following John’s imprisonment, Jesus began his ministry in Galilee, preaching the gospel of God, calling his first disciples (Simon, Andrew, James, and John) to become “fishers of men”.
Dr. McGee describes a typical busy day in Jesus’ ministry in Capernaum, starting on the Sabbath where he taught with authority, astonishing the people. The first recorded miracle in Mark is the casting out of an unclean spirit in the synagogue, demonstrating Jesus’ power in the spiritual realm. This was followed by the healing of Simon’s mother-in-law who had a fever. That evening, the entire city gathered, and Jesus healed many who were sick and cast out demons, who recognized him. Despite his busy schedule, Jesus made time to pray early in the morning and then decided to move on to other towns to preach. The chapter concludes with the healing of a leper, emphasizing Jesus’ compassion as he touched and cleansed him. Jesus instructed the man to remain silent but to show himself to the priest according to Mosaic law; however, the man disobeyed and publicized his healing widely.
Christopher Reed of Debra Perry & Jaidyn’s Call has been facing health challenges for several months. Recently, he shared an update about his condition.
Reed underwent a liver biopsy last week and had asked for prayers from his supporters. He remains steadfast in his faith, stating, “The devil is a liar and God is still on his throne.”
Addressing concerns about his health, Reed clarified his diagnosis. “I do not have cirrhosis of the liver. I do not have cirrhosis of the liver,” he emphasized. Instead, doctors have diagnosed him with fatty liver and mild fibrosis, which is considered stage one. He explained, “It is something that can be reversible.”
Reed views this diagnosis as a crucial moment in his life. “I’m going to tell you right now, it’s been a very, very big wake-up call,” he admitted.
Despite the challenges, Reed remains hopeful and determined to take the necessary steps toward improving his health. His supporters continue to stand by him in prayer and encouragement as he navigates this journey to recovery.
The gospel of Jesus Christ is of utmost importance, and getting it right is crucial. Many different versions of the gospel exist, but Scripture makes it clear that there is only one true gospel. In Paul’s letter to the Galatians, he strongly emphasizes the necessity of being faithful to the gospel he received through the revelation of Jesus Christ. He warns that deviating from the true gospel has eternal consequences. In Galatians 1:10-12, Paul makes it clear that his mission is not to please men but to serve Christ. The gospel he preached did not come from human teaching but directly from Jesus Christ. This divine origin underscores the authority and purity of the message of salvation.
The early church faced a significant controversy regarding the purity of the gospel. Paul and Barnabas had established churches in Galatia during their first missionary journey, but soon after, trouble arose. Satan always seeks to distort the truth, and certain men from Judea began teaching that Gentiles must be circumcised to be saved. Acts 14:25-28 records how Paul and Barnabas returned to Antioch and shared how God had opened the door of faith to the Gentiles. However, Acts 15:1 tells us that some men insisted that circumcision was necessary for salvation, leading to great distress among believers. The apostles and elders in Jerusalem gathered to address this issue. The Pharisees argued that Gentiles must follow the law of Moses, but Peter said that God had purified the hearts of the Gentiles by faith and that salvation is by grace alone. The Jerusalem Council concluded that Gentile believers were not bound by the Mosaic law for salvation, as stated in Acts 15:23-29. This declaration reaffirmed that salvation is by grace through faith in Christ alone.
Despite the clarity from the Jerusalem Council, Paul later received troubling news that the Galatians were turning away from the gospel of grace. The Judaizers had infiltrated the churches, discrediting Paul’s apostleship and promoting a false gospel that mixed grace with works. Paul immediately addressed this in Galatians 1:1-5, asserting his divine calling and emphasizing Christ’s sacrifice for sins. He expressed shock that the Galatians were so quickly embracing a different gospel, one that perverted the truth. Galatians 1:6-9 warns that anyone preaching another gospel, even an angel, should be accursed. This highlights the severe consequences of distorting the gospel message.
Understanding and defending the gospel is a responsibility of every believer. Some Christians today lack knowledge of their faith and cannot articulate the gospel clearly. Time is spent on worldly pursuits, but little effort is given to studying God’s Word. Investing in quality resources and spending time in Scripture is essential. A personal relationship with God requires more than just intellectual belief; it requires repentance and faith in Christ. A tragic reality is that some profess to be Christians yet cannot explain salvation. If one cannot explain how to be saved, how can they be sure they are saved? True conversion involves acknowledging sin, repenting, and trusting in Christ’s finished work on the cross. Salvation is not simply a ritual or an intellectual agreement; it is a desperate cry to God for mercy, leading to a transformed life.
False gospels abound, teaching that salvation is achieved by faith plus good works. Many believe that their good deeds contribute to their salvation, yet Scripture refutes this idea. Ephesians 2:8-9 says that salvation is a gift from God, not of works, so that no one can boast. Some teach that faith alone is insufficient, contradicting the clear teaching of Scripture. The Council of Trent anathematized those who hold to justification by faith alone, but Paul steadfastly proclaimed that justification is by grace alone through faith alone in Christ alone. Doesn’t adding works to the gospel imply that Christ’s sacrifice was not enough, which is a dangerous and false teaching?
The gospel of Jesus Christ is not to be compromised. Paul’s words serve as a warning against those who distort the truth. We must have the courage to stand firm in the true gospel, despite opposition. Evangelism and defending the faith will be met with resistance, but our confidence rests in the grace of God. Salvation is a free gift, and we must proclaim it rightly.
