The third phase of salvation is SEPARATION.
To this point in history, this is, by far, the smallest group. PLEASE NOTE that the separation is NOT FROM THE WORLD ITSELF BUT FROM WORLDLY PRINCIPLES. Remember, the devil can offer ALL THE KINGDOMS OF THIS WORLD, but we must respond: "Away from me, Satan! For it is written: Worship the Lord your God, and SERVE HIM ONLY" (Mt.4:10). This phase is the phase of MATURITY. We should realize that maturity , in Christ, is not simply gained by "years" but by DISCERNING HIS WILL AND DOING IT. Paul commended the Corinthians that: ". . . men will praise God for the OBEDIENCE that ACCOMPANIES your confession of the Gospel of Christ
. . ." (2Cor.9:13). As mentioned before, this is not legalistic obedience to the Law but obedience to the will of God. Jesus, Himself, confirmed this: "Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord', will enter the kingdom of heaven, but ONLY HE WHO DOES THE WILL OF MY FATHER who is in heaven"
(Mt.7:21). The more we recognize God's will and do it, the more mature we become and the more we can be trusted with more and greater gifts and works. However, KEEP IN MIND THE MOTIVATION/OBLIGATION TEST ! ! ! About the grace of giving (not only material things but also service), Paul said: "Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, NOT RELUCTANTLY or under COMPULSION (Obligation), FOR GOD LOVES A CHEERFUL GIVER. And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work (2Cor.9:6-8).
When God gives us something to do, we must put in all we have (We are not talking money here) and then see God put in the excess requirements. This is what he sets us apart for. In fact, THIS IS EXACTLY WHAT A CHURCH IS ! ! ! The English word, church, is from the Greek, ekklesia, "ek" meaning out or out of and "klesia" meaning call or called. The church, then, is a group of "called out ones". I hope you see here the absolutely ludicrous concept of a church being a building. Those who are called out (can be out of Groups A, B or C) are given a role and giftings to fulfill that role. We should note in passing that GOD HAS A PURPOSE FOR EVERY HUMAN BEING IN THE WORLD and we need to respond when God calls us out. REMEMBER THIS: Before Christ it was IMPOSSIBLE to be saved, after Christ it is IMPOSSIBLE NOT TO BE SAVED (We just need to accept). So God calls His church, THE BODY OF CHRIST. As Paul informs the Corinthian believers: "Now you are the body of Christ and EACH ONE OF YOU IS A PART OF IT. And in the church God has appointed first of all apostles, second prophets, third teachers . . ." (1Cor.12:27 -31). Speaking of Christ to the Ephesians, he said : "It was He who GAVE (the gk word actually means gifted) some to be apostles, some to be prophets, some to be evangelists . . . TO PREPARE GOD'S PEOPLE FOR WORKS OF SERVICE, so that the body of Christ may be built up . . . and become mature, ATTAINING TO THE WHOLE MEASURE OF THE FULLNESS OF CHRIST" (Eph.4:12). This is "the sanctifying (setting apart) work of the Spirit" spoken of by Paul to the Thessalonians: ". . . from the beginning God chose you to be saved through the sanctifying work of the Spirit AND through belief in the truth. He called you to this through our Gospel . . ." (2Thes.2:13-14). It is thus clearly seen that salvation is also very much a process. That process is maturity (Remember the process of maturity can be severely curtailed if we allow ourselves to come under law). God matures us by giving us opportunities to respond. He builds us up in our individual roles and giftings and he builds us up together with others. Paul told the Ephesians: ". . . you are no longer foreigners and aliens, but FELLOW CITIZENS WITH GOD'S PEOPLE and members of God's household, built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone. IN HIM the whole building is JOINED TOGETHER . . . And IN HIM you too are being BUILT TOGETHER to become a dwelling IN WHICH GOD LIVES BY HIS SPIRIT" (Eph.2:19-22). CAN IT GET ANY BETTER THAN THIS ? ? ? ( See also Php.1:3-6).
Look at this ! ! ! Paul says: "I became a servant of this Gospel BY THE GIFT OF GOD'S GRACE given me THROUGH THE WORKING OF HIS POWER. Although I am less than the least of all God's people, this grace was given me to PREACH to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ, and TO MAKE PLAIN TO EVERYONE the administration of this mystery . . . His INTENT was that NOW, THROUGH THE CHURCH, (Are you getting excited yet?) THE MANIFOLD WISDOM OF GOD SHOULD BE MADE KNOWN
(Can you believe that through the likes of us the manifold wisdom of God will be made known? . . . The word, manifold, is from a Greek word which in today's language means many-faceted). . . . In Him and through faith in Him we may approach God with FREEDOM AND CONFIDENCE"
(Eph.3:7-12). Do you see here the absolute link to prayer and, more specifically, answered prayer. THE MAIN KEY IS MATURING THROUGH KNOWING AND DOING THE WILL OF GOD ! ! ! The next paragraph will be set apart to help you understand how to know the will of God.
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Translator
True Prayer
True Gospel
