Is There an Order to Our Salvation?

Can faith come before repentance. That's just one of the questions will be answering on today's addition of core Christianity hi this is Bill Meyer along with Pastor Israel Sanchez and this is the radio program where we answer your questions about the Bible and the Christian life every day. You can call us right now with your question. At 833, the court, that's 1-833-843-2673. Our phone lines will be open for the next 25 minutes and you can talk to Pastor Israel live in the studio. You can also post your question on her Facebook, Instagram or twitter account. You can watch us right now on YouTube and you can email us with your question at questions at core, Christianity.com burst up today let's go to voicemail.

We received from one of our listeners named Austin question. No payment. My question is all that an equal payment is what we desire is all the eternity in hell held that a year that question. What is important to understand that the value of Christ's redeeming work.

The atoning death of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the reason it's of infinite values because who is offering this this payment for sins were not just talking about a mere man if you will. Were talking about the eternal son of God, the second person of the holy Trinity who became flesh to assume humanity the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, as John says in John chapter 1 verse 14 and so because of who it is that is offering this payment for sin, the eternal son of God in his flesh. It's this infinite payment for sins of infinite value.

And that's why that's what sufficient to to atone for our sins. That's why we don't have to spend an eternity in hell.

As you say, and there are several passages of Scripture, the just highlight this this truth, this reality, the value of Christ's blood for us to think of what Peter said in the book of first Peter chapter 1 beginning in verse 17 he wrote, if you call on him as Father who judges impartially according to each one's deeds conduct yourselves with fear throughout the time of your exile, knowing that you were ransomed from the futile ways inherited from your forefathers, not with perishable things such as silver or gold, but with the precious blood of Christ, like that of a lamb without blemish or spot. This is the, the spotless son of God were redeemed with with the perishable things Peter says we are redeemed by the eternal son of God himself. And then Paul actually says something very similar in the book of acts in acts chapter 20 is he's addressing the Ephesian elders he's he saying goodbye to them. He's he's giving them several warnings and he gives him this expectation.

Next chapter 20 verse 20 8P careful attention to yourselves and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers, take care for the church of God which he purchased or obtained with his own blood. Why is why is the death of our Lord Jesus Christ sufficient to atone for for the sins of the people whom he's redeemed. What's because it's God himself. The blood of God, not perishable things like silver and gold, but the blood of the eternal son of God and so and so that's what gives us confidence that we don't have to face God's judgment. It's the fact that God is offered up his own son for us and for our salvation. Thank you for that question. Austin such a powerful visual for us there are. Israel, thanks so much. This is core Christianity with Pastor Israel Sanchez and our phone lines are open right now. If you have a question about the Bible or the Christian life. Give us a call. During the next 20 minutes or so. Here's the phone number it's 833.

The core that's 1-833-843-2673 let's go to a voicemail from one of our listeners in Texas and I'll love you.

I don't know.

I talked about the one I met going to your life through you get rewarded by how we use our gifts, how we know when we do we show how we work with.if that's all true. There will they fill them with you yanked asleep in the alleys and having you know that kind of thing. Well, look there's one judgment that's forcing a lot. I want to say there's one judgment and that judgment which the whole world is an experience at the last day for believers, we experience that in Christ by faith.

The week we can be confident that when we stand before the Lord were to be received into glory because we are in Christ and our judgment was wrapped up in what happened to him. His death on the cross insofar as were united Christ we can have confidence for the day of judgment and that's what John talks about in in first John we can actually have confidence as believers so dark dark to judgment. You know like one.

Now were were were saved by faith. But later on at the final judgment were saved by works of that kind of thing know when were justified. Now today that's that's that the verdict of the final day being declared here and now and in Jesus.

And so there there really is a great comfort in that. But you brought up this this question of rewards are we going to be rewarded by the Lord, for how we lived our lives. And if that's the case are some people that have been "uncle bigger mansions in heaven. You know some people can get that the two bedroom one bath other people are getting at the foot of Lakeside. You know mansion with all the wonderful heavenly things associated with that so that language of of rewards comes from a couple of places in the New Testament in one place that sometimes will go is the parable of the talents in Matthew 25 where Jesus is is basically commending those who were faithful and in use the talents of God given to them in service to the Lord and into his kingdom another place other people frequently point to his first Corinthians chapter 3, which I just opened up to listen to what the apostle Paul there said there and in beginning in verse 10 to the court in the grace of God given to me like a skilled master builder I laid a foundation in someone else's building on it. Let each one take care how he builds upon it, for no one can lay a foundation other than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ.

Now if anyone builds on the foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, would Jesus draw each one's work will become manifest for the day will disclose it in their Paul is talking about that the day of judgment, because it will be revealed by fire and the fire will test what sort of work each one has done. If the work that anyone has built on the foundation survives, he will receive a reward. If anyone's work is burned up, he will suffer loss, though he himself will be saved, but only as through fire. Another context there is Paul is talking about his apostolic ministry. His ministry as a minister of the gospel going in proclaiming Jesus and he said look there's there's no other foundation that can be laid. It's the preaching of Jesus and others come and continue to preach the word and in the end God by the grace of the Spirit is building up the church to the ministry of that word, and there are to be people were commended for their faithful service to the Lord. They're going to receive a reward.

Now, what exactly that is. You know there there's a little bit of ambiguity there are places in the New Testament where it talks about the sort of crown that were going to receive a victors crown is referred to as an imperishable crown actually a little bit later in first Corinthians in first grade. In chapter 9 verse 25 were were serving the liberty to receive an imperishable crown elsewhere.

Paul refers to it as the crown of righteousness second Timothy chapter 4 verse eight James in James chapter 1 he referred to the crown of life that were going to receive. So there I think it's it's primarily referring to to salvation and just receiving that and so that what it looks like you know in terms of being commended by the Lord is at work were speculating. We know that you know I has not seen, nor ear heard the wonder of what God has prepared for those who love him and so we look forward to that. We look forward to hearing the words of our Lord Jesus.

Well done good and faithful servant and and we commit our ways to him and and what that looks like on the final day. You know I think were all good to be blown away can add it's good to be awesome. It's in a be wonderful, and so that that's that's how we I think need to approach this issue rather than saying the rewards you can look just like this units in a be that the heavenly mansion versus the two bedroom one bath that kind of a thing.

This don't want to speculate too much so thank you. I think I'm in a be in a pup tent under a railroad bridge.

Yeah, I think the new Jerusalem know what, honestly, it's gonna be awesome because we can all be around the throne of God worshiping him and what it would wonderful thing that will be.

This is core Christianity with pastor Israel Sanchez. They would love to hear from you.

If you have a question about the Bible or the Christian life. Give us a call right now. The phone lines open for the next 15 minutes or so 833. The core that's 1-833-843-2673 let's go to Doug in St. Louis, Missouri hi Doug, what your question for pastor. Israel ready to set up a biblical counseling ministry in the church that I would like to pastor one of the parameters that he uses for biblical counseling or does he even counsel at all. Thank you. I hate Doug looks like we lasted but will first let me just say biblical counsel who, what are the what are the parameters myself as as a minister of the gospel is a pastor. We do provide. I do provide biblical counseling, we might say, so somebody's going to something in the church and and they're looking for guidance or looking for wisdom, according to God's word and that's where we go, we apply the truth of Scripture and plead plead with God for wisdom, and in particular situations because not always black-and-white.

We go to the word and we apply the word of God to particular situations and help people apply the word of God, to themselves and so what that looks like, but I think you know there are there are some resources out there. I know that there is the Institute of biblical counseling that had a lot of free free resources actually on their website and and helpful stuff in them worksheets that people can use it. I've I recommended some of those in the past. Before I might even use some of those in the life of our church. I do think it is important for us as pastor and is part of. I think shepherding the people in your church to be able to apply the word of God to specific situations that are going on an individual's lives and had to help them apply the word of God, to themselves, and I think you know that what's necessary for that is, you just have to be saturated in the Scriptures so studying the word of God. Knowing the word of God and then and then as I said, asking God for wisdom as you think about these particular situations in the life of your church to be able to apply God's word faithfully and this should be something that's done alongside of the leadership of the church in particular the elders I read a little bit ago from acts chapter 20, where Paul is writing, speaking to the Ephesian elders and he said look shepherd the flock of God.

Shepherd the flock of God which is purchased with his own blood. It's it's it's the job of the elders of the church to be engaged in the lives of the individuals that the body that that God is brought together I and entrusted to their care and so part of that is applying Scripture to to the needs of the by now, there are situations that come up in the life of the church or in the life of the church works were something to say. It might be good for you to see a trained counselor or therapist in this particular situation. I think that that's also okay, you have to know. I think your limitation.

Sometimes there are there are issues. Mental illness issues that you need to be aware of and and I think that's a part of it too is is realizing that what what your parameters are what God is called you to do what what you're able to do as a church leader as a pastor in particular and then where it might also be wise to bring others into the discussion. People who are trained in in mental health and have studied and and worked in in that field for a long time can also provide some just common grace, wisdom and and help. And so I this this question requires a lot of wisdom a lot of prayer but I want to encourage you. I think it's a wonderful thing to be able to take the word of God know the word of God and apply to the particular needs in the life of the church and in individuals lives and so do that alongside of the elders of the church leadership of the church and may the Lord bless you as you do. This is core Christianity with pastor Israel Sanchez today we want to offer you a book that is truly a Christian classic.

It was written by a pastor and theologian who was actually a hero of World War II and was martyred for the stand that he took against Hitler and that is Dietrich Bonhoeffer yeah am glad you said that Bill Dietrich Bonhoeffer's book life together is probably my favorite book on Christian community and it's it's a really short read. It's not too long, but it packs a powerful punch. It's one of those books. It just emphasizes what it means for us to live together in community as Christians to be committed to to one another, not just with the sort of you know with the façade of everybody's find this a happy Christian fellowship but knowing each other. He talks about the stories yeah but knowing each other even as sinners who can be honest about our weaknesses about our struggles about our failures and grow together in the grace of Christ.

And so if you're thinking about it and want to learn more about Christian committee would meet to be part of the church get a hold of this resource life together would love to send you that for a donation of any amounts you can go to core Christianity.com/offers or you can give us a call for that offer him name whatever offers at 833 the core that's 833 the court let's go to voicemail.

We received from one of our listeners named Ashley I was talking with some family members over the weekend and an interesting question that I thought maybe it will help me answer before someone can have faith in Jesus. Do they need to acknowledge that center and have broken God's allies in various ways or can they just hear about Jesus and and then figure out the part where there sinners later Ashley thank you for that question really important as you as you think about salvation what's taking place when an individual comes to to know the Lord.

When they first experienced the grace of God what's required and you know, do I have to leave behind all my sins. Can I just believe in Jesus and then slowly I'm sort of and he's chipping away at the sin in my life and often times you were talking about the work of the Holy Spirit there some mystery here. I've ducted to people who say I just know that day were I believed in Jesus where I was safe quote unquote and other people so you know it seem like I was working in my life throughout a long period of time.

I don't know when it was exactly that that truly I was united to Jesus by faith but just I could see God's hand at work and one passage of Scripture that that I think about it, just in terms of, you know how we sort of understand this is Peter preaching in acts chapter 11. In describing the experience of an a number of Gentiles who heard his preaching, who heard him proclaiming the word of God. He says in acts chapter 11 verse 16 as he's reporting back to to the other disciples about the fact that that the Gentiles received the Holy Spirit. He says I remember the word that the Lord spoke how he said John baptized with water, but you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit, if then God gave the same gift to them as he gave to us when we believed in the Lord Jesus Christ, who was I that I could stand in God's way. When they heard these things, they fell silent and they glorified God, saying, then to the Gentiles. Also, God has granted repentance that leads to life and the focus in the entire context is as the word of God is being preached the spirit of God was working in the hearts of these individuals enlightening their minds renewing their wills drawing them to Jesus so that they have a sense of their sin of their guilt before the Lord and and they lay hold of Jesus by faith. You have got all the things sort of together right at the work of the Holy Spirit and and the preaching of the word and repentance until life believing is sort of interesting. You have all these things kind of kind of parallel if the question is do I have to get rid of all the sin in my life before I can be saved and come to Jesus, will the answer is no because none of us have done that no one does that.

And that even as believers who have been walking with Jesus for our entire lives. You know, we don't do that perfectly but as the word of God is being preached the spirit works in individuals renewing their minds, their wills, their hearts. I'm getting a sense of conviction of sin may they may not even understand all you know the entire doctrine of sin. What's what sin is. But, but the spirit is working and so I think we have to have room for the fact that person might have a very rudimentary understanding of what sin is, of what salvation is. But they have Jesus preached and they know I need him I need him.

I I long for him. I realize I need him, and they lay hold of him by faith, that they may not understand. You know all of the details related, but God is still working even even there and and sanctification looks like more and more God enlightening their minds, renewing them day by day by the grace of Christ is nothing that we can do to prepare ourselves to be saved is not like you do some works and then God do some works and then you're saved now it's all the work of God's holy spirit and so and so that's I would I would answer that question. Appreciate the question is wonderful to see how the world works and in and each of our lives, drawing us to himself. So thank you know Israel. There are some of the church that say accepting Jesus as Savior isn't enough unless you accepted him as your Lord, how does that play and how would you respond to that. Yeah well you know we either accept Jesus or we don't wait, wait, we don't accept half of Jesus, but my concern sometimes a people use this languages is there try to emphasize looking you have to do a number of things and then God will accept you and we come to the Lord broken weighed down by our sins and we lay hold of of the free grace of Jesus Christ. And when we do, were forgiven were were were justified in that moment, not because we've perfectly repented. None of us none of us do, but because we come to him and so and so that that's that's the reality. That's we see throughout the Gospels that we see in the New Testament as well. You know these people who are saved to a born again. They they've believed in Jesus respite. The stupid fight would say numbing Luther setting at the same time were just and sinful. And that's what he was getting at its is not that we just live in sin and and and don't want anything to do with God's that note were justified by the grace of God by faith alone in Jesus Christ.

We realize that we still we still have sin, we still struggle with it and so this is great tension in the Christian life are called day by day, to repent, to take up our cross and to follow him, but it's not that repentance saves us or justifies us.

It's Jesus by faith in man, by the way, we have a greater core question on this topic. If you'd like to dig in a little bit deeper. It's called what's the difference between justification and sanctification, and if you go to our website. Core, Christianity.com/questions just look for that one. The difference between justification and sanctification go to Allen in Springdale, Arkansas Alan, what's your question for Pastor Israel I get about 38 were repent and be baptized. Three figure mission of your spam.

I have a hard time about water baptism, regret, but always spirit and third baptism but happy for you help Albert.

Yes, excellent question here. In particular, I believe that Peter is referring to water baptism me on the day of Pentecost after he preaches the gospel were told in verse 41, so those who received his word were baptized there is referring to water baptism.

And there were added that day about 3000 souls. There's this great revival that comes through preaching the gospel there on the question is you. You seem to have here a real close tie to the forgiveness of sins of repent and be baptized everyone of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And some people say will does that mean that when your baptism is that that's the moment where your sins are forgiven, and unless you you've been baptized and that can't be the case you your your sins are forgiven. Well this is been debated throughout the history of the church. My sense is that you know baptism is the sign and seal of what God does for us in his son Jesus of our of our union with Christ in his death and resurrection. There is such a close tie between the beat the sign of baptism and the reality that points to the that Peter can speak in this way that he can tie the two of them together. Now, does that mean that every single person is who is baptized is undoubtedly regenerated, save that their sins are forgiven and I don't think so because I think that that's something that that comes through faith and in the spirit uses faith with the means that God gives these these ordinances baptism, the Lord's supper. The preaching of the word, to make them effective or effectual, we might say and so yeah I made it were called to be baptized and baptism is a sign of the gospel to sign what God has done. But apart from faith apart from faith, we can't be saved even if we receive the signs of so it's the spirit of God was working through these means to accomplish the reality that they point to the forgiveness of sins.

This letter, we want to minimize these these things.

What we can't do.

These are given to us by the Lord himself.

Their tokens if you will, of the gospel of his goodwill for us to his people.

That is surely as we experience these realities externally by faith, we have what they point to some people talk about the importance of remembering your baptism when you're baptized you work you is great picture of your union with Jesus and his death and resurrection for you receive it. Believe it, embrace it and live accordingly. Thanks for listening to core Christianity request your copy of today's special offer. Visit us at core, Christianity.com and click on offers and the menu bar or call us at 1-833-843-2673.

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As we explore the truth of God's word together