A Difficult Salvation

A Difficult Salvation

“If the righteous one is scarcely saved, where will the ungodly and the sinner appear?” 1 Pet. 4:18.

Jesus does not send anyone away who comes to Him in humility and acknowledgement, and who uprightly prays for the forgiveness of sins. “If you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.” “For with the heart one believes to righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made to salvation. For the Scripture says, ‘Whoever believes on Him will not be put to shame.’” There are no difficulties in the way from Jesus’ side, but the difficulty lies with us. Relatives, friends, and others can be a hindrance. They themselves do not want to enter through the narrow gate that leads to life, and they prevent others from entering. Therefore Jesus says, “Strive to enter through the narrow gate, for many, I say to you, will seek to enter and will not be able.” Luke 13:24.

All those who enter through the narrow gate partake of a deeper salvation. “For if when we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life.” Rom. 5:10.

It is quite obvious that it is very difficult to partake of this further and deeper salvation for everyone who desires to follow Christ in righteousness and in the fear of God. We are only saved relative to our acknowledgment and deeper cleansing. However, it is difficult to see ourselves. Therefore we are exhorted to come together and encourage one another.

Together with the others we can comprehend and understand how to share in the growth of the body into Him who is the head. It is evident that it is difficult, seeing that Paul considered it necessary to exhort every one with tears for three years. Among his co-workers he had no one who was as like-minded as Timothy. They all sought their own. There was not one single wise man in Corinth despite the fact that they had the right doctrine and possessed all the gifts of the Spirit.

It is very difficult to be completely exact in word and deed in spite of being powerfully influenced in that direction by way of meetings and gatherings.

Nevertheless, God be praised that it is fully possible; but it is impossible without a living faith. How will it go with the person who is outside all this good influence to salvation in the body of Christ?