Concerning Salvation
A guest post by Chad Ramsey.
Sin Separates Us From God.
The prophet Isaiah described a consequence of sin when he wrote:
“But your iniquities have separated you from your God; and your sins have hidden His face from you so that He will not hear” (Isaiah 59:2).
When we consider that no one is without sin (Romans 3:23), we may conclude that all people, if left on their own, will eventually be separated from God (see 2 Thessalonians 1:9).
Importantly, man’s separation from God cannot be attributed to God’s indifference. God both desires man’s salvation and has also made provisions for such (see 1 Timothy 2:4; Romans 5:6-8). Instead, man’s separation from God occurs because of God’s holiness, for He is “of purer eyes than to behold evil, and cannot look on wickedness” (Habakkuk 1:13).
Thankfully, God did not leave us in a hopeless condition but sent Jesus Christ to die so that we might be redeemed. As Paul wrote:
“For He made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him” (2 Corinthians 5:21).
In other words, there is a plan for man’s salvation.
God’s Plan to Save Us.
Students of Scripture are aware that the theme of salvation permeates the New Testament.
Shown in Peter’s Pentecost Sermon.
After Peter had convicted the Jews gathered on Pentecost of crucifying the Christ (Acts 2:36), his audience asked:
“Men and brethren, what shall we do?”
The context shows that these troubled souls were asking for instructions regarding salvation. In response, Peter told them to repent and be baptized (Acts 2:38). The urgency of their situation is seen in his continual exhortations, for “with many other words he testified and exhorted them, saying, ‘Be saved from this perverse generation’” (Acts 2:40).
Peter’s message proves that although man’s sins separate him from God, man does not have to remain in sin. The gospel message is “the power of God to salvation” (Romans 1:16); Jesus is “the author of eternal salvation to all who obey Him” (Hebrews 5:9). God certainly has a plan for man’s salvation.
The only question is whether man is willing to obey it.
Shown in Jesus’ Great Commission.
Perhaps one of the clearest declarations regarding God’s plan for man’s salvation is found in Jesus’s Great Commission.
Prior to His ascension, Jesus provided instructions to His apostles regarding their mission. Their task, which was to continue till “the end of the age” (Matthew 28:20), was to “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature” (Mark 16:15).
Importantly, the message they were to present emphasized the necessity of both belief and baptism. Describing this, Jesus stated:
“He who believes and is baptized shall be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned” (verse 16).
Upon examination, the actions set forth in Mark 16:16 stand for the whole of obedience. Belief, which precedes any outward action on man’s part, must be followed by one’s willing submission to Christ in baptism.
Belief is necessary, for “without faith it is impossible to please him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him” (Hebrews 11:6).
Baptism is necessary, for in baptism one’s sins are washed away by the blood of Jesus Christ (see Acts 22:16).
Have you obeyed God’s plan?
Chad Ramsey preaches for the Gloster Street Church of Christ in Tupelo, Mississippi. You can access their Bible classes and Chad’s sermons on Gloster Street’s YouTube page.
Chad was - and still is - “my preacher” from when I spent my high school and early college years at Gloster Street. I’m thankful to be able to share some of his writings with you.
I think I am hesitant to take that verse in Habakkuk in a literal sense, because God absolutely can and does look upon evil, he sees wickedness and he judges it. If God didn't see the evil on the earth, he would not have sent the flood. and Sodom and gomorrah, how would he have known sin was there if he can't look upon it?
It seem similar to a theory that God can't be in the presence of sin or look upon it, but we do know that Satan had a conversation with God about what to do with job twice. and after Adam and Eve had sinned God was walking in the garden and looking for them and had a conversation with all of them, including Satan. Not to mention the times that God in the Old testament appeared to / talked to people like abraham, noah, david, Samuel, moses, Samuel, etc. These were all sinful men, but God talked to them. God has been in the presence of sinful human beings, and he can indeed look upon sin. He is set apart/holy, but is not corrupted by the sight or presence of sin.
also, 2 Corinthians 5:21, here is an article on was Jesus made to be sin or a sin offering? https://aimeewilliams.substack.com/p/did-jesus-become-sin-2-cor-521