FROM THE PULPIT: SALVATION IS OF THE LORD

Most everyone is familiar with this wonderful story which we find here in Jonah and the second chapter; let's look and see just exactly what God showed him in the fishes belly. Incidentally, these very truths of the Gospel of God's grace are what all who trust Christ also acknowledge when they are drawn unto the Lord of glory.

One. Salvation is of the Lord in its ORIGIN. This is to say and know that "the whole work whereby a guilty, fallen son or daughter of Adam is lifted from the dunghill, washed, justified, and translated into the kingdom of God and made like unto the beloved Son of God is of the Lord from the beginning to its glorious consummation" (Charles H. Spurgeon). Our Lord planned and purposed the grand work of the redemption of his people from the beginning. (Eph. 1:3,4; 2 Thess. 2:13). The calling of a sinner from their dead works unto newness of life is the product of the all wise and all powerful Jehovah God.

Two. Salvation is of the Lord in its EXECUTION. This plan or decree of God must have execution in order for any sinner to receive the Mercy of God. The father made His only begotten son to be surety for an elect people, chosen in the son and represented by the son in order that he might redeem them and bring them to glory (John 6:37-45; 10:14-16, 24-31). The wrath and Holiness of God must be appeased; the Law of God must be honored; and the Righteousness of God must fulfilled. The answer to all these demands find their utmost satisfaction in the Lord Jesus Christ (Heb. 10:9-17; Act 2:22,23; 4:27, 28; 1 Cor. 15:1-3).

Three. Salvation is of the Lord in its APPLICATION. That is, God the Holy Spirit, through His irresistible grace and charm applies the blood of Christ to the now broken-hearted sinner. "NO," says the advocate of free will, "God has done all he can do now the rest is up to you, all you have to do is accept it." This is certainly not the language of Grace or the Bible. Can a DEAD sinner come alive again on his own? Can a lost sheep find itself? Can the Ethiopian change his skin or the leopard his spots? (Eph. 2:1-3, Matt. 18:12; Jer. 13:23). Never my friends! His people are made willing in the day of His power (Ps. 110:3). "Of His own will begat He us with the word of truth" (James 1:18). When is any sinner saved? Paul summed it up this way in Galatians 1:15: "But when it PLEASED GOD, who separated me form my mother's womb, and called me by his grace, to reveal his Son in me."

Four. Lastly, Salvation is of the Lord in its SUSTAINING POWER. It stands to reason that if the Father sent His only beloved Son to redeem a people, that those people "Shall Never Perish" (John 10, Jude 24). Oh what blessed truths did Jonah proclaim, what blessed hope he had in his redeemer. So to do all the children of promise believe and find rest in Him who gave himself for them.