The Umbrella Over It All

Add to This, Everyone is “Lost” and Needs to be Saved

• As for you, you were [“are” still, if not a Christian, since Paul here is talking to Christians] dead in your transgressions and sins, in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient. All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our sinful nature and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature objects of wrath.
• But because of his great love for us [again, Paul is here ONLY talking to the “saved”], God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions — it is by grace you [again, assuming you are a Christian] have been saved.  And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus.
• For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith — and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God — not by works, so that no one can boast. 
• For we are God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.  ^Eph 2:1-10

There Are Clear Conditions for “Finding” This Grace to be Saved

• All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, because,
  “God opposes the proud
  but gives grace to [and ONLY to] the humble.”
• Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time.
• Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you. ^1Pe 5:5-7
• And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him. ^Heb 11:6

Many boldly assert the promises of salvation, when they die, without seeking any current evidence the claims are true for and to them!

There are too many “therefores,” “becauses,” “so thats,” “ifs,” “whens,” etc. in the Bible to ignore them until the inevitable comes – as it surely will! The “catch” to Christianity is that God only gives grace to certain people – to the humble.  Search as you may and you won’t find any other people promised or receiving grace (in the form of eternal salvation) other than the humble.

So what is humility?

• Those who see a personal need of help.
• AND those who find this help.
• AND those who, when they find it, “accept” it – not just verbally assent to it, without any change, but those who believe it (Him in this case) enough to do what He says to do.
• AND those who are changed as intended.

Thus, the Christian “rub:” many will “believe” to the extent (and to no avail) that they don’t have to give up anything or change!  THIS is the exact opposite of humility!

There Will Be Clear Evidences of True, God-Produced and God-Given, Salvation

In the case of the Christian faith, it is TOTALLY clear, if a person reads the Bible at all, that the change required by God is not a momentary change – it is an eternal transformation BEGINNING now.  It is faith in God to do what He says so that we can do what He tell us is best for us and that He requires (not suggests, hopes for, pleads with us for – that He requires).

There has not been a saving faith, as defined by the Bible, unless there is EVIDENCE God has made a “deep” change in our life – our desiring, thinking and doing. And this change will be demonstrated by:

• A desire for the presence and Word of God – to be with God and hear what He is saying.
• A conviction that He and His principles are stronger than the powers of the world.
• A growth in the things of God – gained only through exercising the disciplines He (like any parent raising their children) stipulates FOR OUR GOOD.

The Umbrella Over It All?

The FULL extent of our faith (and thus the grace we receive) will be limited or expanded by our rejection or acceptance of the sovereignty of God. That is why we find the salvation of God always “tied” to the acceptance of the promises of God:

• “O you of little faith? So do not worry, saying, ‘What shall we eat?’ or ‘What shall we drink?’ or ‘What shall we wear?’ For the pagans run after all these things, and your heavenly Father knows that you need them. But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” ^Mt 6:30-33
  
  God can and does say this ONLY because He is sovereign – faith is believing (and living as such!) that this is true.  We can only seek God first when, and to the extent, What God says He can and WILL do!
  
  Do not work for food that spoils, but for food that endures to eternal life, which the Son of Man will give you. ^Jn 6:27
  
  This takes faith!  A lot of faith!  Faith only God can give us – Sovereign-given, saving, faith.
• Exercise daily in God – no spiritual flabbiness, please! Workouts in the gymnasiums are useful, but a disciplined life in God is far more so, making you fit both today and forever. You can count on this. Take it to heart. This is why we’ve thrown ourselves into this venture so totally.  We’re banking on the living God, Savior . . .”  ^{The Message 1 Timothy Chapter 4}

The reason why “seeking” God is required for humility, grace and salvation is that if/when we are not seeking God we are seeking and slaving for the world and all it “offers” us.  Why be a slave to the world when we only have a few years here?  “You will surely die” ^Ge 2:17 is a universal truth none escape.

But all of this God-talk is foolishness UNLESS we believe God is sovereign – unless He gives us the ability to believe – to believe when He tells us He can/will provide the time, money, ability . . . to do something, He will see it done!  When we say and live as if we don’t have the time, money, abilities  . . . we deny His sovereignty. Living under God’s umbrella of sovereignty is all that will protect us from the harsh “sun” of the world.

Rest under God’s saving umbrella!