Ephesians 4:17-27, “This I say therefore, and testify in the Lord, that ye henceforth walk not as other Gentiles walk, in the vanity of their mind, Having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart: Who being past feeling have given themselves over unto lasciviousness, to work all uncleanness with greediness. But ye have not so learned Christ; If so be that ye have heard him, and have been taught by him, as the truth is in Jesus: That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts; And be renewed in the spirit of your mind; And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness. Wherefore putting away lying, speak every man truth with his neighbour: for we are members one of another. Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath: Neither give place to the devil.”
Getting saved (i.e., being born again into God's family) has absolutely nothing to do with living the Christian life. Eternal life is a free gift, that you simply receive by faith. The Devil has crept the lie into many churches today, that says you must repent of your sins (i.e., turn away from the old life of sin) as a requirement to received God's gift. They people who teach these horrible errors are woefully ignorant of the Holy Scriptures and the Gospel of free grace.
Getting saved happens when a man is persuaded that he is a sinner, and Jesus died for those sins on the cross, was buried and resurrected three days later. That is the 'Good News' (or Gospel), by which you are saved, if you BELIEVE. But then there is a second decision which God wants you to make, as His child, and that is to follow Jesus as your Lord and live for Him faithfully. Ephesians 4:22-24 “That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts; And be renewed in the spirit of your mind; And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.”
And again we are taught in Romans 12:1-2, “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.” Serving the Lord is not one's mandatory or required service; but rather, it is our “reasonable service” as redeemed saints. The Apostle Paul says we are transformed—here it is again as we saw in Ephesians 4:23—“by the renewing of your mind”!
Pacific Garden Mission (PGM) in Chicago has broadcast their popular 'UNSHACKLED' radio drama series since 1950. Harry Saulnier (1902-1990) used to have a 15 minutes spot on the radio called: “Doorway To Heaven” in 1945. That little life-changing series would inspire Pastor Saulnier to start Unshackled in 1950. Their first program featured Billy Sunday (1862-1935), the baseball player who got saved at PGM and became a world famous evangelist. Unfortunately, PGM is preaching another gospel of Lordship Salvation nowadays, which they didn't preach in 1950.
Sadly, neo-evangelicals have crept into tens of thousands of churches across America, and the world, led by the godfather of Calvinism of modern times—Pastor John MacArthur! Calvinism is a perversion of God's grace! To attack the grace of God is to attack the God of grace, the gift of grace, the guardian of grace (which is the New Testament local church), and the goal of grace (which is to preach the Gospel to the world). We cannot fulfill The Great Commission with a counterfeit gospel!
When a person comes to Christ as a needy sinner and believes the Gospel to be saved, they are instantly indwelt and sealed forever with the blessed Holy Spirit (Ephesians 1:13-15; 1st Corinthians 3:16-17; Romans 8:9; 1st John 3:24). The indwelling Holy Spirit is the believer's eternal life and eternal security!!! 1st John 5:20, “And we know that the Son of God is come, and hath given us an understanding, that we may know him that is true, and we are in him that is true, even in his Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God, and eternal life.” If you have Jesus Christ as your personal Savior, you have eternal life in you, because JESUS IS GOD AND ETERNAL LIFE!!!
When a person trusts Jesus Christ as their Savior, they are born-again. The Holy Spirit comes inside to live at the moment of salvation, Who will never leave or forsake a child of God (Hebrews 13:5). But now that person needs to put on the new man, by walking in the Spirit. Galatians 5:25, “If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.” It is important that we keep getting saved and serving Christ separate, or else it causes all kinds of confusion. John Bunyan made this excellent statement:
“If you do not put a difference between justification wrought by the man Christ without and sanctification wrought by the Spirit of Christ within, you are not able to divide the Word aright; but contrariwise, you corrupt the Word of God, and cast stumbling blocks before the people.” —Evangelist John Bunyan
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