Spirit and Truth Ministries
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Don Hawley
May 24, 2001
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Before I arose this morning the Holy Spirit gave me some added insight into an important subject. I want to share that understanding.
Years ago, when I was still locked into the guilt and pain of legalism, I did manage to come up with one helpful scenario:
"If you belong to Christ you are then in the circle of God’s love. When stumble into sin, and you will, the devil immediately attacks. ‘There you go again, a hopeless case if I ever saw one. Now you’re outside the circle again, you might as well give up.’ As usual the devil is into the big lie. When you fall you are still inside the circle, still surrounded by his love where forgiveness is lovingly offered. Just ask for that forgiveness, and receive it with thanks. Then get right back up and go on with your life in Him. His mercies are new every morning.
"Now it is possible to get outside the circle, but it isn’t easy. It takes a deliberate act of the will, a suicidal choice."
Now that’s a good scenario and I found it very helpful—when I could bring myself to believe it. However, now that I have the assurance of salvation rather than merely a blessed hope, I perceive something even beyond that scenario.
HOW GOOD IS THE "GOOD NEWS?"
In order to appreciate fully the thoughts I’m about to present, one must understand my position on the matter of salvation. If you have my book THE FINAL TEST—For the Final Generation, please review the chapter entitled "God is Going to Win Big!"
Or you can peruse the article "The ‘Good News’ Is Better Than You Thought" under "Doctrines" at my web site www.spiritandtruth.com.
When I first released this article on the Internet I was startled to receive some hate mail! It became obvious that many Christians don’t like to think of a large portion of the human race ending up in heaven. Apparently they prefer to think of themselves there as part of some select little remnant, with the devil narrowly defeated in his plan to do away with humanity.
An attempt to encapsulate a vital truth in 25 words or less is always difficult, and seldom does justice to the topic. Truth needs to be thoroughly buttressed with Scripture—which is what I have done in my book and on my web site. However, here is the heart of the matter:
"The good news of the gospel is that through Christ all men are saved, except those who willfully, personally, and finally reject whatever revelation God has given them of himself."
The truth is that you were born saved! It is something you’ve always had, have now, and will always have as long as you do not reject that precious gift.
TWO DEATHS
The Bible speaks of two distinct deaths. The first is that which befalls all men, but there is another.
"Whoever is victorious will not be hurt by the second death." Rev. 2:11
TWO RESURRECTIONS
Scripture also talks about two resurrections.
"Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice, and shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation." John 5:28, 29."
"Blessed and holy are those who share in the first resurrection. For them the second death holds no power . . ." Rev. 20:6
(Note. A lack of knowledge about two deaths and two resurrections clouds the death penalty debate. While God’s major focus is on the second death from which there is no resurrection, mankind’s interest is almost exclusively on the first—which is temporary for both the righteous and the unrighteous.)
TWO KINGDOMS
There is the Kingdom of Grace that is available now,
"But if I am casting out demons by the Spirit of God, then the Kingdom of God has arrived among you." Matt. 12:28
And the Kingdom of Glory that is still future.
"But when the Son of Man comes in his glory, and all the angels with him, then he will sit upon his glorious throne . . . Then the King will to those on the right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father, inherit the Kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world." Matt. 25:31, 34.
TWO BAPTISMS
Both John the Baptist and Jesus spoke of two baptisms.
"I baptize with water; but someone is coming soon who is greater than I am—so much greater that I am not even worthy to be his slave. He will baptize you with the Holy Spirit and with fire." Luke 3:16
"John baptized with water, but in just a few days you will be baptized with the Holy Spirit." Acts 1:5.
TWO BIRTHS
Not surprisingly there also are two births. The one that brings us into being is to be followed by yet another.
"I assure you, unless you are born again, you can never see the Kingdom
of God."
John 3:3
(Note: Although the term "born again" is so much used in Christian circles, it never appears in Scripture outside of this particular encounter with Nicodemus.)
With my legalistic mindset I easily assumed that Jesus was telling Nicodemus that unless he had what is referred to as "a conversion experience," he could not go to heaven. For a time that troubled me as it seemed to go against my understanding that we are born saved—and can lose that salvation only by rejection. However, if we look further we see that Jesus was speaking to Nicodemus not only about entrance into the Kingdom of Glory, but also about the present benefits of the Kingdom of Grace.
"Jesus replied, ‘The truth is no one can enter the Kingdom of God without being born of water and the Spirit. Humans can reproduce only human life, but the Holy Spirit gives new life from heaven." Vs. 5, 6.
I do not doubt for a moment but what Nicodemus was already in a saved relationship with Christ, but Jesus wanted him to understand the depths of that precious salvation and at what cost it was gained.
And Jesus wanted more for Nicodemus even beyond his eternal salvation. Much more. Water baptism is important in that it symbolizes the death, burial, and resurrection of Christ for our salvation. However, even after taking this important step, the candidate is still apt to be an infant in understanding the fullness of life in the Lord.
Our justification provides the assurance of eternal life, but it is to be followed by the process of sanctification. A baby by definition is one expected to grow. God wants for us not only life in eternity, but abundant life right now. Our salvation should produce a new obedience, significant character growth in the fruit of the Spirit, and an understanding of—and experience with—the gifts of the Spirit. There should be an empowerment for ministry. Baptism by water should be accompanied by baptism with fire.
Jesus told Nicodemus that by receiving both baptisms he could experience not only salvation for eternity, but also a "new life from heaven" through the Spirit right now. The sad truth is that many, many Christians still need to comprehend what the Savior told this Pharisee. They have their salvation (although some are not quite certain of even that), but they are missing out on the "journey beyond salvation." It is time to live the fullness of life in Christ through the Spirit as the Father has planned.