How to Really Know God has a Plan of Salvation for You! ⋆ Effie Darlene Barba %

Last week in Romans 9, Paul doubled down on the Sovereignty of God. As now we move to Romans 10. He speaks of salvation by faith. That is to all who with their heart: believe, repent, and confess Jesus Christ as the only way of salvation. Can both the Sovereignty of God and the freedom of humans be equally true? And if so, how can you know God has a plan of salvation for you? What if you are not one of the chosen ones given to Christ by the Father? But then Paul did write,

“The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart” (that is, the word of faith which we preach): that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. For the Scripture says, “Whoever believes on Him will not be put to shame.” For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek, for the same Lord over all is rich to all who call upon Him. For “whoever calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.” Romans 10:8-13 NKJV

This righteousness is one that does not come from human effort. It is the gift of Christ to all who calls on the name of Christ believing that He is the only way of salvation. Knowing by faith that He is the Son of God, who died on the cross, and was raised again. All the truths of God are beyond our comprehension. Yet, we can KNOW they are true. That is by faith. A faith that is supernaturally charged.

How to Really Know God

So many things about God are a mystery to our finite minds. We are merely creatures, and He is the creator of it all. How can we ever truly hope to understand Him and His plan? Often, we want to question His plan. As did Job, Elijah, and Habakkuk? As though He needed to explain to us every why or how?

“The secret things belong to the Lord our God, but those things which are revealed belong to us and to our children forever, that we may do all the words of this law.” Deuteronomy 29:29 (NKJV)

Can the creature truly say to the Creator, “Why have you done this?” Or does faith mean we fully believe He is Sovereign? And that He truly rewards those who diligently seek Him? That is what Hebrews 11:6 says!

What was the context in which Moses spoke these words to the people? He was reminding them of this truth. The only absolute was to not turn their eyes away from God as Lord and Master. Moses was pointing out. All who looked to self-righteousness or to any idols of any kind would become as Sodom and Gomorrah did. Moreover, he told them that they would be exiled from their land and endure many hardships. If they turned their back on looking to God alone for salvation.

Paul Speaking to the Nation of Israel

Now Paul, is reminding the nation of Israel that God does not desire self-righteous zeal . Why? Because self righteous zeal denies the truth of the gospel. The people wanted to believe they were righteous through the law itself. They had a zeal for God, but without true knowledge. So how can any of you know God has a plan of salvation for you if zeal is not enough?

Brethren, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for Israel is that they may be saved. For I bear them witness that they have a zeal for God, but not according to knowledge. For they being ignorant of God’s righteousness, and seeking to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted to the righteousness of God. For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes. Romans 10:1-4 NKJV

How did Paul even dare to address the nation of Israel thus? Did he not know they had been given the law of God? Of course he did. He had been among the most zealous of all!

For we are the circumcision, which worship God in the spirit, and rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh. Though I might also have confidence in the flesh. If any other man thinketh that he hath whereof he might trust in the flesh, I more: Circumcised the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, an Hebrew of the Hebrews; as touching the law, a Pharisee; Concerning zeal, persecuting the church; touching the righteousness which is in the law, blameless. But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ. Philippians 3: 3 –7 (KJV).

He was caught in the same blindness as them. That is until that day on the road to Damascus. Jesus called out his name after being physically blinded by the brilliant light of God as recorded in Acts 9:1-9.

God obviously had a plan of salvation for Paul. But how can you know if God has a plan of salvation for you?

Regarding His Conversion, Paul wrote:

For I would have you know, brothers and sisters, that the gospel which was preached by me is not of human invention. For I neither received it from man, nor was I taught it, but I received it through a revelation of Jesus Christ.

For you have heard of my former way of life in Judaism, how I used to persecute the church of God beyond measure and tried to destroy it; and I was advancing in Judaism beyond many of my contemporaries among my countrymen, being more extremely zealous for my ancestral traditions. But when He who had set me apart even from my mother’s womb and called me through His grace was pleased to reveal His Son in me so that I might preach Him among the Gentile Galatians 1:11-16 NASB

Paul is here very specifically noting that he was chosen before he was ever aware. Again, pointing to predestination and election. Why does the Bible do this? One minute says one and another moment points to choosing.

This week I do believe I heard one of the best sermons on this from the John McArthur

John MacArthur: Does the Doctrine of the Divine Decrees Eliminate Human Will?

In this video, he began with Isaiah and moved to what Jesus said in John 3, then Paul. In each scripture, it includes the truth of Divine Decree and humanity’s culpability. His conclusion is: there is no human explanation for both being true. But that God was quite comfortable placing within the same passages both as truth, side by side. So, the conclusion is: we trust the wisdom and sovereignty of God being much more than we can understand. So, as we work through some of these scriptures, the question comes to mind, again. How do you know that God has a plan of salvation for you? Well hold on and do not check out yet.

A Look into What Jesus Said about Salvation

There was a man of the Pharisees named Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews. This man came to Jesus by night and said to Him, “Rabbi, we know that You are a teacher come from God; for no one can do these signs that You do unless God is with him.” Jesus answered and said to him, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” Nicodemus said to Him, “How can a man be born when he is old? Can he enter a second time into his mother’s womb and be born?” John 3:1-4 (NKJV)>

Obviously, there is no way that a person can put themselves again into their mother’s womb. None of us have anything to do with our own original birth either. So, if we have nothing to do with our physical birth. Do we have anything to do with our spiritual birth?

Jesus answered, “Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Do not marvel that I said to you, ‘You must be born again.’ The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear the sound of it, but cannot tell where it comes from and where it goes. So is everyone who is born of the Spirit.” John 3:5-8 (NKJV)

Jesus’ point was that just as the wind cannot be controlled or understood by human beings, but its effects can be witnessed, so also it is with the Holy Spirit. He cannot be controlled or understood, but the proof of His work is apparent. Where the Spirit works, there is undeniable and unmistakable evidence.1 _{MacArthur, John; NASB MacArthur Study Bible, 2nd Edition Copyright © 1997, 2006, 2019 by Thomas Nelson., noted on page 2169}

Then, Salvation by Grace, Looking Upon the Messiah, Jesus Christ in Faith

Jesus then reminds Nicodemus that even the Old Testament was Salvation through faith, as it had been when Moses lifted the serpent in the Wilderness. All the people had to do was look at it believing they would be saved. Look! That was freedom of choice. This was an Old Testament reference that Jesus would die and not the only one. Daniel also spoke of the Messiah being cut off at the end of 69 weeks. There is the one week remaining for the cleansing of Israel as a nation and that is the tribulation. All that is in Daniel 9. Also, Isaiah spoke extensively about Jesus taking all the punishment. Even in the Old Testament, Salvation was by faith, looking forward to the Messiah’s payment of sin. No one kept the law perfectly. Not even God’s chosen Old Testament Saints.

even so must the Son of Man be lifted up, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life. For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.

“He who believes in Him is not condemned; but he who does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. And this is the condemnation, that the light has come into the world, and men loved darkness rather than light, because their deeds were evil. For everyone practicing evil hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his deeds should be exposed. But he who does the truth comes to the light, that his deeds may be clearly seen, that they have been done in God.” John 3:14-21 (NKJV)

Do I need to know how Divine Appointment through Predestination and election are true? Or how humanity’s absolute culpability for denying Christ is also true? Nope. No more than I need to understand how He created the heavens and the earth and holds it all together. All that is beyond me. But I do know how He transforms my life, day by day. And how He can calm my Spirit when in dismay. I watch His magnificent power transform my life, my heart, and my thoughts. The miracles I see around me are enough to trust Him in everything.

An Example Today in my life.

I went to the open market today. Normally, I carry a small change purse . Today, it had around 500 pesos in it. I do that so that I do not have to get out my billfold with all my ID’s, cards, etc. Well at one point, I got it out to buy “nopales”. Then, I must have dropped it as I put the nopales in a carrying bag I had with me. I walked maybe 1 foot to another market stand. Then I realized it was missing.

Immediately, I looked back and did not see it anywhere behind me. Therefore, it must have been picked up by someone who saw it fall from my hands. They did not say anything to me. My first thought, after searching frantically, was to think it was a condemnation from God. Maybe for something I had thought or done. I racked my brain, to search for something to repent of. Back to legalism I fell so quickly!

But God Reminded me.

I know the truth about Salvation being an act of pure grace. Understanding His Sovereign Divine will being at play. And also knowing “there is therefore now no condemnation for those in Christ Jesus”(Rom 8:1), I had to rethink. I still prayed for repentance of any sins, known or unknown. Then, suddenly, I realized maybe He was going to use that act by the other. How? to do a work in their life. Or perhaps it was for me. Can I question God? After all, in the scheme of things it was about 30 US dollars.

Still, it reminded me of who I am in Jesus Christ. His chosen, redeemed, blessed, beloved, bride to be. The Daughter of the Most High God. Nothing happens to me outside His Will. And that was a reminder I really needed. So, harsh I can be on me. So, quick to judge myself. Lately, my cause of concern or sadness.

So, back to the question I began with.

How do you really know God has a plan of salvation for you? Well, you are still here reading for some reason. If you are being drawn to Him, why not respond now to His Spirit calling you?

Does it matter if we witness and spread the Gospel if Election is True?

Absolutely, in part because Jesus commanded us to.

“Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. 16 He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned. Mark 16: 15 NKJV

Then, Paul explains it has always been the case that God uses men. As the Holy Spirits guides him to write, Paul even uses quotes from Old Testament Prophets.

How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher? And how shall they preach unless they are sent?

As it is written:

“How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the gospel of peace,Who bring glad tidings of good things!”

But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Isaiah says, “Lord, who has believed our report?”

So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

But I say, have they not heard? Yes indeed:

“Their sound has gone out to all the earth, And their words to the ends of the world.” Romans 10:14-18 NKJV

God does not need me to spread the gospel or to bring the message of salvation to anyone. It is His grace alone that allows me the privilege to be a part of His most glorious work. In such He shares a piece of His glory with me.

Why Do I say that?

In John 17, as Jesus prayed for each of us, He said:

“I do not pray for these alone, but also for those who will believe in Me through their word; that they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also may be one in Us, that the world may believe that You sent Me. And the glory which You gave Me I have given them, that they may be one just as We are one: I in them, and You in Me; that they may be made perfect in one, and that the world may know that You have sent Me, and have loved them as You have loved Me.

“Father, I desire that they also whom You gave Me may be with Me where I am, that they may behold My glory which You have given Me; for You loved Me before the foundation of the world. O righteous Father! The world has not known You, but I have known You; and these have known that You sent Me. And I have declared to them Your name, and will declare it, that the love with which You loved Me may be in them, and I in them.” John 17: 20-26

Is that even more amazing! Knowing what agony He would face. Recognizing He was going to be receiving all the wrath of God I justly deserved. He prayed for me. He asked to share His glory with me. How else can He share His most Glorious work with me? He does so by allowing me to be a part of His salvation story with others?

He has declared His love for me, forever. That I should experience the depth of love God holds for Him, the only Begotten son of God. It is more than I can fully grasp; but, it is what He is offering you today. Do you feel the spirit drawing you? Then you can know with certainty that God has a plan of salvation for you. Do not delay! Call upon His name today. Truly believing that Christ died for you and rose again to offer eternal life with Him to you. Have you been born again? The first time to physical life. And then born by the Holy Spirit into eternal spiritual life. If not, ask Him today while the spirit is calling you.

DO YOU KNOW CHRIST AS YOUR SAVIOR AND LORD? He is our only Hope in Life and Death! Our Joy is found in Him.

Therefore if you don’t know Jesus Christ as your Savior and Lord: I urge you today. Go to my page titled How to Be Saved by clicking on this link. There is nothing more important than this; because He is the way, the truth and the life. Therefore, I urge you to seek Him today.

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Has God Really Forsaken His First Love, Israel His Chosen Nation?

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Please note: This Post only has quotes from the KJV Bible except where otherwise indicated

BSB (BEREAN STUDY BIBLE)

The Berean Bible and Majority Bible texts are officially dedicated to the public domain as of April 30, 2023.

English Standard Version (ESV)

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