LAWTON CHURCH OF GOD, LAWTON, OKLAHOMA

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51 FULL SALVATION

TEXT: But of Him are we in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness ,and sanctification, and redemption. 1 Corinthians 1:30 .

Full salvation comprehends the full provisions of the Gospel for soul, body and spirit. Through sin, the entire man has been wrecked, and Christ has come to fully restore to us all that we have lost by reason of sin. “Where sin abounded, grace did much more abound.” To be full partakers of the benefits of the atonement of Christ, we must first be “in Christ.” As the branch in united to the vine, so intimately must we be united to Jesus Christ. This means more than faith in a historic Christ. Or mere intellectual assent to truth; it means a personal contact and vital union, so as to partake of his life and nature. “If any man be in Christ, he is a new creature; old things are passed away; behold all things are become new.” When this radical change takes place the individual will know about it. “Whosoever abideth in Him, sinneth not.” If a man is not saved from sinning, he is not saved at all. “If a man abideth not in Me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered and men gather them and cast them into the fire and they are burned.” From these and similar passages, we see the importance of being “in Christ.” When “in Christ” we will find that “His divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness.”

I. WISDOM

One of the saddest features of sin is that it darkens the mind and shuts out the knowledge of God. The god of this world hath blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light of the glorious Gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine unto them.” The man in sin is blinded to his own best good and highest interest; neither does he realize his great peril. “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.” “Christ, in whom are hid all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.” Colossians 2:2, 3 . “If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, who giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.”

II. RIGHTEOUSNESS

Adam Clarke says of the word righteousness that it “means God’s method of saving sinners.” Through the transforming power of the Gospel, an unrighteous man is changed into a righteous man. “Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness.” “As by one man’s disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous.” “To him that worketh not, but believeth on Him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.”

III. SANCTIFICATION

“This is the will of God, even your sanctification.” Sanctification is “the act of divine grace whereby we are made holy.” While justification deals with sins committed, sanctification eradicates inbred sin. Sanctification is an experience for believers only, and is conditioned upon entire consecration and faith, subsequent to pardon. Justification delivers from guilt and condemnation; sanctification delivers from unholy tempers and sinful appetites. “Christ also loved the Church and gave Himself for it, that He might sanctify and cleanse, it.” God, the Father, wills our sanctification. Christ, the Son, provided it, and the Holy Ghost accomplishes it.

IV. REDEMPTION

Full redemption includes the body, and will be realized when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality. Blessed hope and promise of immortality. But, even now, “If the spirit of him that raised up Jesus from the dead dwell in you, He that raised up Christ from the dead shall also quicken your mortal bodies by His Spirit that dwelleth in you.” So far as our spiritual nature is concerned, there is complete redemption now.