© 21 Colin Melbourne
When is a Believer Actually Saved?
Q: You talk about being saved as though it’s possible now for everyone, but to me “being saved” just refers to going to Heaven when you die, as long as a person has believed in Jesus they will be accepted into Heaven. The believer is saved from this world and lives forever in Heaven with God. What do you think of this?
Tares Among Wheat
A: Thank you for your question. I encourage you to put your view of salvation on hold, and simply ask the LORD Jesus Christ to reveal to you, through prayerfully reading John’s Gospel (preferably using the KJV) what He meant by the expressions; the kingdom of God and of Heaven.
Our philosophies concerning God’s word inevitably fall short of the reality of meeting Jesus personally.
Revelation Trumps Debate
The instant you know Him, and He knows you, you will have the witness of Absolute Truth in the core of your being: It is the Gift of God to every sinner who repents and believes on Christ as LORD and Saviour: The inner witness of Christ in you.
From that moment you’ll never try to replace His words with your own imaginings.
Perfection cannot be improved: There’s no need.
God’s Word and Spirit are Sufficient
Once you have this revelation you’ll see that what you have proposed actually contradicts God’s written word.
When Eternal Life Begins in a Believer
Speaking of The LORD Jesus Christ, the Holy Spirit writes in, Hebrews 5:9 KJV;
And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him;
He and him speak of Christ the author of eternal salvation; so if a believer has to wait until they die to be saved, it would not be eternal because it doesn’t include their life on Earth.
Ah, you respond, it is eternal, but probationary and provisional in this life.
That also contradicts God’s written word, 2 Co. 6:1-2 KJV;
We then, as workers together with him, beseech you also that ye receive not the grace of God in vain. (For he saith, I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succoured thee: behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.)
When does now start?
Now, certainly included the New Covenant time that word was inspired, just as it was propehsied seven centuries earlier by Isaiah under the Old Covenant, Isaiah 49:8 KJV;
Thus saith the LORD, In an acceptable time have I heard thee, and in a day of salvation have I helped thee: and I will preserve thee, and give thee for a covenant of the people, to establish the earth, to cause to inherit the desolate heritages;
So Paul knew by the Holy Ghost that he did not have to wait until he died to enjoy the benefits of salvation, because …behold, now is the accepted time; behold, now is the day of salvation.
Paul’s gospel was of salvation now and evermore, not merely after death, 1 Co. 15:1-2 KJV;
Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain.
Present Tense Salvation
Notice the tense, By which also ye are saved, present continuous tense, not future tense By which also ye will be saved.
God’s word is definite, not wishy-washy.
Similarly, 2 Co. 2:15 KJV;
For we are unto God a sweet savour of Christ, in them that are saved, and in them that perish:
That are saved, not that will be, or may be saved.
Now is the day of salvation
Now that you have realised this, re-read the Gospels with correct understanding, seek the LORD for what He meant by the kingdom of Heaven, and He will show you what abundant life and present day blessings He’s offering you today in salvation.
Then you will see that nobody has to wait until they die to experience; peace with God, righteousness, miraculous perfect health, divine fellowship, provision, protection, and eternal life. Mtt. 3:2 KJV;
And saying, Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.
The kingdom was at hand when He gave that word, meaning; coming soon, but not yet available.
The spiritual kingdom of God on Earth began when Christ entered the Holy of Holies, offered His Blood on the Mercy Seat, and poured out the Holy Ghost on the Day of Pentecost.
Come into the kingdom, and begin enjoying the blessings of Almighty God today.
© 21 Colin Melbourne
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