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Salvation: The Path to God's Kingdom (Part One)

CGG Weekly by John Reiss

We are deeply honored to be included in God's plan of salvation, chosen from among billions to have our minds opened to His truth and the path to salvation. It is both humbling and exhilarating to consider the majesty of God's plan to save mankind from sin. Salvation encompasses past, present, and future dimensions, each with its own rewards. Initially, when we come under the blood of Christ's sacrifice, we are blessed with freedom from the penalty of our past sins. As we live according to God's way, we are freed from the fear of eternal punishment for our current missteps. Living God's way involves a personal relationship with both the Father and the Son, a priceless opportunity for those whom God has called. Ultimately, salvation promises that, after being changed and granted immortality in the resurrection, we will live forever with God in perfect peace, harmony, and health, without sin and its consequences. Salvation is the goal of God's Word, the outcome He intends for each of us. This process began when we accepted the blood of Christ as payment for our sins and were baptized, marking the first step of being saved from the death penalty. This initial step is also known as justification, where God declares us righteous based on Christ's sacrifice. The second step is ongoing, as we are currently being saved, becoming set apart through sanctification by learning to live as God lives and obeying His laws. This work does not save us; we are saved by God's grace, but it changes us to reflect Jesus Christ.

Salvation: The Path to God's Kingdom (Part Two)

CGG Weekly by John Reiss

Salvation is a transformative process that begins when a person accepts the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, is baptized, and has their sins forgiven, marking them as saved. Through Christ's sacrifice, they are justified and aligned with the righteous standard of our Savior. This initiates the phase of sanctification, a period of consecration and growth, during which God transforms the individual from a new convert into the very image and stature of Jesus Christ. Throughout sanctification, they are being saved from their human nature, the allurements and distractions of this world, and the wiles and temptations of satan. The journey culminates in glorification, when the individual is saved permanently. At the resurrection of the just, God will change them from physical to spiritual, making them a full-fledged member of the God Family. From that moment, they will live as God and Christ live, working and ruling in righteousness forever. This magnificent plan of salvation is God's precious gift.

Basic Doctrines: Salvation

Bible Study by Earl L. Henn

Salvation is the process whereby sinners are rescued from the consequences of sin, which is defined as the attitude and practice of breaking God's laws, summarized in the Ten Commandments. Every human being, except Jesus Christ, has broken these laws and thus needs to be saved from sin's penalty, which is death, the complete annihilation of one's life. God offers eternal life as a gift to those willing to meet His conditions, delivering them from the consequences of sin. The first step to obtain salvation is repentance, which involves not only being sorry for committing sin but also turning from a life of transgression to one of obedience to God's commandments. However, merely keeping the law does not justify anyone; justification, meaning having one's sins forgiven and coming into a right relationship with God, is achieved through faith in the suffering and death of Jesus Christ. His death paid the penalty for the sins of the whole world, and through faith in Him, we receive forgiveness and are brought into a right relationship with God. Being justified does not mean one is saved or has eternal life; it signifies that the guilty past has been wiped clean because Christ paid the penalty for our sins. Salvation is received through a living Jesus Christ, who, after being raised from the dead by God the Father, sits at God's right hand to make intercession for us, helping us overcome sin and live righteously. To receive salvation, a Christian must live a life of obedience to God's law, as continuing in disobedience while claiming to know Christ is falsehood. God imparts His love through the Holy Spirit, giving the power to obey His laws in their full spiritual intent, transforming the repentant sinner's outlook and purpose as they are led by the Spirit. Only after this process of living a life of overcoming will God grant the gift of eternal life through the Holy Spirit dwelling in us, by a resurrection, just as with Christ. Then, and only then, will we have salvation.

What Kind of Faith is Required for Salvation?

Herbert W. Armstrong Booklet

Millions who say they believe in Jesus Christ have no salvation at all because they trust in the wrong kind of faith. Saving faith is largely misunderstood.

Is it Salvational?

Sermonette by David C. Grabbe

It is easy to denigrate a matter as not being 'salvational,' but the real question to ask is, How will this action affect my relationship with God?

Is It Salvational? (Part One)

CGG Weekly by David C. Grabbe

Whether a matter is salvational is the wrong question. There is a better question and another approach to evaluating matters that will put us on better footing.

What Do You Mean . . . Salvation?

Herbert W. Armstrong Booklet

Not one in a hundred knows what salvation is—how to get it or when you will receive it. Don't be too sure you do! Here is the truth, made plain.

The Awesome Cost of Salvation

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

We need to be sobered at the awesomeness of the cost to set us free from sin—what the Creator endured. We have been purchased, and are obliged to our Purchaser.

Hebrews (Part Six): God's Salvation Communication

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)

God personally communicated with Adam, Eve, Abraham, Moses, the prophets, and to us through His Son. With the Scriptures, God teaches His faithful today.

Camouflage and Salvation

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

Satan has provided what appear to be plausible alternatives to Christ's sacrifice for salvation, like service, positive changes, and right thinking.

Two Arks of Salvation

Sermon by Ted E. Bowling

In both the basket carrying Moses and the ark carrying Noah's family for over a year, God was in control, and guided both arks to safety.

God of Our Salvation

Feast of Tabernacles Sermon by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

The Great White Throne Judgment is a general resurrection to mortal life, allowing the majority of those who have ever lived an opportunity for salvation.

Saved By Faith Alone?

'Ready Answer' by Earl L. Henn

Protestantism is based on Luther's insistence that Christians are saved by faith alone. But is the really true? It is true of justification, not salvation.

Faith Without Works

'Ready Answer' by Staff

Three times, James states, 'Faith without works is dead!' Here's how James' teaching agrees with and complements the teaching of Paul on justification.

The Covenants, Grace, and Law (Part Eight)

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

Justification is not the end of the salvation process, but merely the opening to sanctification, where we bear fruit and give evidence of God's Spirit in us.

Our Ultimate Purpose

Sermonette by Austin Del Castillo

When we follow the commandments, it should be to primarily strengthen the relationship out of love, not to merely gain an advantageous position or be saved.

The Christian Paradox (Part Two)

Sermon by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

We have two conflicting natures: a downward-pulling carnal nature versus a divine nature imparted by God's Holy Spirit, continually at odds, seen in Romans 7.

Where Is God's True Church Today?

'Personal' from John W. Ritenbaugh

Where can we find the true religion, the true church, in all this confusion? Only the church Christ founded and heads today has the answers to eternal life.

The Covenants, Grace, and Law (Part Twenty-Nine)

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

A summary of the Covenants, Grace, and Law series, reiterating the differences in the Covenants and the respective places of grace and law in God's purpose.

The Covenants, Grace, and Law (Part Four)

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

Justification does not 'do away' with the law; it brings us into alignment with it, imputing the righteousness of Christ and giving access to God for sanctification.

The Covenants, Grace, and Law (Part Twenty-Eight)

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

The yoke of bondage Paul refers to in Galatians was a combination of the code of regulations added by the Pharisees and Gnostic ritualism, not God's Law.

Amazing Grace

'Personal' from John W. Ritenbaugh

The old song speaks of "Amazing Grace" but do we really understand just how amazing it is? The Bible reveals some details on this vital topic.

Eternal Security (Part 1)

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

Some of the harshest criticism we receive is for our position opposing the doctrine of eternal security and stating that works are required for salvation.

Is the Christian Required To Do Works? (Part Five)

'Personal' from John W. Ritenbaugh

Jesus came with a message of salvation, called 'the gospel of the Kingdom of God.' Here is the relationship between the gospel and Christian works.

God's Workmanship (Part 1)

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

God's creation did not end with the physical creation or our election, but God continues to work, giving us the motivation and the power to do His will.

The Final Harvest

'Personal' from John W. Ritenbaugh

Are millions lost because they never heard the name of Christ? What about infants who died? Are the doors forever shut on those born into false religion?

Five Teachings of Grace

'Personal' from John W. Ritenbaugh

Protestantism unthinkingly presents grace as "free." However, Scripture shows that God expects a great deal of effort from us once we receive it—it is costly.

A Royal Priesthood

Sermonette by Austin Del Castillo

We have a much bigger reason for developing godly character than merely make it into the Kingdom. We are rehearsing our roles as a royal priesthood.

The Christian Fight (Part Five)

'Personal' from John W. Ritenbaugh

The faithful life and work of Noah illustrates that after justification, walking by faith with God is a practical responsibility.

God's Workmanship (Part 2)

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh

Works are not the cause of salvation, but instead are the effect of God's creative efforts at bringing us into His image—a new creation.

Philippians (Part Two)

Sermon/Bible Study by John W. Ritenbaugh

Paul both appealed for unity among the Philippians and offered encouragement, reminding them that their relationship with one another was through Christ.

Ecclesiastes Resumed (Part Twenty-Three)

Sermon by John W. Ritenbaugh (1932-2023)

Psalm 73 describes someone seeing the wicked prosper while the righteous suffer, but it is not true that people in the world are leading superior lives.

Be There Next Year

'Personal' from John W. Ritenbaugh

Members of God's church usually come home from the Feast of Tabernacles with renewed strength. Yet, some fall away each year. Here's how to stay the course.