Does Jesus Need My Permission To Save Me?

    

                                          INTRODUCTION


     Have you ever thought about the answer to that question?  Are we in charge of our salvation, or is God?  Or is it a combination of the two?

     Can we as pitiful, weak, sinful human beings thwart God's plan to save us, even if He decreed our salvation before the world was created?

     Who is the "ultimate decider" of our final destiny?  Is it our "choice," or is it God's?

     Is God sovereign (in control) over EVERYTHING, including salvation, or is that the one thing God leaves in our own hands?


     Just this morning, I heard a conversation on the radio.  They were talking about Tim Tebow, quarterback for the Denver Broncos, who is an outspoken Christian, and a target of some for being so open with his faith.

     The caller said that maybe God was the reason for Tebow's success this year, although he then added, "not that I think God decides the outcomes of football games."

     I thought to myself, "why not?"  If God is sovereign, then He is in control of everything, right?  Is God just a passive observer, who sits back and watches over things in the universe, and steps in only when He feels He is really needed?


     Or is He actively involved in every little detail of people's lives?  If God is not in control of a football game, then He's not really sovereign, is He?   What else is He not in control of?


     It's been said that, "There's not a leaf that falls, that God does not have His hand in it."

     The writer of Proverbs 16:9 tells us, "The heart of man plans his way, but the LORD establishes his steps."  John MacArthur explains, "Sovereign God overrules the plans of man to fulfill His purposes."


     I've asked a lot of questions, and now I hope to answer to them in this series.
     Here's part one.

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                            The Savior is waiting to enter your heart.

                            Why don't you let him come in?

                            There's nothing in this world to keep you apart,

                            What is your answer to him?


                            Time after time he has waited before.

                            And now he is waiting again,

                            To see if you're willing to open the door,

                            Oh, how he wants to come in.

                                               - The Savior Is Waiting



     This is the first verse of a popular hymn, written I'm sure with wonderful sentiment, but is the theology behind it biblical?  Is God waiting for us to let Him come into our hearts, or will His people be saved as God decrees it?

     This song is about salvation, but from what do we need to be saved?  The answer:  God's wrath!

     Romans 2:5 - "But because of your hard and impenitent heart you are storing up wrath for yourself on the day of wrath when God's righteous judgment will be revealed."

     Because God is holy, righteous, perfect, and just, we (sinners) must pay for the sins we commit against Him.  The major theme throughout the Bible (Old and New Testaments) is that sinners need to repent of their sins and trust in God.

     Jesus said, "I tell you;  unless you repent, you will all likewise perish" (Luke 13:3).
     "Believe on the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household" (Acts 16:31).


     We need repentance and faith to be saved, but from where do these things come?  They are gifts from God!
     Ephesians 2:8-9 - "For it is by grace you have been saved, through FAITH - and this not from yourselves, it is the GIFT OF GOD - not by works, so that no one can boast."


     Faith, along with grace and salvation, is a gift from God.

     Repentance is also a gift from God.
     "God exalted Him to His own right hand as Prince and Savior that He might GIVE REPENTANCE and forgiveness of sins to Israel" (Acts 5:31).

     Another verse that shows God grants repentance as a gift is Acts 3:26 ("When God raised up His Servant, He sent Him first to you to bless you by turning each of you from your wicked ways").


     Therefore, faith and repentance do not come from within us, but are given to us by God.
     We deserve no credit for either.

     God provides faith, grace, repentance, and salvation.


     I know I haven't answered the question, "Does God need my permission to save me?" but I will, later in this series.

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     God did something wonderful "before the creation of the world."

     Do you know what He did?

     I'll tell you about it in part two.