Thru the Bible-11

Thru the Bible-11 2022. 5. 15.

 

Going on to Salvation (2)

 

“Salvation by faith” was the first of Wesley’s standard sermons. So, this is where we begin, the keystone of his understanding of Christian doctrine – “salvation by faith.”

 

Who needs salvation?

We all need it. Paul stated our predicament: “You were dead through the trespasses and sins in which you once walked, following the course of this world, following the ruler of the power of the air, the spirit that is now at work among those who are disobedient.” (Ephesians 2:1-2)

 

In Romans 3, Paul deals specifically with the universality of sin, quoting passages from five psalms and one verse from Isaiah: “There is no one who is righteous, not even one; there is no one who has understanding; there is no one who seeks God. All have turned aside; together they have become worthless; there is no one who shows kindness; there is not even one.” “Their throats are opened graves; they use their tongues to deceive.” “The venom of vipers is under their lips.” “Their mouths are full of cursing and bitterness.” “Their feet are swift to shed blood; ruin and misery are in their paths, and the way of peace they have not known.” “There is no fear of God before their eyes.” (Romans 3:10-18)

 

That’s universial, isn’t it? Paul and John Wesley would express the same universial compass of sin: “Anyone who is human is a sinner.”

 

That’s the predicament of all of us. Paul summed it up: “For there is no distinction, since all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” (Romans 3:22-23)

 

Who needs salvation? We all do!