062 – The Grammar of the Plan A Faith that Obeys Podcast

Editor's Note: This is the audio from the second lesson about The Biblical Plan of Salvation . You may view the entire video series by starting HERE.







Ben White via UnSplash.com







Thanks so much for taking the next step. You obviously have a desire to learn more about this important topic. As we begin, I wanted to say that the things we will look at are really challenging. I know because I have felt some pretty strong feelings as I learned the things you're about to learn. Please understand that I am submitting these ideas to you with the utmost love and respect. I hope you will feel like that comes through as I make my case.







In the last video, we talked about a Biblical Plan of Salvation. I said that this plan was hidden in the Bible, and in plain sight. I said, even the most learned scholars miss it and, even explained why they miss it... they do not have the heart of a child.







I'm about to show you that Biblical plan of salvation, but before we begin, let's lock down some of the basic Bible grammar used to define the plan. You probably know most of this but let's take a minute to lock it down carefully. This way, there will be no confusion or disagreement about terms and definitions.







Bible Names for Bible Things







Let's take a look at this phrase, "God's Plan of Salvation."







First, let's be clear. This is God's plan, not man's plan. Man did not create the plan and man can not change the plan. The plan was clearly established in the Bible 2000 years ago and is the same today as it was in the first century. What is a plan? Well, Webster's dictionary defines the word "Plan," as a detailed proposal for doing or achieving something. So our plan will contain some sort of ordered actions aimed at achieving the goal, which God has laid before us, salvation. The Biblical plan of salvation may be depicted like a series of stair steps.







Now, I need to stop right here and make sure we understand something important. These steps I am describing are not actions we take in order to be saved but they are observable, verifiable things that happen with us as we move through the plan. We are not talking about some kind of "works salvation" here. You'll understand this clearly as we move forward. Ok, this brings us to our next term... salvation.















What is "Salvation?"







Salvation is a good religious word.







What is salvation? Turning to Mr. Webster once again, we see that salvation means, deliverance from sin and its consequences.







There is another phrase, common in the religious world, called "Born Again." This phrase is another way to say saved or sins have been forgiven. 







So, born again, equals saved. There is no difference between these two phrases. 







Here's another important point about salvation... there is no gray area. Someone is either lost or saved. We are either in the light or in the darkness. We are never kinda saved or a little saved or sort of born again.







Here is something which is a little humorous. Have you ever heard of someone referring to themselves as a "Born Again Christian?" Did you know there is no such thing as a "Born Again Christian?" Those are redundant terms! That would be like saying, I am a white Caucasian! What other kind of Caucasian is there? Any one who is "Born Again" is a Christian.







What is a "Christian?"







Here's the next term: Christian. A Christian is someone who is in a saved state.