I am reading, The Gospel In Ten Words, by Paul Ellis (http://escapetoreality.org) right now. I like it very much and highly recommend it. It is an excellent explanation of what the gospel really is and how so many of us have missed it by mixing works with grace and not understanding who we are in Christ.
On p. 63 in the chapter entitled "Union," Mr. Ellis explains how the gift of salvation is actually a blessing of living in union with Jesus, not something we get by saying the 'sinner's prayer.' [Note: If we have given our life to Jesus we are one (united) with Him whether we understand that or not. See John 14 & 15 and read Paul's excellent blog post on what it means to be a branch here.]
He says, "You may know that you are blessed in your new life, but you may not know that 100 percent of your blessings come as the result of being one with Christ. (For in union with Christ you have become rich in all things. 1 Cor. 1:5 GNB) Let us consider some of these blessings, starting with salvation. What exactly is the basis for your salvation? It is your union with Christ. You are not saved because you said the magic words of a sinner's prayer. You are saved because you are one with the Lord and his saving life is your life. Paul said he endured all things so others may "obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus" (2 Tim. 2:10).
We mislead people when we sell salvation as a ticket to heaven. It's not that it's wrong, it's just woefully incomplete. Salvation is not about being put into a lifeboat but being put into Jesus (Eph. 1:13). Besides, those in lifeboats aren't really saved. They still need to be rescued. This is why Christians with a lifeboat mentality are anxious and fearful, bobbing around in the ocean of their insecurity, they have no assurance that they are actually saved. Perversely, they fear Judgment Day more than the average sinner. Not us. We are as secure as the Savior himself. We fear no condemnation because there is no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus (Rom 8:1)..."
On p. 63 in the chapter entitled "Union," Mr. Ellis explains how the gift of salvation is actually a blessing of living in union with Jesus, not something we get by saying the 'sinner's prayer.' [Note: If we have given our life to Jesus we are one (united) with Him whether we understand that or not. See John 14 & 15 and read Paul's excellent blog post on what it means to be a branch here.]
He says, "You may know that you are blessed in your new life, but you may not know that 100 percent of your blessings come as the result of being one with Christ. (For in union with Christ you have become rich in all things. 1 Cor. 1:5 GNB) Let us consider some of these blessings, starting with salvation. What exactly is the basis for your salvation? It is your union with Christ. You are not saved because you said the magic words of a sinner's prayer. You are saved because you are one with the Lord and his saving life is your life. Paul said he endured all things so others may "obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus" (2 Tim. 2:10).
We mislead people when we sell salvation as a ticket to heaven. It's not that it's wrong, it's just woefully incomplete. Salvation is not about being put into a lifeboat but being put into Jesus (Eph. 1:13). Besides, those in lifeboats aren't really saved. They still need to be rescued. This is why Christians with a lifeboat mentality are anxious and fearful, bobbing around in the ocean of their insecurity, they have no assurance that they are actually saved. Perversely, they fear Judgment Day more than the average sinner. Not us. We are as secure as the Savior himself. We fear no condemnation because there is no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus (Rom 8:1)..."
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