I am amazed that you are so quickly deserting Him who called you by the grace of Christ, for a different gospel; which is really not another; only there are some who are disturbing you, and want to distort the gospel of Christ. But even though we, or an angel from heaven, should preach to you a gospel contrary to that which we have preached to you, let him be accursed. As we have said before, so I say again now, if any man is preaching to you a gospel contrary to that which you received, let him be accursed. (Galatians 1:6-9 NAS)
Paul talks about being 'called' in the same sentence as talking about the gospel. They are inseparable. What does called mean to Paul?
For whom He foreknew, He also predestined to become conformed to the image of His Son, that He might be the first-born among many brethren; and whom He predestined, these He also called; and whom He called, these He also justified; and whom He justified, these He also glorified. (Romans 8:29-30 NAS)
Only those that God calls are justified in his eyes. Salvation is a sovereign work of grace alone. The only way anyone makes a true choice to believe and be saved is if God raises them from spiritual death to life. Resting in a decision for Christ is resting in works. A view of salvation that leaves the end result in the hands of people alone is no different than the Pharisee in Luke 18. Maybe the prayer of the modern Pharisee now looks more like this:
"Lord I thank you that I walked the aisle and made my decision for Christ. I thank you that I wrote the date of my decision in my Bible so that I can be assured that I am saved"
That kind of decision based salvation is no better than basing salvation on infant baptism. It's a false gospel. It is NOT the gospel of the Bible. When the tax collector leaves all his works and cries out to God for mercy, he is seeking God in the only way God can be sought - by faith. His faith is a gift from God, not by his own doing. (Eph 2:8) God is the one who saves by his own sovereign will and there is nothing we can do to affect that in any real sense. If you want God, it's because God is working in you. If you see your sin for what it is, and realize that there is nothing in yourself that can save you, it's because God is working in you. If there is any true desire in you to know the only God who is over all creation it's not coming from you but from God alone. None are righteous, none seeks God unless God himself condescends to change the very will of the sinners he wishes to save so that he might manifest his glory in them. If you got to the gates of heaven and God asked you why you think you're saved what would your answer be? "Because I was a pretty good person" will not cut it. "Because I prayed a prayer" will not suffice.
Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity. (Matthew 7:22-23 KJV)
Many people that cast out demons and do miracles while claiming the name of Jesus Christ will not enter heaven. Only those that God has saved by his own decree and the sacrifice of Christ will enter the kingdom of heaven.
Does God know you? Or do you just think you know God?
