The Basis of Salvation: The Nature of our Relationship with God I. Introduction A. 1 John 1:1-3 1. demonstration of the need to have a relationship with God 2. when our association is with God, we can have more confidence in our salvation B. What is the nature of this relationship? 1. How does the relationship between us and God work? 2. Many different ideas about this relationship have been thought up a. some believe that the relationship requires continual obedience to the standard b. some believe that once you initially establish a relationship, you are saved regardless of action c. some believe that God predetermines with whom He shall have such a relationship, and others with whom He shall not C. Let us examine the Scriptures in regards to God's relationship with mankind and see what we can learn about that nature our relationship with God II. Israelite Perception of their Relationship with God A. To begin, let us look at how the Israelites percieved the nature of their relationship with God B. The history of Israel demonstrates its chosen status 1. Genesis 12, Abraham: of all the descendants of Shem, God chose Abraham for His purpose 2. Genesis 25:23: despite being the younger brother, Jacob was chosen by God 3. Exodus 19:1-8: God has delivered Israel out of Egyptian bondage and makes His covenant with them 4. Israel is constantly referred to throughout the Old Testament as God's chosen, elect people C. Israel focused on its elect status and did not do as well in being obedient to God 1. Isaiah 1:10-20 a. the sacrifices and festival days that God Himself established for the Israelites He now loathes b. Why? The people are not living up to the standard! c. They think that they maintain their covenant (relationship) with God by mere sacrifices and observance of festival days d. God, however, demands obedience! 2. Jeremiah 7:3-7 a. About 125 years after Isaiah, the people trust vainly in the presence of the temple of YHWH b. After all, in the days of Isaiah God spared His holy city and temple; why would He not do it again? c. If He were the true God, He certainly would not deliver His own house to the Babylonians! d. Yet, on account of the sins of the people, His relationship with them is broken, they are sent into captivity, and the temple is destroyed D. In the heyday of Israelite history, the Israelites focused only on the fact that YHWH was their God and He had a relationship with them, and did not give consideration to the obedience demanded to keep that relationship going E. On account of this, God exiled most of His people so that they could see the error of their ways; on account of this, many did III. Jewish Perception of their Relationship with God A. Let us now look at the perception of the descendants of those Israelites-- the Jews, particularly of the time of Christ-- and see how they percieved their relationship with God B. "We are children of Abraham!" 1. Luke 3:8, John 8:31-41 2. The Jews took great pride in being the legitimate heirs of Abraham, and therefore heirs of the promises granted to him 3. In a mostly Gentile world, and under the political domination of Gentiles, Jews clung to that special elect relationship to justify themselves and their traditions 4. Yet, in their insistence on having been born right, they missed their Messiah! C. Romans 2:17-29 1. Paul here, in demonstrating that all people have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23), demonstrates the sinfulness of the Jews 2. They boasted in the Law and in having been given the Law 3. Yet they themselves had transgressed the Law, and in so doing dishonored God 4. The message of all of Romans 2-11 is that because of God's plan, the elect status of Israel was now made dependent on obedience to Christ Jesus, and would in fact open up to anyone who obeyed Him 5. It is the one who obeys God who is inwardly circumcised and properly a part of "Israel", God's chosen people D. We can see from this, therefore, that while they themselves did not participate in idolatry, the Jews of the time of Christ took such pride in their elect status and what God had given them that they missed their Messiah and would lose their election without repentance IV. Common Perceptions about Relationships with God Today A. Now, as we come to Christianity, there are differing ways in how people percieve their relationship with God B. Calvinism: God foreknew and foreordained all things, therefore, God predetermined with whom He would have a relationship, and those with whom He would not, and those whom He would He made righteous and holy 1. Now, we do not have the time to go through a long demonstration of the error of Calvinism, but we can see how this does not really make sense in the New Testament 2. Consider how much of the New Testament is spent in exhortation to moral living 3. Consider how the book of Acts speaks of the conversion of peoples 4. Consider the need for the book itself 5. If this doctrine were true, and God did all the work, why would He need to make a book and describe all these things if He was going to do it all Himself? 6. Why exhort people to make their calling and election sure (2 Peter 1:10) if God is the only one doing such things? 7. Why say that we receive purification through obedience (1 Peter 1:22) if God is the only actor? 8. Why establish a system of conduct and exhort people to do it (cf. Galatians 5:19-26, Hebrews 12:1-3, 1 Corinthians 9:24-27, etc.), if He is going to do it within us? 9. Simply put, why have a book at all when He can make it manifest in us that He is present and He is saving us by His work alone? 10. It should be manifest, then, that our relationship with God does not work this way C. "Once saved, always saved": as long as you called upon Christ as your Savior, you will be saved 1. This is a very popular belief, and one that is very comforting, yet again, it does not make much sense with the Scriptures 2. Hebrews 10:26-31: does this really sound like we will be saved no matter what? 3. 2 Peter 2:20-22: does this not describe fallen away Christians? 4. We have to again conclude that our relationship with God does not work this way IV. How our Relationship with God Works A. When we read both the Old and New Testaments, we can see clearly the nature of the relationship between God and man 1. While God certainly wants to have a relationship with man, and has done marvelous and extraordinary things on mankind's behalf... 2. ...the relationship is not nor ever has been a one-way street: God gives the benefits of being in a relationship with you, and you obey Him! B. In the Old Testament, time and time again, God's relationship with man was manifestly predicated on their obedience to Him 1. In Exodus 19, the Israelites agreed to obey God's voice and keep His covenant 2. In Isaiah 1, God says that by obedience will they prosper 3. Jeremiah warns the people and tells them to repent 4. Both Jesus and Paul emphasize the need to not only obey but to also hear God through the Son C. The New Testament also speaks constantly of obedience 1. Romans 1:5 2. 2 Thessalonians 1:6-9 3. 1 Peter 1:2 4. 1 Peter 1:22 5. etc. etc. 6. These cannot be ignored! D. Let us return to 1 John, where we began 1. vv. 1-3 establish the credentials of John and the need for association with God 2. and what does vv. 4-10 say? 3. God is light, we need to walk in the light, all of us have at some time walked in darkness, all of us still sin, we need to confess to God to be continually cleansed E. It ought to be manifestly apparent, then, that in order to have a continuing relationship with God, we must be found obedient to Him! V. Conclusion A. We have seen that man certainly needs to have a relationship with God... B. ...and that even though men from the time of Israel until now may trust in their birth, a foreordination, a one-time event, or any other such form of "entitlement" as assuring them of their relationship with God, the Scriptures are clear: C. We can only have a relationship with Him as long as we continually strive to obey Him! D. Songbook/Invitation E. If you have not yet obeyed God, it should be clear to you this evening that you do not have a right relationship with God, and that should give you great cause for concern 1. All is not lost, however; you, today, have the opportunity to come to obedient faith in Christ, believing in Him, confessing Him, repenting of sin, and being immersed in water for the remission of sin 2. Please do this today F. Perhaps you once had a relationship with God, but recognize that your relationship with Him has been compromised by your sin. Or perhaps you simply require encouragement to keep up the good fight in your own life G. However we can, let us help you; come to the front as we stand and sing