PRESENT SALVATION by William Covert

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Oakland, California · Feb 6, 1893

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 19, No. 14.

PRESENT SALVATION.

By William Covert

BY ELDER WILLIAM COVERT.

SALVATION is presented from two standpoints in the Scriptures. There is salvation from sin which is present, and there is salvation from the grave through the resurrection, which is future. In this article we design to speak of salvation from the bondage of sin. Of this it is written:—

"According to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour." Titus 3:5, 6.

This scripture declares that the Christian is saved and tells how it was done. Again the same writer, when referring to the attitude of himself and brethren toward the Lord as they drew near by faith, said they were "giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light; who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son; in whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins." Col. 1:12-14. The apostle is not in this place speaking of the physical preparation for eternal blessedness, but of deliverance from the power of Satan over the mind and will, whereby he is enabled to render cheerful, loving service to the Father. He is now delivered from the power of darkness and is in the kingdom of Christ. In this condition his sins are all forgiven and his allegiance to the laws of heaven unquestioned. This constitutes him a member of the heavenly family.

This salvation is enjoyed by the justified believer. Such an one can exclaim, "O how love I thy law! it is my meditation all the day." Ps. 119:97. He is a laborer together with God. 1 Cor. 3:9. He is "accepted in the Beloved." Eph. 1:6. He is sealed with the Holy Spirit, and waiting till the redemption of the purchased possession." Verses 13, 14.

Concerning the relation of the Christian to God and his government it is recorded that they "are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone; in whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord; in whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit." Eph. 2:20-22. In the heart of each one in this building God abides by his Spirit, and also in the aggregate he dwells, that the whole may be united in one.

The presence of God's power, dwelling in those who have been saved and washed from their sins, gives them the victory over the enemy, which victory is held by faith. 1 John 5:4. Instead of being overcome by Satan, the promise is that they shall cast out devils. Mark 16:17; Luke 10:17. Instead of being under the power of the enemy, they are to have power over the enemy. Luke 10:19. The promise of God is that he will "turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God." Acts 26:18. It is God himself who is the strength of his people. David sang: "God is my strength and power; and he maketh my way perfect. He maketh my feet like hinds' feet; and setteth me upon my high places." 2 Sam. 22:33, 34. God's children are complete in Christ. His righteousness is theirs, being imputed to them and inwrought by faith in them. This makes their way perfect and keeps them, like the hind, from slipping as they climb upon the rocky heights.

In conversion the whole course of life is to be reversed, so that there will be left no confidence in the flesh to cause the mind to turn away from Christ. Self and the flesh are to die with Christ and with him be buried to remain in the grave, while from the seeds of God's word, made life in the soul, is to grow up a new being, created in the image of the Lifegiver. Says the apostle:—

"That ye put off concerning the former conversation [manner of life] the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts; and be renewed in the spirit of your mind; and that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness." Eph. 4:22-24.

Christ having thus been put on, the believer is exhorted in the following language: "As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him; rooted and built up in him." Col. 2:6, 7. This heavenly plant is rooted in and grows from the soil of Christ. It must therefore partake of the divine nature. The seed and the life are of Christ, and the roots grow in him and from him and of him. The being is therefore essentially a new creature. 2 Cor. 5:17.

This is salvation from self. This salvation must be a fact in the present, in order that the physical man be saved at the second coming of Christ. If there is no salvation from sin in the present life, there can be no salvation from death in the future. Everything depends upon the present standing. It is this which is given most thought in the Scriptures, because to us the glorious hope of eternal blessedness hangs upon it. The Christian is told to not let sin reign in his mortal body, and that sin shall not have dominion over him. Rom. 6:12, 14. The apostle says that Christians are "quickened" into a new life, and that they are "saved by grace," and "created in Christ Jesus." Eph. 2:5, 8, 10. Now they are fellow citizens and of the household of God. Verse 19. Another says they have passed from death unto life. 1 John 3:14. It is even now that the Christian is joint heir with Christ. It is here that he may resist the devil, steadfast in the faith of Jesus Christ, and the promise is that Satan will flee from him. It is only when the mind is withdrawn from the Saviour that the adversary will have power over him. Jesus puts Satan himself to flight when our battles are fought in him. Out of him all is defeat. In him we are more than conquerors.

"For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord." Rom. 8:38, 39.