“LOOKING UNTO JESUS”

Hebrews 12:2

 

            Salvation is not found in working for Jesus, or in longing for Jesus, or even in praying to Jesus. Salvation is obtained by “looking unto Jesus.” You will never be saved by looking to yourself, or looking to the church, or looking to a preacher or soul-winner. You will never be saved by walking a church aisle, saying a little prayer, or by being baptized. Salvation is obtained by faith alone, by believing on the Lord Jesus Christ, by looking unto Jesus.

 

            We rejoice and give thanks for God the Father, in his sovereign mercy, glorious predestination, and electing love. But salvation is not obtained by looking to the Father’s election, predestination, and sovereignty. We are most grateful for the Holy Spirit’s effectual call, irresistible grace, and unbreakable seal. But salvation is not obtained by looking to the Spirit. Salvation is not even obtained by looking to God the Son in his absolute divinity. Salvation is obtained by “looking unto Jesus,” by looking to God the Son incarnate, our divine Surety, the only Mediator between God and men, the sinners’ Substitute.

 

            Blessed name this is for our Savior - “JESUS!” It is to him that we must look. Looking to him, only to him, we are saved. His name is JESUS because he is Jehovah who saves. He came into the world, God in human flesh, on an errand of mercy, to save his people from their sins (Matt. 1:21).

 

The JESUS to whom we must look for salvation is that Jesus who is himself God over all, blessed forever (Rom. 9:5).

 

The JESUS to whom we must look for salvation is that one who had a people to save before he ever came into the world to save them. That JESUS who is the Christ, the Savior of sinners, is the eternal Surety of his covenant people. He was, from everlasting, trusted by God the Father (Eph. 1:12; 2 Tim. 1:9; Job 33:24; Rev. 13:8), as the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world, to save his chosen people from their sins. The Father gave his people into the hands of his Son as our Good Shepherd and covenant Mediator (John 6:39). Because he pledged himself to do it, he therefore must save his people from their sins (John 10:16).

 

That JESUS to whom we look for salvation did not come into this world to save everybody. But he did come to save somebody. And those whom he came to save he shall save by three, almighty, irresistible, infallible works of grace. He has saved all his elect by redemption. The Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of God, has effectually redeemed and obtained eternal salvation for every sinner for whom his precious blood was shed at Calvary (Gal. 3:13; Heb. 9:12). He is saving his people, one by one, by regeneration (John 5:21, 25). At the appointed time of love and grace, he sends forth his Spirit to chosen, redeemed sinners, raising them from death to life by the omnipotent power of his grace. And he shall save his people from their sins by resurrection glory (John 5:28-29; Rev. 20:6). In resurrection glory, every chosen, redeemed, called sinner shall be brought into the full, perfect blessedness of salvation in Christ and with Christ for the glory of Christ forever!

 

Grace Baptist Church of Danville - Grace For Today Radio Message #585

2734 Old Stanford Road - Danville, Kentucky 40422-9438-Donald S. Fortner, Pastor-elephone 606-236-8235-Email grace@mis.net