“To make all see what is the fellowship of the mystery.” (Eph. 3:3-6, 9.)

To show men the conditions upon which they might become sharers with Jesus, joined to the body of Christ, the true Church, to see the method of administration or operation of the mystery by which they might become sharers with Jesus in the execution of God’s plans.

This is where many stumble, lacking a proper understanding of the “The Two Salvations”, and the distinction between the two they erroneously assume that all believers upon profession of faith in Jesus are automatically joined to the body of Christ, the true Church and are insured of a heavenly inheritance. This error unfortunately has been fostered by the blind guides of Christendom who themselves stumble about and know nothing of the proper way of entry into the true Church, the body of Christ, but alas the poor blind (those unlearned in the true way) still continue to follow these blind leaders as they have all throughout this age, placing far too much confidence in them to lead and guide them.

You need merely ask, and they will tell how great their minister or pastor is, ‘Oh, He would never mislead us, he is a good and honorable man well versed in the scriptures’. This however in no way assures you that he knows the true way that he was taught the right way. He may very well be a good and honorable man who in all good conscious teaches what he believes to be true, what he was taught in seminary, but that in no way insures that it is correct. Each of the various sects appears to have its own interpretation as to how exactly one may be joined to the body of Christ.

Nevertheless there is but the ONE WAY, *“The Only Way”, in which one can truly be joined to the body of Christ, the true Church and that is by sharing in Christ baptism, a way which will require great sacrifice of the individual.

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This is what distinguishes between the two salvation’s, the “common salvation” and the “great salvation”, the first or common salvation is made applicable to all mankind through the sacrifice of Christ in our (mankind’s) behalf, it is the free gift of God, all of His grace, and cost nothing of the individual. If it had required any cost of the individual it would not be free.

This salvation is salvation from the Adamic curse and has nothing to do with the “great salvation” the heavenly or high calling.

“Therefore, as through one man’s (Adams) offense (sin), judgment (the penalty or sentence, the Adamic curse or death) came to all men (extensively) resulting in condemnation (all men were condemned in the first Adam) even so through one man’s righteous act (the Man Christ Jesus, the second Adam, who gave his life a ransom for all) the free gift (salvation) came to all men (co-extensively) resulting in (the sentence of) justification of life.” (Rom 5:18)

“For as in Adam ALL die, even so in Christ ALL shall be made alive.” (1 Cor 15:22)

However justification of life (being redeemed from the curse) DOES NOT insure everlasting life. It merely places the individual back into a condition where everlasting life may be obtainable. Note likewise that it does not say justification to life, but justification of life, there’s a difference. Justification to life involves much more. None of mankind will reach full justification to life until they will have passed the final test at the end of the next age.

 Whereas salvation (from the Adamic curse) cost nothing of the believer, everlasting life is contingent upon meeting certain conditions. Certain of these conditions are applicable NOW to those called to the “great salvation” to membership in the bride of Christ and certain of these conditions will be required of those who participate in the restitution blessings in the next age.

“The race of Adam, born in sin and “shapen in iniquity,” has no hope of everlasting life, except upon the conditions held out in the New Testament and called The Gospel – the good tidings – that a way back from the fall, to perfection, to Divine favor and everlasting life, has been opened up through Christ for all of Adam’s family who will avail themselves of it.

CHRIST DIED FOR ADAM AND ALL HIS RACE

The keynote of this hope of reconciliation to God and thus to a fresh hope of life everlasting, is laid in the statements (1) that “Christ died for our sins,” and (2) that He “rose again for our justification”; for “the Man Christ Jesus gave Himself a Ransom [a corresponding price] FOR ALL.” Adam and his race, which, when he sinned, was yet in him, and who all thereby shared his sentence naturally, “have been redeemed [bought] by the precious blood [death] of Christ.” – 1 Pet. 1:19.

But although the Lord’s provision is abundant for all, it is not applicable to any except on certain conditions; namely, that they strive to avoid sin and to live thenceforth in harmony with God and righteousness. Hence we are told that “Eternal Life is a gift of God through Jesus Christ our Lord.” (Rom. 6:23) The following Scripture statements are very clear on this subject:

“He that hath the Son hath life [a right or privilege or grant of life as God’s gift] but he that hath not the Son [believes not, obeys not] shall not see [obtain perfect] life [will not experience a resurrection in its fullest sense of the word].” (John 3:36; 1 John 5:12) “He that believeth on the Son hath eternal life; but he that obeys not the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abides on him.” (John 3:36)

Here the two conditions are spelled out clearly, both are required of the individual if he is to gain everlasting life, faith AND obedience, NOT merely a profession of faith alone.

Here is what we were referring to earlier when we said that through Christ sacrifice we have been granted, “Justification of life” having received the “free gift of God”, redemption from the curse, but not “justification to life”, justification to perfect life, not yet. That will still be contingent upon our meeting certain conditions and test. God will never give everlasting life to any in whom he has not first thoroughly tested their obedience.

None can obtain everlasting life except from Christ the Redeemer and appointed Life-Giver; and the Truth which brings to us the privilege of manifesting faith and obedience.

This everlasting life will be granted only to those who, when they learn of it, and the terms upon which it will be granted as a gift, seek for it, by living according to the spirit of holiness. They shall reap it as a gift-reward. – Rom. 6:23; Gal. 6:8.

To gain this everlasting life we must become the Lord’s “sheep,” and follow the voice, the instructions, of the Shepherd. – John 10:26-28; John 17:2, 3.

Remember the Lord has two sheep folds, one which he is gathering now (the Church) and one which he will gather in the next age (the world of mankind, all the obedient).

“Other sheep I have which are not of THIS fold; them also I must bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold and one Shepherd.”(John 10:16)

So now we can see that salvation from the Adamic curse, “our common salvation” comes at no cost to us, save by faith and obedience to best of our ability, the cost was all that of our Lord’s, but what then of the “great salvation” does it cost something of the believer or is it free as well?

We shall take a look at this in our next post.