Our Part

What role do we play in salvation? How much of our success rests on our shoulders? What standard do we use to measure our responsibility for our salvation? Jesus saves, and we can trust in that. But do we have any part in saving ourselves? Can we blame anyone else for producing our wages, good or bad, which you have earned at the end of your time of reconciliation?

 Gen 2:16 And the LORD God commanded the man, saying, Of every tree of the garden thou mayest freely eat:

Gen 2:17 But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die.

Freedom of choice, a divine gift bestowed upon each and every individual, empowers us to select from a range of known or unknown options. In the grand tapestry of existence, God bestowed upon Adam the profound privilege of choosing between life and death. Within the utopian realm, God had meticulously provided for all Adam’s eternal needs, a testament to His unwavering love and care. This divine gift should have profoundly illuminated Adam’s understanding of God’s affection and benevolence.

Adam, without any proof of his love for God, was presented with a test. God placed two trees in the garden, the tree of life and the tree of good and evil, allowing Adam to make a choice. God permitted Adam to consume from either tree, but warned him that the tree of good and evil was poisonous and would result in his death if he ate its fruit. Despite God’s instructions, Adam chose the wrong tree, disregarding God’s will and opting for his own desires. This act of disobedience marked the original sin, leading to our downfall through the actions of our forefather Adam.

Gospel of the Kingdom Bro. William Sowders Apr 14, 1945

Page 35

I have to choose who I will serve either God or mammon. I can’t serve them both.

Gospel of the Kingdom Bro. William Sowders Aug 25, 1946

Page 3

God made me to understand what was the right way.  When I would see a thing, I was able to judge whether it was right or wrong. I don’t say it boastfully, but I have pretty good judgment now, better than I ever had, between right and wrong -right and wrong ways. Having our senses exercised to discern both good and evil - or right and wrong.

The question of our role in salvation begins and ends with us. We have the power to choose obedience or disobedience, good or evil. However, we often make excuses for our wrong choices and act like Adam, blaming others or things beyond ourselves when we make willful mistakes. Ultimately, Adam was responsible for his own choices, just as we are responsible for our own actions and pursuits, whether they are right or wrong. God has made it abundantly clear that we are accountable for our own choices.

Gospel of the Kingdom Bro. William Sowders Nov 3, 1946

Page 34

Some of us will die, some of us will be lost, some of us will live in the new world. Is it God’s fault?  He has given us a chance hasn’t he? He says, Choose you this day whom you will serve.  That is God’s justice.

God’s justice is simply flawless justice. We desire God to work flawlessly in every aspect of life. However, we often question how we can be held accountable for our imperfections since we are not perfect ourselves. The truth is, we don’t need to be infallible to make perfect choices. Adam, for instance, was sinless but not without fault in the Garden of Eden.  

Adam’s role in his own salvation was to deliberately choose not to follow God’s will. Willfully choosing God’s will over our own is the same part we play in our salvation. Our success lies in Christ Jesus, and how we obey God will proclaim our victory over Satan and the world. Will we decide to measure up in righteousness and emulate Jesus? To be like Jesus, we must make the choice to believe everything he believes.

 Joshua 24:15 And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.

Our choices clearly define our identity and the values we represent. Today, we have the opportunity to emulate the life and teachings of Jesus Christ. While yesterday’s choices are irreversible, we can make a positive difference today by choosing to be like Jesus. By doing so, we can enter tomorrow with confidence and victory, knowing that Jesus is our guiding light. This choice is entirely within our control.

Written by: Charles E. Cohenour Jr.