How Salvation Is Applied

Charles Spurgeon wrote, "I never knew one who could put his hand on his heart, and say, 'I believed in Jesus without the assistance of the Holy Spirit." Spurgeon understood clearly that the Holy Spirit applies the salvation of the Lord Jesus Christ in our lives. According to the Bible, faith is an abiding gift of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 13:13). Without the Holy Spirit, salvation cannot be applied to anyone.

Without the Holy Spirit, we would never see our need for Christ. His work is to convict us of the sin of unbelief, that is not believing in the Lord Jesus Christ (John 16:7-11). He convinces us concerning the truth of the gospel (1 Corinthians 15:1-4). The Holy Spirit is the Spirit of truth, guiding us into all truth. Christ is the truth (John 14:6). The Holy Spirit leads us to know and understand the truth of Christ.

Without the Holy Spirit our hearts cannot be changed to have a personal relationship with God through Christ our Lord. The heart of man is his mind, will, and emotions. Christ lives in our hearts through the Holy Spirit (Romans 8:9).

Without the assistance of the Holy Spirit, we cannot truly understand the gospel. Without the assistance of the Holy Spirit, we are unwilling to believe the gospel. Without the assistance of the Holy Spirit, we have no remorse nor sorrow for our sins. By the Holy Spirit salvation is applied.

Walking with God

Walking with God is not a strange mystical experience reserved for only a few. To the contrary, walking with God is the normal Christian experience. It is the birthright of every born again believer in Jesus Christ.

Walking with God is walking in the light. "But if we walk in the light as He is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin" (1 John 1:7). Walking with God is daily fellowship and communion with Him. That involves talking to God in prayer, and God speaking to us through the words of Holy Scripture.

Walking with God is by faith. He welcomes us to walk with Him. Only by faith can we experience God daily. "For we walk by faith, not by sight" (2 Corinthians 5:7). The natural eye cannot see God, but the heart of faith knows fellowship with God always and everywhere.

Walking with God is walking with love, that leads us everyday and all the way. Love will walk with us on the right path. Love will walk with us through every valley. Love will keep us all along the way. "And walk in love as Christ has also loved us" (Ephesians 5:2). This love of God comes only as a gift of the Spirit poured out into our hearts (Romans 5:5). It is an abiding gift of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 13:13).