THREE TYPES OF SALVATION

Basically there are three types of Christian salvation advocated in our day. The first type teaches that the gate to salvation and the way of salvation are both broad and easy to travel, contrary to Scripture: “Strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it” (Mt. 7:14). This false form of Christianity believes that by his own free will man is able to walk himself through the gate of regeneration by simply admitting he has sinned and accepting Christ as shepherding Savior, all of which produces nothing more than a carefree life of enjoyment where Christianity and world need not be divorced from one another. This shallow form of Christianity, endorsed by millions, loudly shouts, “It is all dependent on you whether you want to be a sheep of Jehovah’s flock or not. By accepting Christ you have nothing to lose and everything to gain. To become converted is easy and to remain converted is easy.”

The second way of Christian salvation widely promoted in our day is more subtle. It maintains that the gate to salvation is narrow and can only be entered by grace, but the longer I am a Christian the easier it becomes. It paints the picture of a narrow gate followed by a generally broadening way as the believer becomes increasingly sanctified through his own efforts, in conjunction with helping grace from above. This is the form of Christianity which advocates journeying spiritually to Egypt for bread and corn like Joseph’s brothers, and returning to Canaan thinking to possess everything because the sacks are full and the returned money makes rich, never realizing that reconciliation with Joseph without confesstion to Joseph is impossible. This is the handy Christian religion which speaks much of God’s grace, but is able to preserve its own life, its own name, and its own conversion. Apple-like, its confessors appear to have an attractive, fruitful, and sound religion on the outside, but within it is a religion spoiled and corrupt to the core. At bottom, it is religion without the Holy Ghost, Christianity without Christ, forgiveness without repentance, justification without satisfaction, salvation without regeneration, and heaven without hell.

The third type is the Biblical way of salvation which cuts off man entirely and places salvation fully in the hands of the Divine Shepherd, teaching that both the gate to salvation and the way of salvation are impossibly narrow for flesh and blood to enter. This is the only way that corresponds with the original meaning of the word “strait gate” which refers to the low and tight slave’s gate placed at the back of a master’s house, its entrance only allowing stooping and crawling slaves, carrying no bags or baggage. Oh, let us stay with the Divine truth which preaches no solution other than the necessity of grace to enter the narrow way of salvation as well as the necessity of grace to stay on that narrow way! When Goodwill pulled Christian inside the narrow gate in Bunyan’s (Pilgrim’s Progesss), he wisely answered one of the pilgrim’s anxious questions about the way of salvation by saying, “Yes, many ways butt down upon this path, and they are crooked and wide: but thou mayest distinguish the right from the wrong because the right are always straight and always narrow.”

No, God’s sheep do not lead a continually easier life. In an unforgettable time of spiritual revival, Thomas Shepard wisely warned the church of all generations when he said, “Every easy way to heaven is a false way though ministers declare it from the pulpit and angels publish it from heaven. All easy ways to heaven lead to hell, and this is the most dangerous rock that these times are split upon—presumption or false faith.” God’s true sheep experience that the way of following their Shepherd become increasingly narrow. William Gurnall once compared the narrow way of salvation to a path between two hedges, behind which were archers shooting arrows at God’s true pilgrims every step of the way so that not one inch of ground could be gained without a holy war. Yes, God’s people even become their own greatest archer, shooting against themselves. They were enemies of free grace, and they remain enemies in and of themselves. Instead of cooperation, they find only opposition. Salvation becomes more and more impossible.

Do you also know by painful experience the narrowness of the way of salvation? Has it become so narrow that it became an impossible and cut-off matter, leaving you to cry out, “Take me out of the battle, for I am sorely wounded. I have no might against the enemies within and without”? Have you been brought into death-agony in that narrow way, stripped of everything while your Shepherd kept Himself hidden? Have you found the way of salvation too narrow for anything of you—even your best self-righteousness, your most sincere tears, your deepest heart-wrung prayers, and your most successful strivings after holiness? Have you had to lose your own name, your own life, your own conversion, and fall fully upon the one-sided work of the Triune God’s free and sovereign grace as your only hope for time and eternity?

SAVINGS FUND OF THE NETHERLANDS REFORMED CONGREGATIONS IN THE U.S.A.

FINANCIAL REPORT FOR THE THREE MONTHS ENDING SEPTEMBER 30, 1981 ASSETS

Cash in Checking Account $ 11,121.11

Savings Certificates 139,863.11

U.S. Treasury Bills 81,852.22

Loans Receivable from Churches and Schools 137,607.45

TOTAL ASSETS $370,443.89

LIABILITIES

Due Depositors 360,100.81

Fund Balance 10,343.09

LIABILITIES AND FUND

BALANCE 370,443.89

Income: Interest Earned 7,319.16

Expenses: Interest Paid 499.38

NETINCOME 6,819.78

Fund Balance 3/30/81 3,523.30

Fund Balance 9/30/81 $ 10,343.08

Peter Southway Treasurer

SAVINGS FUND OF THE NETHERLANDS REFORMED CONGREGATIONS IN THE U.S.A.

FINANCIAL REPORT FOR THE SIX MONTHS ENDING DECEMBER 31,1981

ASSETS

Cash in Checking Account $ 10,390.12

Savings Certificates 25,000.00

U.S. Treasury Bills 218,545.25

Loans Receivable from Churches and Schools 135,913.32

TOTAL ASSETS 389,848.69

LIABILITIES

Due Depositors 365,100.81

Fund Balance 24.747.88

LIABILITIES AND FUND BALANCE 389.848.69

Income: Interest Earned 22,553.06

Expenses: Interest Paid 1,328.48

NET INCOME 21,224.58

Fund Balance 6/30/81 3,523.30

Fund Balance 12/31/81 $ 24,747.88

Peter Southway Treasurer

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