As has been presented in our prior articles, the position of each individual before God falls clearly within one of two groups, the saved or the unsaved (the lost). There is no middle group in which an individual can be placed before God; either you’re saved or unsaved. There is no sitting on the fence when it comes to an individual’s choice regarding salvation. When one accepts God’s Word as possessing authority then one accepts what it says as truth and thus will respond to its truths.
So, when one accepts by faith what God’s Word communicates regarding salvation, Christ work on the cross, then their position before God is as one being counted among the saved; one has been moved from a position of being unsaved to a position of being saved. When one chooses to reject or have disregard for God’s Word as possessing authority then one finds no need to respond God’s Word in regards to Christ work on the cross for salvation; thinking they can be neutral in the things of God regarding salvation. But in reality, they have rejected God’s plan for salvation and their position before God is as one being counted among the unsaved. How often have people said, “I don’t need God right now, I’ll get straight with Him when I’m older.” Maybe they think God will view them differently because they want to get straight with Him, but not just right now. But God’s Word doesn’t make any provision for such thinking, there is no middle ground or sitting on the fence, their position before Him still remains as one being counted among the unsaved. There is no neutrality in salvation, it is one or the other; saved or unsaved.
This same principle is also reflected in the life of the saved and unsaved. The Bible is clear there is no such thing as an independent human life (Chafer). Each individual, be they saved or unsaved, are influenced, energized, or empowered by something outside of themselves and the Bible clearing states it is either by God’s Spirit (in the life of the saved) or “the prince of the power of the air” or Satan (in the life of the unsaved). Again, these is no middle influencer, it’s either God or it’s Satan. This is clearly presented to us by the Apostle Paul in Ephesians 2:1-4:
“And you were dead in your trespasses and sins, in which you formerly walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, of the spirit that is now working in the sons of disobedience. Among them we too all formerly lived in the lusts of our flesh, indulging the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, even as the rest.” (NASB)
In these verses we clearing see that prior to being saved one came under and remained under the influence of “the prince of the power of the air”, which the Bible clearing states is Satan. We “walked according to the course (influence) of this world”, which is according “to the prince of the power of the air”, whose spirit (Satan) “is now working in the sons of disobedience.” Paul reminds them that this was how we all formerly lived; “we were by nature children of wrath, even as the rest.” It’s important to note by using “we” Paul includes himself as one being under the influence of this world. Paul, who prior to his conversion was a Pharisee, was a very religious Jew and zealous for those things of God.
Now if Satan is the one energizing the unsaved within all aspects of their present activity, then we can conclude it is God who is energizing the life of the saved; “for it is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure” (Philippians 2:13). So, we can conclude from these two verses that men are either energized by God (the saved) or by Satan (the unsaved) and there is no other influence which an individual can fall under; an individual cannot remain independent of either.
Chafer makes a great observation regarding the lives of those under the influence of Satan when he states, “In all the children of disobedience, regardless of professions or conduct, Satan is here said to be the energizing power. The energy of this mighty being may inspire refinement, education, culture, and the externals of religion, for it is not against these external virtues that Satan is opposed. His enmity is intelligently directed against the saving grace of God, which is a widely differing issue from that which the problems of personal conduct present.”
Today, as well as throughout the course of history, many unsaved people have dedicated their lives to great human causes, many in the name of God, but they never accepted the work of Christ in their life for salvation and as such remain counted among the unsaved before God. Chafer writes, “Before the infinite holiness of God no person, saved or unsaved, can rightfully claim, within his own merit, to be obedient and righteous in the sight of God; yet the weakest person who stands in Christ is, by virtue of that position, a child of obedience in the sight of God.”
Are the saved perfect? Are the saved without sin? The answer to these two questions is no. The saved are not perfect and are not free from the influences of this world. They still struggle with the battle of the flesh each and every day. But before God, because of faith in Christ for one’s salvation, they remain as counted among the save before God. Each and every day the saved must determine who will influence their activities. This is clearly stated in Paul’s letters to the Galatians and the Colossians.
Galatians 5:16-24 – "But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh. For the flesh sets its desire against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; for these are in opposition to one another, so that you may not do the things that you please. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the Law. Now the deeds of the flesh are evident, which are: immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, disputes, dissensions, factions, envying, drunkenness, carousing, and things like these, of which I forewarn you, just as I have forewarned you, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. Now those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires". (NASB)
Colossians 3:1- 17 - "Therefore if you have been raised up with Christ, keep seeking the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth. For you have died and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is our life, is revealed, then you also will be revealed with Him in glory."
"Therefore, consider the members of your earthly body as dead to immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and greed, which amounts to idolatry. For it is because of these things that the wrath of God will come upon the sons of disobedience, and in them you also once walked, when you were living in them. But now you also, put them all aside: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and abusive speech from your mouth. Do not lie to one another, since you laid aside the old self with its evil practices, and have put on the new self who is being renewed to a true knowledge according to the image of the One who created him— a renewal in which there is no distinction between Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave and freeman, but Christ is all, and in all."
"So, as those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved, put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience; bearing with one another, and forgiving each other, whoever has a complaint against anyone; just as the Lord forgave you, so also should you. Beyond all these things put on love, which is the perfect bond of unity. Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body; and be thankful. Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you, with all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with thankfulness in your hearts to God. Whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the Father." (NASB)
This same principle is also reflected in the life of the saved and unsaved. The Bible is clear there is no such thing as an independent human life (Chafer). Each individual, be they saved or unsaved, are influenced, energized, or empowered by something outside of themselves and the Bible clearing states it is either by God’s Spirit (in the life of the saved) or “the prince of the power of the air” or Satan (in the life of the unsaved). Again, these is no middle influencer, it’s either God or it’s Satan. This is clearly presented to us by the Apostle Paul in Ephesians 2:1-4:
“And you were dead in your trespasses and sins, in which you formerly walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, of the spirit that is now working in the sons of disobedience. Among them we too all formerly lived in the lusts of our flesh, indulging the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, even as the rest.” (NASB)
In these verses we clearing see that prior to being saved one came under and remained under the influence of “the prince of the power of the air”, which the Bible clearing states is Satan. We “walked according to the course (influence) of this world”, which is according “to the prince of the power of the air”, whose spirit (Satan) “is now working in the sons of disobedience.” Paul reminds them that this was how we all formerly lived; “we were by nature children of wrath, even as the rest.” It’s important to note by using “we” Paul includes himself as one being under the influence of this world. Paul, who prior to his conversion was a Pharisee, was a very religious Jew and zealous for those things of God.
Now if Satan is the one energizing the unsaved within all aspects of their present activity, then we can conclude it is God who is energizing the life of the saved; “for it is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure” (Philippians 2:13). So, we can conclude from these two verses that men are either energized by God (the saved) or by Satan (the unsaved) and there is no other influence which an individual can fall under; an individual cannot remain independent of either.
Chafer makes a great observation regarding the lives of those under the influence of Satan when he states, “In all the children of disobedience, regardless of professions or conduct, Satan is here said to be the energizing power. The energy of this mighty being may inspire refinement, education, culture, and the externals of religion, for it is not against these external virtues that Satan is opposed. His enmity is intelligently directed against the saving grace of God, which is a widely differing issue from that which the problems of personal conduct present.”
Today, as well as throughout the course of history, many unsaved people have dedicated their lives to great human causes, many in the name of God, but they never accepted the work of Christ in their life for salvation and as such remain counted among the unsaved before God. Chafer writes, “Before the infinite holiness of God no person, saved or unsaved, can rightfully claim, within his own merit, to be obedient and righteous in the sight of God; yet the weakest person who stands in Christ is, by virtue of that position, a child of obedience in the sight of God.”
Are the saved perfect? Are the saved without sin? The answer to these two questions is no. The saved are not perfect and are not free from the influences of this world. They still struggle with the battle of the flesh each and every day. But before God, because of faith in Christ for one’s salvation, they remain as counted among the save before God. Each and every day the saved must determine who will influence their activities. This is clearly stated in Paul’s letters to the Galatians and the Colossians.
Galatians 5:16-24 – "But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh. For the flesh sets its desire against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; for these are in opposition to one another, so that you may not do the things that you please. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the Law. Now the deeds of the flesh are evident, which are: immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, disputes, dissensions, factions, envying, drunkenness, carousing, and things like these, of which I forewarn you, just as I have forewarned you, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. Now those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires". (NASB)
Colossians 3:1- 17 - "Therefore if you have been raised up with Christ, keep seeking the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth. For you have died and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is our life, is revealed, then you also will be revealed with Him in glory."
"Therefore, consider the members of your earthly body as dead to immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and greed, which amounts to idolatry. For it is because of these things that the wrath of God will come upon the sons of disobedience, and in them you also once walked, when you were living in them. But now you also, put them all aside: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and abusive speech from your mouth. Do not lie to one another, since you laid aside the old self with its evil practices, and have put on the new self who is being renewed to a true knowledge according to the image of the One who created him— a renewal in which there is no distinction between Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave and freeman, but Christ is all, and in all."
"So, as those who have been chosen of God, holy and beloved, put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience; bearing with one another, and forgiving each other, whoever has a complaint against anyone; just as the Lord forgave you, so also should you. Beyond all these things put on love, which is the perfect bond of unity. Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body; and be thankful. Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you, with all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with thankfulness in your hearts to God. Whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the Father." (NASB)