Volume 29 Issue 3
A publication of Focus Evangelistic Ministries, Inc
Fall 2019
THE COMMUNICATOR
Focus Evangelistic Ministries, Inc. PO Box 498 Danielsville, GA 30633
Important Differences
Salvation and dedication are two different things. The differences between the two are important to know.
Let’s Define the Two
Salvation is a gift from God given when a person believes in Christ to save the person into eternal life.
Dedication is a spiritual state of fellowship with God in which a believer is obedient and bearing spiritual fruit.
The crucial distinction to be made is that dedication contains works, but works is not a part of salvation.
“If works were a requirement for salvation, our gospel would not be grace…”
Important Differences
Salvation | Dedication | |
Time | Happens in one moment of faith, (John 6:47, Acts 10:43) | A journey, process over time (Romans 12:1,2; Colossians 2:6) |
Means | Faith alone in Christ alone (John 3:36, Ephesians 2:8,9) | Faith and works (I Corinthians 3:13, John 15:5) |
Longevity | Can never be lost (John 6:37) | May be forfeited (2 Timothy 4:10, Philippians 2:21) |
Cost | Free, no cost to the believer; all cost paid by Christ (Romans 3:24) | Everything (Luke 14:33) |
Benefit | Eternal life, forgiveness of sin (John 3:16, Acts 13:38,39) | Harmony with God now, eternal rewards forever (John 15:1-8, I Corinthians 3:12-15) |
Don’t They Go Together?
Every saved person should be dedicated, certainly. In a perfect world, all believers would live in a perfect spiritual state. But this world is fallen. Even saved people are subject to temptation, strong forces of spiritual darkness, and a flesh that is weaker than we might want to admit. Dedication should be guarded against intrusions that spoil spiritual commitment. Thankfully, salvation is held and protected by the Lord. It doesn’t rise and fall with dedication. Thank God for salvation by grace!
Persevering in a dedicated state carries awesome benefits, but the Bible is honest about the fact that saved people sometimes do not persevere in spiritual living; yet, they are still saved, by grace through faith.
Examples From Scripture
Jacob was a wanderer, searching for what was best for himself rather than live as the Lord commanded. His life was full of trouble, but he was saved by grace through faith (Gen. 47:9, 49:33).
David should have been leading his army to war rather than googling Bathsheba, his neighbor. Sin cost him his joy, his kingdom, and his family, yet his salvation was secure (Psalm 38).
The Thessalonians had some lazy, unfruitful believers among them who came under Paul’s rebuke. They had faith, but their work had been traded away for the lifestyles of busybodies. Could they really be saved while being so far from dedication? Yes. Paul advised that if the slothful continued in their disorder, the dedicated believers should break fellowship from the undedicated, yet they were to treat them as brothers in the Lord (2 Thessalonians 3:11-18).
These are only a few of the saved, but undedicated, people in the Bible. The Galatians had their problems, as well as the Hebrews. The Ephesians lost their first love, and Demas left Paul. Honesty requires that we teach these examples of people who were saved by the awesome grace of God through faith. We should also call saved people to serve the Lord and receive further fantastic benefits reserved for the dedicated.
Why Does it Matter?
Basic Bible study teaches that salvation is not by works, but sometimes the truth of salvation by grace is eclipsed by mixing faith and works into evangelism. This is error, and it confuses. Evangelism is a message of grace and faith. Fruit bearing is for discipleship teaching, not evangelism.
“But to him that worketh not, but believeth on Him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.” – Romans 4:5
Unsaved people need the gospel of grace and the assurance of salvation through faith. On the other hand, believers need to be trained in their new identity in Christ so they can grow, walk, and serve.
F.E.M.I. is a non-profit organization. All gifts are tax deductible. Freddie is supported through the financial support of churches and families who love him and believe in the ministry that God has entrusted to him. All bookings are handled through the ministry office on a first come basis. Freddie does not charge a fee for his speaking ministries but trusts the Lord’s people to care for and support him.
Gifts or Contact by mail: FEMI PO Box 498 Danielsville GA 30633 Phone: 762-218-3060
Operating Support
We speak only rarely of funding, but we
do have needs as a faith ministry. God
bless you for your support!
If Not for the Cross of Calvary:
Our sins would not be paid.
We would be separated from God.
We would have no Heavenly High Priest.
We would have no Advocate when we sin.
We could not know the basis of forgiveness.
We would have no gospel to tell.
The grace of God would be a mystery.
There would have been no resurrection.
“Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved…” Acts 16:31
Pastor Appreciation Day
October 13th, 2019
If you have a faithful pastor, holding forth
the Word and the pure gospel of grace,
you are blessed!
Speak up! Let him know you
appreciate him for upholding God’s
Word. Tell him you have his back, and
pray for him.
Pray for the Preachers!
The work of pastors, teachers, and evangelists is tiring and can be full of overwhelming challenges. They need the Lord! Those who labor in the Word of God are worthy of double honor; yet they can often feel like quitting for lack of support and encouragement.
Pray for them, and let them know they are blessing you through their labors and fellowship.
Pray This for the Preachers:
1. For clarity in the gospel of salvation and in discipleship teaching
2. For purity in life and ministry, and deep
love for the wife and children
3. For their wives to love the Lord and respect the labor of their husbands so much that that man will never doubt the presence of his wife in his corner
4. For their children to grow up with sweetness in the Lord, without bitterness because their father gave so much to other people, often unappreciated.
Gospel Means Go!