The Skinski's Six Steps to Salvation
1. yield to God from the heart
2. repent
3. forsake sin through godly sorrow
4. seek a cleansing
5. cease rebellion
6. only then will God regenerate/indwell the believer.
1. yield to God from the heart
2. repent
3. forsake sin through godly sorrow
4. seek a cleansing
5. cease rebellion
6. only then will God regenerate/indwell the believer.
My steps are this...
1. Seek God diligently.
2. Godly Sorrow
works
3. Repentance (change of mind)
(2) and (3) result in a forsaking of wickedness and a yielding to God from the heart (ie. conversion) and thus...
4. Tit 3:5 Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;
In other words I believe this...
2Co 7:10 For godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation not to be repented of: but the sorrow of the world worketh death.
2Co 7:11 For behold this selfsame thing, that ye sorrowed after a godly sort, what carefulness it wrought in you, yea, what clearing of yourselves, yea, what indignation, yea, what fear, yea, what vehement desire, yea, what zeal, yea, what revenge! In all things ye have approved yourselves to be clear in this matter.
The word for "clear" in the Greek means pure. Paul says that because there has been a turning from sin in the heart. That is why godly sorrow works a real change of mind in regards to sin, righteousness and judgement and therefore produces obedience to God.I believe this...
Act 3:19 Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord;
1. Repentance.
2. Conversion.
3. Forgiveness and Regeneration.
I believe this...
Col 2:11 In whom also ye are circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ:
Col 2:12 Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of God, who hath raised him from the dead.
Col 2:13 And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses;
1. Repentance/Heart Circumcision (mind change which effects a turning away from sin)
2. Faith (ie. trusting and yielding to God)
3. Being energised/quickened by the power of God and having our sins forgiven.
So please don't make things up crossnote. One cannot yield to God before they repent as there has been no mind change to effect any kind of yielding. Yielding to God is the RESULT of repentance. Sin is forsaken through godly sorrow and repentance and it is essential because one cannot yield to God and rebel at the same time. This is why James would write...
Jas 1:21 Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls.
Jas 1:22 But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.
See how James connects "laying apart ALL filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness" with "receiving the engrafted word with meekness" ?
James knew very well that a simple profession from the mouth whilst remaining disobedience is the devils faith. That is why he connected faith with works because James knew that faith IS a work.
1Th 1:3 Remembering without ceasing your work of faith, and labour of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ, in the sight of God and our Father;