HEALTH AND SALVATION

I. What is Salvation?
A. Definitions:
1. Dictionary: Salvation means "' deliverance."
2. What is Bible salvation?- It is deliverance from sin ( Matt. 1:21).
3. What is sin - It is transgression or disobedience lo God's laws ( 1 .In 3:4).
• If salvation means deliverance from sin which is disobedience to God's
laws, then salvation means deliverance from disobedience which means
being obedient to the laws of God. Salvation, then, means obedience.
4. What is righteousness? " Righteousness is right-doing" -COL 312. It is
"conformity to the law of God" -SD 314. "It is holiness."
So righteousness, holiness, and salvation mean — conformity or obedience
to the law of God. Salvation is making man holy, righteous, or obedient to
all of God's commandments.
 II. Obedience to God's Laws Means Life
• A. “Obey and live; disobey and die" is a fundamental principle in the
universe.
• 1. God is the source of life. Apart from Him any living creature dies.
Rebellion or disobedience to God's will or laws is sure suicide.

• 2. .Everything in the universe exists by the Governing principles of

God. From the smallest to the biggest galaxy — all exist, function and
continue through God’s ordained laws.
• From the sprout of the seed, to the choice of the texture, the taste, sue,
color, and nutrients of its fruits — all are balanced and controlled be
God's specific laws.
• From the perfect composition of the different elements in the air we
breath, to the delicate balance of the atmosphere so that we are not
burned, to the setting of the specific ocean boundaries so that we are
not all washed away, to the minute detail in the constitution and
purpose of everything in the vast universe so that there is beauty,
harmony and order, peace and happiness—all are maintained and
controlled be God's laws.
• 3. Among God's perfect creation only man and angels
God's crowning. works of creation are endowed with
the privilege lo choose to obey or disobey God’s laws
• Other created beings like planets, insects, animals etc.
are programmed to obey and function as designed.
Sometimes we call this intelligence that controls them
as "instinct ." They can not do otherwise, for God
made them that way.
• But man was given not only superior intelligence but also freedom
of choice. It was made plain to him that if he wanted to live forever
in peace, in health, and in happiness. he must abide with the fixed
laws that were designed to govern his existence. These were the
moral laws that govern his spiritual condition, and the natural laws
that govern his physical well-being, for man is both a physical and
spiritual being.
• On the other hand, he can choose to disobey, the result of which
will be sorrow. suffering, sickness, and death.
• Read: Deut. 30:15, 16, 19 and Exo. 15:26
• 4. Man chose to disobey, and so reaped the sad consequence:
sorrow, ill-health and death
B. The condition of eternal life today is still the same through
obedience.

• 1. God offers man second chance to be restored to eternal life through

a divine plan the plan of salvation. Since salvation means deliverance
from sin or restoring man back to obedience, then the plan of salvation
is the plan and work of God to bring. man
• Back to loving obedience to God's laws -the result of which is eternal
life. For without obedience there is no eternal life.
• The condition of eternal life is now what is always has been —just
what it was in paradise before the fall of our first parents—perfect
obedience to the law of God. perfect righteousness.
• If eternal life were granted in any condition short of this. then the
happiness of the whole universe would be imperiled. "SC 52.
• Jesus said: " If thou wilt enter into eternal life, keep the
commandments" Matt. 19:7.
• Paul said: "Without holiness (perfect obedience) no man can see the
Lord " Heb. '2:14.
• John said: "To him that overcometh (overcome sin or total obedience)
will 1 give to eat of the tree of life." Rev 2:7.
• "Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right
to the tree of life and may enter in through the gates into the city." Rev.
22:14.
• 2. The restoration of man from sin (or disobedience) to perfect
obedience (or perfect righteousness or to holiness to salvation which
brings Eternal life. Is possible only through the gift of God, His son
Jesus Christ (John 3: 16).
• a. He came down to teach man how to live a life of obedience to God's laws.
• b. He died as a sacrifice to pay all of man sins or disobedience of God’s laws
• c. He provided Devine power man could live a life of obedience, a life of purity, a life of
holiness— the result of which is eternal life.
• Christ left his heavenly courts. and came to this earth to live the life of human beings. This
sacrifice he made to show... that it is possible for man to obey the laws of God's kingdom.
-5BC 1129.
• Christ came to this world to show that by receiving power on high man can live an
unsullied life. -MH 25
• In becoming man's substitute, in bearing the curse that should fall upon man, Christ has
pledged himself in behalf of the race to maintain the sacred and exalted honor of his
father's law. He came to convince men of sin, which is the transgression of the law, and
through divine mediation bring him back to obedience to God's commandments ST April
30. 1940.
• Whosoever would accept Him might have power to live His sinless life. 7BC 927
III. The Faith that Saves is the Faith that Brings Obedience

• A. What is faith?
• 1. Faith is complete Trust
• Faith is a substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not
seen. Heb. 11:1
• In other words it is complete trust or confidence in God that He knows
what is best for us whether we understand His ways or not, whether
we see the future or not. We trust His word and obey without
complaining.
• 2. Saving faith is the faith that brings obedience,
• Saving faith is a transaction by which those who receive Christ Join
themselves in covenant relation with God .. A living faith means an
increase in vigor, a confiding trust, by which, through the grace of
Christ, the soul becomes a conquering power -MH62.

• In other words a man is saved by faith when he commits himself to

God, and to t His will, trusting Him completely, and using God's power
to conquer sin and to obey all of His commandments.
• The faith essential for salvation ... is not merely an impulse, but a power
that works by love and purifies the soul. ~RH Aug. 18, 1891.
• Faith without works is dead, being alone.- James 2:17
• Those who profess faith yet have not works, will not be saved by their
faith. -IT 651.
• All will be justified by their faith and judged by their works. --4T 386.
• ... it is by their deeds that all will be judged ... The works show whether
the faith is genuine -COL 312.
• By obedience the people were to give evidence of their faith. "PP 279. So
the faith that saves is the faith that brings obedience to God's laws
• 3. Lack of faith and distrust is the cause of sin.
• It was distrust of God's goodness, disbelief of his works, and rejection
of authority that has made our first parents transgressors, and that
brought unto the world a knowledge of evil. It was this that opened
the door to every species of falsehood " and error. -Ed 25.
• If it is "distrust" or lack of faith in God that leads to sin or
disobedience, the fruits of which is suffering, sorrow and death,
• then it is "faith" in God that brings obedience — the fruits of which is
peace, happiness and eternal life.
• Paul said: "Without faith it is impossible to please him (God)" Heb.
11:6. Pleasing God can be done only through obedience to his will.
• Jesus said: " If you love me keep my commandments" John 14:15.
• Therefore, it is faith or complete trust in God, or true love to God,
that makes obedience to His commandments possible and which
make God happy
• They that have the faith of Jesus and have the love of God in their
heart are those that keep His commandments.
• Rev. 14:12 "Here are they that keep the commandment of God and
the faith of , Jesus."
• Phil-4:13: "I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me."
B. Salvation by faith is righteousness by faith or holiness by
faith. It means obedience to all God's commandments by faith.
• 1. It is through faith in Christ atoning sacrifice that man is forgiven of all
his sins or disobedience (Eph. 2:8).
• Eph 2:8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of
yourselves: it is the
• gift of God.
• 2. !t is through faith that man receives divine power to live a life of
righteousness or obedience (1 John 5:4).
• I Jn 5:4 For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world: and this is
the
• victory that overcometh the world, even our faith.
• 3. It is through faith that man attains to Christ like characterr or
obedient nature (Heb.7:25 Eph. 4:12. 13).
• Heb 7:25 Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost
that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make
intercession for them.
• Eph 4:12-13 For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the
ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:
• Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the
Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of
the fulness of Christ.
C. Salvation Means Obedience to God's Laws of Health

• /... The laws of God are laws of life. The laws of life are also the laws
of health.
• Health includes man's physical and spiritual well being. Hence the
laws of health includes the natural and moral laws which God
designed so man will live forever in happiness and peace.
• Therefore, the laws of God are the laws of health both for man's
physical and spiritual condition. Obedience to these laws means life,
peace, and happiness.
• Example: Being impure in thought or committing adultery is wrong
and leads to death (sin against the moral law).
• It is bad for man to abuse his health and destroy his body as it is to be
dishonest — both lead to sorrow, suffering, sickness and death.
• On the other hand, caring for one's own body by obeying the natural laws
and being morally upright by obeying the moral '---laws lead to happiness,
peace, and eternal
• All the laws of nature which are the laws of God—are designed for our good.
Obedience to them will promote our happiness in this life, and will aid us in
a 'reparation for the life to come. "CH 386.
• !• is as truly a sin to violate the laws of our being as it is to break God's laws.
1'hose who transgress the laws of God in their physical organism will be
inclined to violate the law of God spoken from Sinai. —CDF 17.
• It is a terrible sin to abuse the health that God has given us; for every
abuse of health enfeebles us for life. and makes us losers, even if we
gain any amount of education. ~3T 150.
• Health, life, and happiness are the result of obedience to physical
laws governing our bodies... If we cooperate with Him in this work.
health and happiness, peace and usefulness are the sure result. -SD
172.
B. "Sin" in the Scriptures includes sin against the moral
law as well as against natural and physical laws.
• 1. Mark 2:5, 9-11 Jess healed the man sick of palsy by forgiving. his sins.
• When Jesus saw their faith, he said unto the sick of the palsy. Son, thy sins
be
• forgiven thee...
• Whether is it easier to say to the sick of the palsy. Thy sins be forgiven thee;
or to say. Arise, and take up thy bed, and walk?
• But that ye may know that the Son of man hath power on earth to forgive
sins, (he saith to the sick of the palsy,)
• I say unto thee. Arise, and take up thy bed, and go thy way into thine house.
• 2. James 5:15, 16 The healing . of the sick goes with forgiveness of
sins.
• James 5:15-16 And the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord
shall raise him up; and if he have committed sins, (hey shall be
forgiven him. Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for
another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a
righteous man availeth much.
• 3.Ps. 103:3 God forgives our sins and heals our sicknesses.
• Psa 103:3 Who forgiveth all thine iniquities; who healeth all thy
diseases;
C. Salvation in the Scriptures includes healing or restoration
of both physical and spiritual sin of disobedience.

• I Christ's work of salvation includes physical und spiritual healing

• Mark 2:17 When Jesus heard it, he saith unto them. They that are
whole have no need of the physician, but they that are sick: I came
not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance.
• 2. Healing and salvation are combined
• Jer 17:14 Heal me. 0 LORD, and 1 shall be healed: save me. and 1 shall
be saved: for thou art my praise.
• 3. Christ's work on earth: leaching (menial healing), preaching
(spiritual hailing, healing the sick (physical healing).
• Matt 9:35 And Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in
their synagogues, and preaching (lie gospel of the kingdom, and
healing every sickness and every disease among the people.
• Salvation and healing physically as well as spiritually are mentioned in
the Bible more than 151 times.
• Salvation in the Scriptures is salvation from spiritual and physical sin.
This means forgiveness of man's disobedience and his restoration to
complete harmony or obedience to physical as well as spiritual laws
that govern his being through faith in Christ.

• V. The Plan of Salvation is Man's Restoration to Perfect Health

• A. The purpose of the gospel, the plan of salvation , the plan of
redemption, the object of education, the mission of Christ, and the
work of the Holy Spirit on earth are only one.
• — the restoration of man to sinlessness to righteousness, to holiness,
• to perfect health of soul and body, to restoration of the lost image of God
in man, to total conformity to the laws and will of God.
• The plan of salvation was devised ... to bring him back to perfection in
which he was created .. . ~PP 559.
• The plan of redemption contemplates our complete recovery from the
power of Satan -DA 311.
• To restore in man the image of his maker, to bring back to the perfection in
which he was created,.. this was to be the object of education, the great
object of life -Ed 15,16.
• It was His (Christ's) mission to bring man complete restoration. He came to
give them health, peace, and perfection of character. By the power of the
Holy Spirit the moral image of God is to be perfect in the character" -TM
506.
VII. Conclusion
• A. A man is saved not only when his sins are forgiven but when he is
fully restored to prefect harmony to God's laws or to perfect
obedience to His will.
• B. Since the laws of God are both the natural and moral laws, or
physical and spiritual laws.
• —then man is saved only when through faith he avails of God's grace
or power to be forgiven of his disobedience and be restored to total
obedience to both physical and moral laws.
• —then and only then will it be safe for God to bring man to His
kingdom and live with him forever
• —for in His kingdom only the law-abiding or the righteous can enter
and dwell:
• 2 Peter 3:13 Nevertheless we according to his promise, look for a new
heaven and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness.
• Rev 21:27 And there shall in no wise enter into it any thing that
defileth, neither whatsoever worketh abomination, or maketh a lie:
but ihev which are written in the , Lamb's book of life.
• Rev. 22:14 Blessed are they that keep His commandments that they
may have the right to the tree of life and may enter in through the
gates into the city.