Salvation And Its Importance In Your Life

The assurance of salvation is the most important thing in life. It should be the number one concern of every human being. Sadly, too often it is not.

The good news is, the Bible teaches that you can know for sure that you are going to heaven. I John 5:13 says: "These things have I written unto you that believe on the name of the Son of God; that ye may KNOW THAT YE HAVE ETERNAL LIFE..."

Notice that this verse doesn't say, "that ye may HOPE that you can GET eternal life." It says that you can know that you have it, as a present possession. How do you get it? Acts 16:31 says: "Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved..."

Notice again that it doesn't say, "Believe and you will someday be saved." It rather says, "Believe...and BE saved."

Of course, the word "saved" makes a lot of people nervous. A man told me once, "We don't speak in those terms at our church." But that's a shame, because the Bible uses this word over and over again. John Newton used it hundreds of years ago when he wrote that most beloved of all Christian hymns, "Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound that SAVED a wretch like me." You've probably even sung that song! Well, it was written by a man who was saved, and you can be saved too. Ephesians 2:8, 9 says: "For by grace are ye saved through faith, and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God. Not of works, lest any man should boast."

Here we see that people are saved "by grace," and "through faith." By God's grace. Through your faith. Faith and believing are the same thing. If you believe something, it means you have faith in it.

Notice also the contrast to "works." Works are things that we can DO. Most people think that they can be saved by the things that they do. If they don't do bad things, if they instead do good things, they think that they will be saved. The problem with this system is that you can never be SURE that you've done enough good things, and avoided enough bad things, to be saved. That's why the people who believe this are generally not sure they are saved. But Romans 4:16 says, "Therefore it is OF FAITH, that it might be BY GRACE, to the end THE PROMISE MIGHT BE SURE..."

The only way you can be sure of salvation is by faith. If you had to do as little as lift your finger to be saved, you could never be sure that you had done it right.

But by faith we can believe that the Lord Jesus Christ did it right. We can be sure that He lived a sinless life. He never did anything wrong, He did everything right. A person like that didn't deserve to die. The Bible says that "the wages of sin is death" (Romans 6:23). But He was no sinner. Why did He have to die? Ah, He died OUR death. He died our death so that we could have His righteousness and be saved. II Corinthians 5:21 says: "For God made Him to be sin for us, who knew no sin, that we might be made the righteousness of God in Him."

Two thousand years ago, God laid all of our sins on Christ as He hung on Calvary. But that doesn't mean that everyone is saved! Two thousand years later, WHEN YOU BELIEVE that Christ paid for all of your sins, God then takes Christ's righteousness and puts it on you, completing the transaction that must be completed for the redemption of your soul.

We like to explain it this way. God says to us in the Bible that Christ paid for all of your sins. The only question is, Do you BELIEVE God when He says that all of your sins are paid for? Do you TRUST Him when He says that?

If you do, the Bible says that you are SAVED. If you don't, well, you just have to go on trying to pay for your sins in your own way. By being good. By not being bad. But these are things the Bible says you can't do well enough to be saved. Romans 4:5 says: "But to him that worketh not, but believeth on Him that justifieth the ungodly, HIS FAITH is COUNTED FOR RIGHTEOUSNESS."

Titus 3:5 says: "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."

That big word "regeneration" is just a big word that means to be "born again," as the Lord talked about in John 3. But in both of these verses, you can see that salvation is by faith alone, and has nothing to do with your conduct.

Most people think that we are all born GOOD, and on our way to heaven, and that we have to do something REALLY BAD to blow it and go to hell. But the Bible teaches the opposite. The Bible teaches that we are all born bad, and have to get saved by faith to go to heaven.

Sometimes when we explain this, people then ask, "Why then should I be good?" The answer to this question is, we should be good out of gratitude for God for saving us. Earlier I quoted Ephesians 2:8,9 to show that we are saved "by grace" and "through faith." But the NEXT verse in Ephesians 2 tells us where "being good" comes in: "For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus UNTO good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them" (Ephesians 2:10).

When we are saved, we are made "new creatures" in Christ (II Corinthians 5:17). But Ephesians 2:10 here says that we were "created in Christ Jesus UNTO good works." That is, we were saved by faith, but we were saved FOR A PURPOSE, for a reason. God saved us and made us new creatures in Christ so that we would THEN do good works.

Most people get the cart before the horse, as the saying goes. Most people think you do good works, then God saves you. The Bible teaches that instead we are saved by believing, then we SHOULD do good works. Right after Titus 3:5 says we are saved "not by works of righteousness," three verses later it says, "...these things I will that thou affirm constantly, that they which have believed in God might be careful TO MAINTAIN GOOD WORKS. These things are good and profitable unto men."

Do you see it? We are not saved by good works, but after we are saved by faith, we are told we should do good works to please the One who saved us. Romans 6:23 says: "For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord."

Here there is a contrast drawn between "wages" and a "gift." Wages are something that we EARN. We go to work, and work all week, and the boss pays us. If we want to be polite, we can say "thank you" when he hands us the check, but we don't have to. He OWES us that money, we EARNED it. But a gift is something altogether different. You can't earn a gift. If you did, it wouldn't be a gift. That's why the verses BEFORE Romans 4:5 says, "Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt "But to him that worketh not, but believeth on Him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.

You can't earn a gift, you can only receive it. And the way you receive the gift of salvation is by faith, by believing God when He says your sins are paid for.

Suppose you were a gambler, and racked up a debt of a million dollars to the Mafia. They threatened to kill you unless you paid up. A wealthy friend learns of your plight and comes to you and says, "Don't worry, I've paid your debt." Now in this case, you must REALLY BELIEVE that your friend paid your debt. You must really TRUST your friend when he says that. That's why the other word that the Bible uses besides "believe" is "trust." Ephesians 1:12 talks about people... "...who first TRUSTED in Christ."

"In whom ye also TRUSTED, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise" (Ephesians 1:13).

If you DON'T trust that your friend paid your gambling debt, then you will most likely continue to make payments to your bookie or loan shark. But if you DO trust your friend when he says that your debt has been paid, then you will rest comfortably in that knowledge, knowing that you've been "saved" from an awful fate, and you will be forever grateful to the one who saved you. That's how salvation works too. In John 5:24, the Lord said: "Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth My word, and believeth on Him that sent Me, HATH EVERLASTING LIFE, and SHALL NOT COME INTO CONDEMNATION, but IS PASSED FROM DEATH UNTO LIFE."

Here we see that the Bible teaches that not only are you saved if you believe on the Lord, you already possess eternal life, and it is NOT POSSIBLE for you to ever be condemned for your sins, for you are ALREADY passed "from death unto [eternal] life." Remember, Acts 16:31 says, "believe...and...be saved." It DOESN'T say, "Believe and be good." It doesn't even say, "Believe and be religious." It just says believe and be saved. If you believe that Christ died to pay for all of your sins, and that you don't have to pay for any of them, the Bible says you are saved.

In I Corinthians 15:1-4, the Apostle Paul identifies “the gospel” that he preached to the Corinthians, by which they were “saved”: “For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures; and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day according to the Scriptures”

You too can be among those who are “saved,” if you will simply put your faith in the blood of the Lord Jesus Christ (Romans 3:25).

Question. What does Paul mean when he says in 1 Corinthians 9 22-26:

To the weak became I as weak, that I might gain the weak: I am made all things to all men, that I might by all means save some. And this I do for the gospel's sake, that I might be partaker thereof with you. Know ye not that they which run in a race run all, but one receiveth the prize? So run, that ye may obtain. And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible. I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beateth the air: But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.

What does that mean, that Paul would be a castaway?

after you answer Claud. Please tell me what dose Paul mean when he says

Phi 3:10 That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death; Phi 3:11 If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead. Phi 3:12 Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus. Phi 3:13 Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, Phi 3:14 I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.

Just because Grace is a Free gift doesn't mean it is not conditional.

Most people think that they can be saved by the things that they do. If they don't do bad things, if they instead do good things, they think that they will be saved. The problem with this system is that you can never be SURE that you've done enough good things, and avoided enough bad things, to be saved. This makes no sense according to God's word.

The wages of sin is death. OK how much can you sin before you die spiritually Once? ten times ? one million? The answer is once you sin you are guilty and must die.{ The soul that sins will die.} You can so all the good works you like you may never sin again but that one will cause you to lose your soul. That is how Righteous and Holy God is.

Now if God said he will forgive you this sin but you must confess it and repent would that be you working your way to heaven? or would that be a offer of Grace?

oh AFTER I answer...in other words, we’ll sidestep that and skip onto something else. LOL

No, I’d really like an answer to my question. What does Paul mean when he says lest he himself is cast away?

And I’ll answer your question as well, but I don’t understand what point you are making from Paul. Could you explain?

And lest we talk past each other here, the idea that one gets to heaven by works and works alone is Pelagianism pure and simple—and abominable heresy. I am no Pelagian, and I have NEVER EVER met one on this forum. It is *impossible* for man to attain heaven without a free gift of Grace..no ifs ands ors or buts. Anyone who has the merest knowledge of Christianity knows that.

One never ever ever ever works one’s way to heaven. That’s Pelagianism, and it’s heresy. Repentance—and any true work of charity for that matter—is always a supernatural gift of grace.

after you answer Claud.

Perhaps I did not word that the best. It was meant for faithplusnothing1. I wanted him to answer your Question first then answer mine. Because I used your name i wanted you to know.

Phi 3:10-14 dose this sound Like Paul thought himself already saved?

In one sense we are saved all ready, and another sense yet to be. salvation can be lost you can fall from Grace

Gal 5:4 Christ is become of no effect unto you, whosoever of you are justified by the law; ye are fallen from grace.

Gal 5:7 Ye did run well; who did hinder you that ye should not obey the truth?

Paul is not talking about salvation

if not talking bout salvation then what is he taking about?

The prize is eternal life with Jesus in heaven but we don’t just stand on the sideline and watch, we run in the race what if we just stand on the sideline would we still be saved? or do we need to run to be saved?

Accept his gift by faith.I have accept his Gift of saving Grace by faith. I believe therefore I obey his will. Now if God said he will forgive your sins but you must confess it and repent would that be you working your way to heaven? or would that be a offer of Grace?

I would think it wise to learn what Grace is to understand the true meaning is to understand the true blessing

Your salvation is not tied to your actions, it is due to what Jesus went through for you.

In an absolute sense, you're right. We cannot buy our way into heaven with good works alone. But good works through and with Christ are meritorious. Take the parable of the sheep and goats in Matthew 25. The two groups are separated from heaven and hell--note carefully--not on the basis of faith but on the basis of the works they did.

There's a mystery here at the heart of salvation: somehow it depends completely on God, and yet God doesn't save us without our cooperation. The Scriptures indicate both, so rather than emphasize one to the detriment of the other, it's important to acknowledge both principles.

Right...Christ doesn’t need our help. But He *wants* our help. Huge difference!

If our cooperation is limited to just “believing” the Gospel, then why are the sheep and goats separated into heaven and hell based on whether they clothed the naked, fed the hungry, etc? And why does James chapter 2 repeatedly stress over and over that works are necessary for justification?

But we are getting farther afield...the point is that salvation does come solely from Christ but yet (mysteriously) requires our active participation. And as such, salvation can be lost if we do not show our faith by good works.

There are believers standing on the sidelines and there are believers running the race. If you are a believer, your are free to do either.

The prize is eternal life with Jesus in heaven but we don’t just stand on the sideline and watch, we run in the race

1Co 14:8 For if the trumpet give an uncertain sound, who shall prepare himself to the battle?

I was once like you all caught up in what I had been taught then I read God's word with a open mind only wanting to know his will.
Is hard to accept that some people so close to you are so wrong or that you may have taught others a lie. Don't let your pride cause you to lose your soul and maybe those you love the most. one of the main reasons I left those who taught once save always save goes back to Gen 3

Gen 3:3 But of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, God hath said, Ye shall not eat of it, neither shall ye touch it, lest ye die. Gen 3:4 And the serpent said unto the woman, Ye shall not surely die:

The doctrine of once save alway saved is found in the bible But look who is teaching it!

Now if God said he will forgive your sins but you must confess it and repent would that be you working your way to heaven? or would that be a offer of Grace?

Eph 1:7 In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;

Eph 1:13 In whom ye also [trusted], after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise,

Eph 2:8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: [it is] the gift of God:

Eph 2:9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.

Eph 2:10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.

Eph 2:11 ¶ Wherefore remember, that ye [being] in time past Gentiles in the flesh, who are called Uncircumcision by that which is called the Circumcision in the flesh made by hands;

Eph 2:12 That at that time ye were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope, and without God in the world:

Eph 2:13 But now in Christ Jesus ye who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ.

Eph 2:14 ¶ For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition [between us];

Eph 2:15 Having abolished in his flesh the enmity, [even] the law of commandments [contained] in ordinances; for to make in himself of twain one new man, [so] making peace;

Eph 2:16 And that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby:

Eph 2:17 And came and preached peace to you which were afar off, and to them that were nigh.

Eph 2:18 For through him we both have access by one Spirit unto the Father.

Eph 2:19 ¶ Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God;

You have perverted the gospel.

Gal 1:6 ¶ I marvel that ye are so soon removed from him that called you into the grace of Christ unto another gospel:

Gal 1:7 Which is not another; but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ.

Gal 1:8 But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel unto you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed.

When I realized that I was a sinner, I confessed to God that I believed he died for my sins, was buried, and rose again the third day to pay the penalty for my sins. When that happened, I repented (which means I changed of mind). I can’t keep myself saved because I didn’t do anything to be saved in the first place. Jesus showed us his love for us by dying for us. If you think you can lose your salvation, you never had it to begin with.

1Cr 1:18 ¶ For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God.

“When I realized that I was a sinner, I confessed to God that I believed he died for my sins, was buried, and rose again the third day to pay the penalty for my sins. When that happened, I repented”

“I realized”
“I confessed”
“I believed”
“I repented”

You didn’t do any of these ‘works’ of your own accord. Just as God hardened Pharaoh’s heart for His purpose, God softened yours and made you ‘realize, confess, believe, and repent’. Before He did that for you, you were at enmity with Him. At war if you will. Nothing in you was good. You were incapable of pleasing Him at all. Incapable of ‘realizing, confessing, believing, and repenting’. Your works were as filthy rags. It was the Holy Spirit who foreknew, predestined, called, justified, and glorified.

Even now, after salvation, to say that “I” have anything to do with keeping myself in the Father’s hand gives me something to boast about, doesn’t it? Na, Na, Nana, Na, I’m a good person! The Lord spits on the works of the flesh. It cheapens His work on the cross. It is the Holy Spirit working through me that you see doing good works.

I believe in salvation by faith, through the grace of God, through the works of the Holy Spirit. Any attempt to add to it myself says, “God, please move over on your throne of sovereignty so I can help you save me”.

“Now if God said he will forgive you this sin but you must confess it and repent would that be you working your way to heaven? or would that be a offer of Grace?”

Neither. Faulty premise.
God said He will forgive you because He will bring you to confession and repentance. That - is true grace, and mercy.
“I will have mercy on whom I have mercy”.

God said He will forgive you because He will bring you to confession and repentance. That - is true grace, and mercy

The New Testament is the True Grace

1Pe 5:12 By Silvanus, a faithful brother unto you, as I suppose, I have written briefly, exhorting, and testifying that this is the true grace of God wherein ye stand.

Act 20:32 And now, brethren, I commend you to God, and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up, and to give you an inheritance among all them which are sanctified.

Tit 2:11 -12 For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men, Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world.

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