Becky
What is the difference between Salvation and Eternal Life? How can one have Salvation but not have Eternal Life? Where would that “saved” person go if he did not have Eternal Life? If there is a difference, what are “Saved” from if from from Death unto Life?
Everybody:
Is Salvation(getting to Heaven) a work of God or a work of Man? If it is a work of Man then why did Christ have to die?
’[16]Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified. . . [21]I do not frustrate the grace of God: for if righteousness come by the law, then Christ is dead in vain.” – Ga 2:16,21
If it is a work of God then it will last forever.
”I know that, whatsoever God doeth, it shall be for ever: nothing can be put to it, nor anything taken from it: and god doeth it, that men should fear before him.” – Ecc 3:14
I think that we are thinking too linearly (is that a word?) about God and Salvation.
”That which hath been is now; and that which is to be hath already been; and god requireth that which is past” – Ecc 3:15
What are some of the attributes of God? For one He is Omnipotent, that is He is all-powerful, there is nothing mightier than He. He is also Omniscient, He is all-knowing, there is nothing that He does not know or that is hid from Him. He is also Omnipresent, He is all-present, there is nowhere you can go on earth or in Heaven where He would not be.
Finally, He is Omnitemporal (new word?) that is He is present at every moment of history past, present, and future. For God everything is a constant IS. He does not have to wait for anything to happen. There is no difference for Him. The moment of Creation, the Crucifixion, the Resurrection, the Rapture, the coming Kingdom, all are constant to Him, including the moment of our Salvation.
For us there was a time when we were not Saved and then a time when we were, we noticed a transition. For God there is no distinction, to Him either we are Saved or we are not. To Him there has not been a time when we were not His and then a time when we were His. We have always been His from the Foundation of the World.
If you are Saved and reading this post, did you know that you are in the Bible? Look at Re 19:1,
”And after these things I heard a great voice of much people in heaven, saying, Alleluia; Salvation, and glory, and honour, and power, unto the Lord our God:” – Re 19:1
Those much people, are us!
Well, those are my thoughts. That is how I understand God and Salvation. Taking God’s Nature into account I don’t know how Salvation(Eternal Life) can be anything other than secure.
-ksen