Salvation

QUESTIONS TO CONSIDER:

• By what means are men saved?

• How can God justly forgive condemned people?

• To whom does God offer and give salvation?

• How can a person receive God’s grace, mercy, forgiveness of their sins, justification, salvation from hell, eternal life, become acceptable in God’s eyes, become children of God, partake of the tree of life etc.?

• Is salvation by faith alone, or are their additional conditions and/or pre-requisites?

• Does God judge man according to their deeds?

VIEWS TO CONSIDER:

• NON-LDS CHRISTIAN VIEWS: Here below are various views that have relatively large followings amongst Christians in the world:

  • 1. Protestant/Evangelical (Arminian).: Salvation is by grace alone and is based on the sole condition of faith in Christ alone (not according to our deeds in any sense), though works will be a fruit of genuine saving faith. Christ died for the sins of all of mankind, and all of mankind is given the ability to respond either negatively or positively to God’s offer. All those without faith will be cast out to an eternity in hell.

  • 2. Protestant/Evangelical (Reformed Theology/Calvinism): God (without pre-requisite or conditions) chooses those whom He will save and changes their hearts which causes the fruits of both faith and good works in their lives. In this view, Christ only died for the sins of the few predestined elect, not for every person on earth. All those without faith will be cast out to an eternity in hell.

  • 3. Roman Catholicism/Eastern Orthodox: Salvation is by grace and is given to man according both to one's faith in Christ as well as one's deeds/obedience in life (including the reception of various ordinances etc.) Christ died for the sins of all of mankind, and all of mankind is given the ability to respond either negatively or positively to God’s offer. All those without faith will be cast out to an eternity in hell.

• LATTER DAY SAINT VIEW: In LDS theology, there are levels of salvation. The level that one receives is directly dependent upon one's level of faith in Christ and deeds/obedience in life (including the reception of various ordinances etc.) Christ died for the sins of all of mankind, and all of mankind is given the ability to respond either negatively or positively to God’s offer. All of mankind is given the ability to respond both negatively or positively to God’s invitation to come to him and be saved. While all those that do not choose faith in Christ will experience hell for a period of time, in the end, virtually all of those will eventually be redeemed from hell and given some level of heaven based on the good that they did choose.

CONTENTS

HOW CAN GOD JUSTLY OFFER SALVATION TO MANKIND?

• Grace

• Vicarious sacrifice / Blood of Jesus Christ

• Justice satisfied / Payment for sin made in full

PASSAGES THAT SPEAK OF TYPES OF UNIVERSAL SALVATION:

• Forms of universal salvation (of physical death etc.)

CONDITIONS FOR / EVIDENCES OF / PRE-REQUISITES TO ETERNAL LIFE:

• "According to..."

• Abraham: How was he justified?

• Answers to "How to obtain eternal life?" questions

• Confess sins

• Dedicate all to the Lord

• Diligence

• Doctrine of Christ, abide in

• Endure / faithfulness to the end

• Endure persecutions / afflictions well

• Faith / belief in Jesus Christ and God

• Fear God

• Forgive others

• Gift/ free gift

• Give to / help the poor

• Good works / live and walk uprightly

• Heart, upright / contrite / broken / perfect

• Holiness

• Holy Ghost, gift of

• Hope

• Humble / submit to God

• If-then (or similar conditional or qualifying) promises

• Judge not

• Keep covenants

• Know God

• Law of Moses (circumcision etc.) is replaced by keeping the commandments & moral law

• Love God and Christ

• Love our neighbor / Love others

• Love truth

• Merciful

• Obey / Keep / Do God’s commandments

• Ordinances: Baptism

• Ordinances: Lord’s Supper / Sacrament

• Overcome

• Patience

• Pray to God

• Prove yourself / test

• Repent of / Forsake / Avoid sin

• Scripture, let yourself be guided by

• Seek God

• Seek Good

• Serve God

• Sincerely

• Truth

• Turn away (do not turn away from God)

• Will of God / Election

• Willingness

• With all our heart

• Words / speak truth

• Not by confessing alone

• Not by faith / belief alone

• Not by law / Law of Moses / Good works alone

GRACE: No fallen man can earn, merit or deserve salvation since no fallen man can live perfectly. Therefore, if a man is given salvation from God, then it is an unearned gift of grace. While can cannot of themselves earn eternal life, they can qualify for it (according to God's promise of grace) by meeting doable conditions that God, in His sovereignty, has decreed as recorded in scripture (ex. humility, repentance, faith, following Christ "with all our heart" etc.)

• 2 Cor. 3:5 Not that we are sufficient of ourselves… but our sufficiency is of God

• 2 Tim. 1:8-9 God… hath saved us., and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His eternal purpose and grace which was given us in Christ

• Acts 15:11 Through the grace of the Lord Jesus, we shall be saved

• Eph. 1:6-7 To the praise of… his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted

• Eph. 1:7 In [Jesus] we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the richness of his grace

• Eph. 2:5 By grace are ye saved

• Eph. 2:8 By grace are ye saved… not of yourselves; it is a gift of God

• Matt 19:26 With men this (gaining eternal life) is impossible; but with God all things are possible

• Rom 3:23-24 All have sinned, being justified freely by his grace through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus

• Rom 5:14-15 [Adam]… is the figure of him who is to come. But not as the offence, so also is the free gift. For if through the offense of one many be dead, much more the grace of God, and the gift of grace, which is by one man, Jesus Christ, hath abounded unto many

• Rom 5:19 By the obedience of one shall many be made righteous

• Rom. 11:5-6 Even so then at this present time also there is a remnant according to the election of grace. And if by grace, then is it no more of works: otherwise grace is no more grace. But if it be of works, then is it no more grace: otherwise work is no more work

• Rom. 5:17 For if by one man’s offence death reigned by one: much more they which received abundance of grace and the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ

• Rom. 5:21 As sin hath reigned unto death, even so might grace reign through righteousness unto eternal life by Jesus Christ

• Titus 2:11 The grace of God… bringeth salvation

• Titus 3:7 According to his mercy he saved us… being justified by grace

VICARIOUS SACRIFICE / BLOOD OF JESUS CHRIST:

• 1 John 1:7 The blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin

• 1 Peter 1:18-19 Ye were… redeemed… with the precious blood of Christ

• Col. 1:13-14 [The] Son, in whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins

• Heb. 10:10 We are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all

• Heb. 13:12 Wherefore Jesus also, that he might sanctify the people with his own blood, suffered

• Lev. 17:11 For the life of the flesh is in the blood: and I have given it to you upon the altar to make an atonement for your souls: for it is the blood that maketh an atonement for the soul

• Rev. 7:13-14 These which are arrayed in white robes… these are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb

• Rom. 5:8-11 Christ died for us…being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him… we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son… being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life. And not only so, but we also joy in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom we have now received the atonement

• Rom. 6:23 The wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord

• Rom. 9:16 It is not of him that willeth, nor of him that runneth, but of God that sheweth mercy

• Titus 3:4-6 God according to his mercy he saved us

JUSTICE SATISFIED / PAYMENT OF SIN MADE IN FULL:

• 1 John 1:7 Blood of Jesus … cleanseth us from all sin

• 1 John 2:2 He is the propitiation for our sins

• 1 John 4:10 God… sent his Son to be the propitiation for our sins

• 1 Peter 2:21 Christ also suffered for us

• 1 Peter 2:24 His own self bare our sins

• 2 Cor. 5:18 all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation

• 2 Cor. 5:19 God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself

• Col. 1:20-21 And, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven, And you, that were sometime alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now hath he reconciled, In the body of his flesh through death, to present you holy and unblameable and unreproveable in his sight

• Eph. 2:15-16 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, And that he might reconcile both unto God in one body by the cross, having slain the enmity thereby

• Heb. 2:9 That he … should taste death for every man

• Heb. 9:28 Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many

• Isa. 53:6 Lord hath laid on him the iniquity of us all

• John 6:51 My flesh, which I will give for the life of the world

• Lev. 17:11 For the life of the flesh is in the blood: and I have given it to you upon the altar to make an atonement for your souls: for it is the blood that maketh an atonement for the soul

• Luke 22:19 My body which is given for you

• Matt. 8:17 Himself took our infirmities, and bare our sicknesses

• Matt. 20:28 Son of man came … to give his life a ransom

• Matt. 26:28 My blood … shed for many for the remission of sins

• Rom. 3:25 Whom God hath set forth to be a propitiation

• Rom. 5:9-10 Being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him, For if, when we were enemies, we were reconciled to God by the death of his Son, much more, being reconciled, we shall be saved by his life

• Rom. 5:11 Christ, by whom we have now received the atonement

PASSAGES THAT SPEAK OF TYPES OF UNIVERSAL SALVATION: Some passages speak of types of universal salvation. The universal salvation from death (physical resurrection of all mankind) is one example. Since physical death is a direct effect of the fall of man into sin, the granting (by God, through Christ) of the restoration of body and spirit forever is a type of salvation. Some passages may also suggest an eventual salvation of all of mankind from hell, Jesus having “the keys of death and hell“.

• 1 Cor. 15:20-22 But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept. For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead. For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive

• 1 Timothy 4:10 For therefore we both labour and suffer reproach, because we trust in the living God, who is the Saviour of all men, specially of those that believe (Note: This passage suggests that there are levels of salvation, a lower level which has no conditions since it applies to all, and a higher level which has at least the condition of belief in God and His Savior)

• 2 Cor. 5:15 He died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto him which died for them, and rose again.

• 2 Cor. 5:14 For the love of Christ constraineth us; because we thus judge, that if one died for all, then were all dead

• Acts 15:24 And have hope toward God, which they themselves also allow, that there shall be a resurrection of the dead, both of the just and unjust.

• John 5:28-29 Marvel not at this: for the hour is coming, in the which all that are in the graves shall hear his voice, And shall come forth; they that have done good, unto the resurrection of life; and they that have done evil, unto the resurrection of damnation.

Note: Certain passages are highlighted in GREEN. for my own purposes (they are those that seem to show more clearly that salvation is not received by faith alone, but by how we choose to live as well).

"ACCORDING TO..."

• 1 Kings 8:39 Then hear thou in heaven thy dwelling place, and forgive, and do, and give to every man according to his ways

• 1 Peter 1:17 The Father, without respect of persons, judgeth according to every man’s work

• 2 Chron. 6:30 Then hear thou from heaven thy dwelling place, and forgive, and render unto every man according unto all his ways

• 2 Cor 5:9 We labor, that… we may be accepted of Him. For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that everyone may receive the things done in the body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad

• 2 Cor. 8:9-12 Now therefore perform the doing of it; that as there was a readiness to will, so there may be a performance also out of that which ye have, For if there be first a willing mind, it is accepted according to that a man hath, and not according to that he hath not.

• 2 Tim. 1:8-9 God… hath saved us., and called us with an holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His eternal purpose and grace which was given us in Christ

• Eph. 1:7 In [Jesus] we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the richness of his grace

• Jeremiah 17:10, 14 I the Lord search the heart, I try the reins, even to give every man according to his ways, and according to the fruit of his doings… Heal me, O Lord, and I shall be healed; save me, and I shall be saved

• Ps 7:8 Judge me according to my righteousness

• Ps 62:12 Unto thee, O Lord, belongeth mercy; for thou renderest to every man according to his work.

• Rom 2:5-8 God… will render to every man according to his deeds. To them who by patient continuance in well doing seek for glory and honor and immortality, eternal life. But unto them that are contentious, and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, indignation and wrath

• Rom. 11:5-6 Even so then at this present time also there is a remnant according to the election of grace.

• Titus 3:7 According to his mercy he saved us… being justified by grace

• Rev. 2:20-23 Thou suffers that woman Jezebel… to teach and to seduce my servants to commit fornication… and I gave her a space to repent of her fornication, and she repented not. Behold, I will cast her into a bed, and them that commit adultery with her into great tribulation, except they repent of their deeds… and I will give unto every one according to your works

• Rev. 20:12-13 And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works. And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works.

ABRAHAM: HOW WAS HE JUSTIFIED?

• Gal. 3:6-11 Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness… God would justify the heathen through faith… the just shall live by faith.

• Gen. 15:4-6 And, behold, the word of the Lord came unto him, saying, This shall not be thine heir; but he that shall come forth out of thine own bowels shall be thine heir. And he brought him forth abroad, and said, Look now toward heaven, and tell the stars, if thou be able to number them: and he said unto him, So shall thy seed be. And he believed in the Lord; and he counted it to him for righteousness.

• Heb. 6:13-15 God made promises to Abraham… so,after he (Abraham) had patiently endured, he obtained the promise

• James 2:21-26 Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar? Faith wrought with [Abraham’s] works and by works was faith made perfect… By works a man is justified, and not by faith alone… As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.

• Rom. 4:2-3 For if Abraham were justified by works, he hath whereof to glory; but not before God. For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness.

• Rom. 4:9 Faith was reckoned to Abraham for righteousness

ACCEPT CHRIST'S CHOSEN SERVANTS:

• John 5:46-47 For had ye believed Moses, ye would have believed me: for he wrote of me. But if ye believe not his writings, how shall ye believe my words?

• Luke 10:16 He that heareth you heareth me; and he that despiseth you despiseth me; and he that despiseth me despiseth him that sent me.

• Matt. 10:40 He that receiveth you receiveth me, and he that receiveth me receiveth him that sent me.

• Rom. 13:1-2 Let every man be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God; the power that be ordained of God…. they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation

ANSWERS TO "HOW TO OBTAIN ETERNAL LIFE?" QUESTIONS:

• Luke 10:28 Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life? [Jesus] said unto him, What is written in the law? how readest thou? And he answering said, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbor as thyself. And he said unto him, Thou hast answered right: this do, and thou shalt live… (Man:) And who is my neighbor?… (Jesus gives the Good Samaritan story and commands:) Go, and do thou likewise

• Matt 19:16-21 Good Master, what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life? (Jesus:) If thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments. He saith unto him, Which? Jesus said, Thou shalt do no murder, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness, Honour thy father and thy mother: and, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. The young man saith unto him, All these things have I kept from my youth up: what lack I yet? Jesus said unto him, If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow me. But when the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful: for he had great possessions. Then said Jesus unto his disciples, Verily I say unto you, That a rich man shall hardly enter into the kingdom of heaven. And again I say unto you, It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God. When his disciples heard it, they were exceedingly amazed, saying, Who then can be saved? But Jesus beheld them, and said unto them, With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible. Then answered Peter and said unto him, Behold, we have forsaken all, and followed thee; what shall we have therefore? And Jesus said unto them, Verily I say unto you, That ye which have followed me, in the regeneration when the Son of man shall sit in the throne of his glory, ye also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. And every one that hath forsaken houses, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my name’s sake, shall receive an hundredfold, and shall inherit everlasting life.

CONFESS SINS:

• 1 John 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness

• 1 John 4:15 Whosoever shall confess that Jesus is the Son of God, God dwelleth in him, and he in God

• 1 Peter 1:17 The Father, without respect of persons, judgeth according to every man’s work

• Matt. 10:32 Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven

• Prov 28:13 Whoso confesseth and forsaketh [their sins] shall have mercy

• Rom. 10:9 If thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved (confess and believe)

• Rom. 3:4 Let God be true, but every man a liar; as it is written. That though mightiest be justified in thy sayings, and mightiest overcome when thou art judged

DEDICATE ALL TO THE LORD:

• Mark 10:30-31 And Jesus answered and said, Verily I say unto you, There is no man that hath left house, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my sake, and the gospel’s, but he shall receive… eternal life

DILIGENCE:

• 2 Peter 1:10 Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall

• Peter 3:14 Be diligent that ye may be found of him in peace, without spot, and blameless

• Heb. 6:11 We desire that every one of you do shew the same diligence to the full assurance of hope unto the end, That ye be not slothful, but followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises

DOCTRINE OF CHRIST, ABIDE IN:

• 2 John 1:9 Whosoever transgresseth and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ hath not God. He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son

ENDURE PERSECUTIONS/AFFLICTIONS WELL:

• 2 Cor. 1:6 And whether we be afflicted, it is for your consolation and salvation, which is effectual in the enduring of the same sufferings which we also suffer: or whether we be comforted, it is for your consolation and salvation

• 2 Thess. 1:4-5 We ourselves glory in you… for your patience and faith in all your persecutions and tribulations and that ye endure, which is a manifest token of the righteous judgment of God, that ye may be counted worthy of the kingdom of God, for which ye also suffer

• Col. 1:22 Yet now, hath [Jesus] reconciled. In the body of his flesh through death, to present you holy and unblameable… in his sight: if ye continue in the faith grounded and settled and be not moved away from the hope of the gospel, which ye have heard

• Rom. 8:16-17 We are the children of God. If children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together

ENDURE / FAITHFULNESS TO THE END:

• 2 Tim. 4:7-8 I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: henceforth, there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness

• Heb. 3:14 We are made partakers of Christ, if we hold the beginning of our confidence steadfast unto the end

• Heb. 3:6 Christ… whose house are we, if we hold fast the confidence and the rejoicing of the hope firm unto the end

• Heb. 6:4 – 12 For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost, And have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come, If they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame… But, beloved, we are persuaded better things of you, and things that accompany salvation, though we thus speak… And we desire that every one of you do shew the same diligence to the full assurance of hope unto the end, That ye be not slothful, but followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises.

• Heb. 6:13-15 God made promises to Abraham… so, after he (Abraham) had patiently endured, he obtained the promise

• Matt. 10:20 He that endureth to the end shall be saved

• Rev. 2:10 Be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life

• Rom. 11: 20-22 Because of their unbelieveth they were broken off, and though standest by faith> Be not highminded, but fear: For if God speared not the natural branches, take heed lest he also spare not thee…. on them which fell, severity. But toward thee, goodness, if though continue in his goodness; otherwise though shalt be cut off

FAITH OR BELIEF IN JESUS CHRISTAND IN GOD:

• 1 Peter 1:5 Kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation

• 2 Thess. 2:11 That they might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness

• Acts 16:30-31 Sirs, what must I do to be saved? And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved and thy house

• Eph. 1:13 After that ye believed, ye were sealed with the holy Spirit of promise

• Eph. 2:8 By grace are ye saved, through faith

• Gal 3:11 But that no man is justified by the law in the sight of God, it is evident: for, The just shall live by faith

• Gal. 2:16 We, having believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ

• Gal. 3:22 The scripture hath concluded all under sin, that the promise by faith of Jesus Christ might be given to them that believe

• Gal. 3:24-26 The law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith. But after the faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster. For ye are all the children of God by faith in Christ Jesus

• Gal. 3:6-11 Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness… God would justify the heathen through faith… the just shall live by faith.

• Gal. 4:5 We through the Spirit wait for the hope of righteousness by faith

• Heb. 10:39 We are… of them that believe to the saving of the soul

• Heb. 11:7 Noah… became heir of the righteousness which is by faith

• Heb. 4:1-2 Let us therefore fear, lest a promise being left of entering into his rest, any of you should seem to come short of it. For unto us was the gospel preached, as well as unto them; but the word preached did not profit them, not being mixed with faith In them that heard it

• John 3:16 Whosoever believeth in [Christ] should not perish, but have everlasting life

• Luke 18:42 And Jesus said unto him, Receive thy sight: thy faith hath saved thee

• Luke 7:50 And he said to the woman, Thy faith hath saved thee; go in peace

• Philippians 3:8-9 That I may win Christ, and be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith

• Rev 3:20 Behold, I stand at the door, and knock. If any man hear my voice and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me

• Rev. 14:12 Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus. And I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me: Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord… their works do follow them.

• Rom 4:13 The promise, that he should be the heir of the world, was not to Abraham, or to his see, through the law, but through the righteousness of faith

• Rom. 1:16 For The gospel of Christ… is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth

• Rom. 10:9-10 That if thou shalt… believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness

• Rom. 3:22 The righteousness of God… is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon them that believe

• Rom. 3:27 Where is boasting, then? It is excluded. By what law?… by the law of faith

• Rom. 3:28 A man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law (Note: In context, the “law” here refers to the Law of Moses, circumcision, etc.)

• Rom. 3:28-30 Man is justified by faith

• Rom. 3:30 It is one God which shall justify… through faith

• Rom. 4:11 And he received… a seal of the righteousness of the faith which he had

• Rom. 4:16 Therefore it is of faith, that it might be by grace

• Rom. 4:2- If Abraham were justified by works, he hath whereof to glory; but not before God. For what saith the scriptures? Abraham believed God, and it was counted for righteousness… But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness

• Rom. 4:22 It was imputed to [Abraham] for righteousness. Now it was not written for his sake alone… but for us also… if we believe on him that raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead

• Rom. 4:9 Faith was reckoned to Abraham for righteousness

• Rom. 5:1 Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom also we have access to faith into his grace wherein we stand

FEAR GOD:

• Acts 10:34-35 God is no respecter of persons, but in every nation, he that feareth him AND worketh righteousness is accepted of him.

• Eccl 12:13-14 Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man. For God shall bring every work into judgment… whether it be good or whether it be evil

• Ps. 103:17-18 The mercy of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting upon them that fear him, and his righteousness unto children’s children, To such as keep his covenant, and to those that remember his commandments to do them

FORGIVE OTHERS:

• James 5:9 Grudge not one against another, brethren, lest ye be condemned. Behold, the judge standeth before the door

• Matt. 6:12-15 And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors… For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.

• Matt. 18:35 So likewise shall my heavenly Father do also unto you (require of you the payment for your sins), if ye from your hearts forgive not every one his brother their trespasses

GIFT / FREE GIFT: The natural price to inherit eternal life is to live perfectly. Since fallen man is unable to do this (and since we cannot of ourselves cleanse ourselves of our sins), we simply cannot earn eternal life ourselves and therefore anyone who receives eternal life is truly receiving a gift, even a free gift, since they did not pay the price. God has chosen to give the free gift of immortality to everyone, but the free gift of eternal life to offered to all man on certain conditions which include broken heart, faith, repentance, striving to obey God “with all their heart” etc. Man can qualify for the gift of eternal life by meeting those conditions, but eternal life is still a gift since the we did not pay the payment of perfection, nor did we pay for our sins, both payment being made in full by Jesus.

• 2 Cor. 9:15 Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift

• Acts 11:17 God gave them the like gift as he did unto us, who believed on the Lord Jesus Christ; what was I, that I could withstand God? When they heard these things, they held their peace, and glorified God, saying, Then hath God also to the Gentiles granted repentance unto life

• Heb. 6:4 Those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost

• John 4:10 If thou knewest the gift of God, and who it is that saith to thee, Give me to drink; thou wouldest have asked of him, and he would have given thee living water

• Rom. 5:14-18 Death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over them that had not sinned after the similitude of Adam’s transgression, who is the figure of him that was to come. But not as the offence, so also is the free gift. For if through the offence of one many be dead, much more the grace of God, and the gift by grace, which is by one man, Jesus Christ, hath abounded unto many. And not as it was by one that sinned, so is the gift: for the judgment was by one to condemnation, but the free gift is of many offences unto justification, For if by one man’s offence death reigned by one; much more they which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ.) Therefore as by the offence of one judgment came upon all men to condemnation; even so by the righteousness of one the free gift came upon all men unto justification of life.

• Rom. 6:23 For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord

GIVE TO / HELP THE POOR:

• Dan 4:27 Break off sins by righteousness, and thine iniquities by shewing mercy to the poor

• Matt 19:16-21 Good Master, what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life? (Jesus:) If thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments… go and sell that thou hast and give to poor… and come follow me

• Matt. 25:31-46 (Parable of Sheep and Goats) Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world, for [one of the least of these my brethren] was an hungred, and ye gave [him] meat… Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels: For (one of the least of these my brethren] was an hungred, and ye gave [him] no meat: [he] was thirsty, and ye gave [him]no drink. And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal

GOOD WORKS / LIVE & WALK UPRIGHTLY:

• 1 John 2:29 If ye know that he is righteous, ye know that every one that doeth righteousness is born of him.

• 1 Kings 8:39 Then hear thou in heaven thy dwelling place, and forgive, and do, and give to every man according to his ways

• 1 Peter 1:17 The Father, without respect of persons, judgeth according to every man’s work

• 1 Peter 4:8 Charity shall cover a multitude of sins

• 1 Tim 4:11-16 Continue in them (charity, good works, exhortation to others etc), for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself and them that hear thee

• 1 Tim 6:11-12 Flee [sin] and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, patience….fight the good fight, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession

• 1 Tim 6:17-19 Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy; That they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate; Laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life.

• 2 Cor 5:9 We labor, that… we may be accepted of Him. For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that everyone may receive the things done in the body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad

• 2 Chron. 6:30 Then hear thou from heaven thy dwelling place, and forgive, and render unto every man according unto all his ways

• 2 Thess. 2:16 Now our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God, even our Father, which hath given us… good hope through grace. Comfort your hearts, and establish you in every good word and work

• Acts 10:34-35 God is no respecter of persons, but in every nation, he that feareth him AND worketh righteousness is accepted of him.

• Dan 4:27 Break off sins by righteousness, and thine iniquities by shewing mercy to the poor

• Gen 4:6-7 And the LORD said unto Cain, Why art thou wroth? … if thou doest well, shalt thou not be accepted?

• Heb 12:14 Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord

• James 2:17-20 Faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone… faith without works is dead

• James 2:21 Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar?

• James 2:22 Faith wrought with [Abraham’s] works and by works was faith made perfect

• James 2:24 By works a man is justified, and not by faith alone

• James 2:26 As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.

• Jeremiah 17:10, 14 I the Lord search the heart, I try the reins, even to give every man according to his ways, and according to the fruit of his doings… Heal me, O Lord, and I shall be healed; save me, and I shall be saved

• John 2:16-17 He that doeth the will of the Father abideth forever

• Luke 12:43-46 Blessed is that servant, whom his lord when he cometh shall find so doing (being a faithful and wise steward). Of a truth I say unto you, that he will make him over all that he hath. But and if that servant say in his heart, My lord delayeth his coming; and shall begin to beat the menservants and maidens and to eat and drink, and to be drunken. The lord of that servant will come in a day when he looketh not for him, and at an hour when he is not aware, and will cut him in sunder

• Matt 19:16-21 Good Master, what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life? (Jesus:) If thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments… go and sell that thou hast and give to poor… and come follow me

• Matt 7:21 Not everyone that saith unto me, Lord Lord shall enter into the Kingdom of heaven, but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.

• Matt. 24:44-47 Be ye also ready: for in such an hour as ye think not the Son of man cometh. Who then is a faithful and wise servant, whom his lord hath made ruler over his household, to give them meat in due season? Blessed is that servant, whom his lord when he cometh shall find so doing. Verily I say unto you, That he shall make him ruler over all his goods.

• Matt. 25: 14-30 (Parable of the Talents) For the kingdom of heaven is as a man travelling into a far country, who called his own servants, and delivered unto them his goods… Well done thou good and faithful servant… enter into the joy of thy Lord… and (He) cast ye the unprofitable servant into outer darkness (Note: In this parable, it is the labor that determines if the servants would enter in with the Lord or be cast out)

• Matt. 25:31-46 (Parable of Sheep and Goats) Come, ye blessed of my Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world, for [one of the least of these my brethren] was an hungred, and ye gave [him] meat… Then shall he say also unto them on the left hand, Depart from me, ye cursed, into everlasting fire, prepared for the devil and his angels: For (one of the least of these my brethren] was an hungred, and ye gave [him] no meat: [he] was thirsty, and ye gave [him]no drink. And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal

• Micah 6:7-8 Will the Lord be pleased with thousands of rams, or with ten thousands of rivers of oil? shall I give my firstborn for my transgression, the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul? He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the Lord require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?

• Prov 16:17 He that keepeth his way preserveth his soul

• Prov. 10:16 The labor of the righteous tendeth to life

• Prov. 11:19 Righteousness tendeth to life

• Prov. 12:28 In the way of righteousness is life

• Prov. 13:6 Righteousness keepeth the upright in the way

• Prov. 21:21 He that followeth after righteousness & mercy findeth life

• Prov. 28:18 Whoso walketh uprightly shall be saved; but he that is perverse in his ways shall fall at once (chapter does not appear to be speaking of salvation, but more about living wisely. This passage may not be speaking of salvation)

• Ps 15:1-2 Lord, who shall abide in thy tabernacle? Who shall dwell in thy holy hill? He that walketh uprightly, and worketh righteousness, and speaketh the truth in his heart. He that backbiteth not with his tongue, nor doeth evil to his neighbor, nor taketh up a reproach against his neighbor… he that putteth not his money to usury, nor taketh reward against the innocent.

• Ps 26:1-2 Judge me, O Lord, for I have walked in mine integrity; I have trusted also in the Lord.

• Ps 37:27 Depart evil and do good and dwell forevermore

• Ps 62:12 Unto thee, O Lord, belongeth mercy; for thou renderest to every man according to his work.

• Ps 7:8 Judge me according to my righteousness

• Ps 84:11 The Lord will give grace and glory; no good thing will be withheld from them that walk uprightly.

• Ps. 140:13 Surely the righteous shall give thanks unto thy name; the upright shall dwell in thy presence

• Rev. 2:4 I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love. Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent… To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life

• Rev. 20:12-13 And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works. And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works.

• Rev. 22:7, 11-12 Behold, I come quickly: blessed is he that keepeth the sayings of the prophecy of this book…. He that is unjust, let him be unjust still: and he which is filthy, let him be filthy still: and he that is righteous, let him be righteous still, and he that is holy, let him by holy still. And, behold, I come quickly, and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be… 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. For without are dogs, and sorcerers, and whoremongers, and murderers, and idolaters, and whosever maketh a lie. I Jesus have sent mine angel to testify unto you these things in the churches.

• Rom 2:5-8 God… will render to every man according to his deeds. To them who by patient continuance in well doing seek for glory and honor and immortality, eternal life. But unto them that are contentious, and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, indignation and wrath

• Rom. 8:1,13 There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit… brethren… if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live

HEART, UPRIGHT / CONTRITE / BROKEN / PERFECT:

• 1 Chron. 28:9 Solomon my son, know thou the God of thy father, and serve him with a perfect heart and with a willing mind: for the Lord searcheth all hearts, and understandeth all the imaginations of the thoughts: if thou seek him, he will be found of thee; but if thou forsake him, he will cast thee off for ever

• 1 Kings 3:6 And Solomon said, Thou hast shewed unto thy servant David my father great mercy, according as he walked before thee in truth, and in righteousness, and in uprightness of heart with thee

• 1 Kings 8:39 Then hear thou in heaven thy dwelling place, and forgive, and do, and give to every man according to his ways, whose heart thou knowest; (for thou, even thou only, knowest the hearts of all the children of men;)

• 2 Chron. 6:30 Then hear thou from heaven thy dwelling place, and forgive, and render unto every man according unto all his ways, , whose heart thou knowest; (for thou only knowest the hearts of the children of men:)

• Ezek: 18:31

• Ps. 7:9-10 The righteous God trieth the hearts and reins. My defense is of God, which saveth the upright in heart

• Ps. 34:18 Lord saves such as be of a contrite heart

• Ps. 147:3 He heals the broken in heart, and binds up their wounds

• Isa. 57:15 I dwell in the high and holy place, with him also that is of a contrite and humble spirit, to revive the spirit of the humble, and to revive the heart of the contrite ones

• Isa. 66:2 To this man will I look, even to him that is poor and of a contrite spirit, and trembles at my word.

• Jeremiah 17:10, 14 I the Lord search the heart, I try the reins, even to give every man according to his ways, and according to the fruit of his doings… Heal me, O Lord, and I shall be healed; save me, and I shall be saved

• Matt. 5:8 Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.

HOLINESS:

• Heb. 12:14-29 Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord: Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled; Lest there be any fornicator, or profane person, as Esau, who for one morsel of meat sold his birthright. For ye know how that afterward, when he would have inherited the blessing, he was rejected: for he found no place of repentance, though he sought it carefully with tears. For ye are not come unto the mount that might be touched, and that burned with fire, nor unto blackness, and darkness, and tempest, And the sound of a trumpet, and the voice of words; which voice they that heard entreated that the word should not be spoken to them any more: (For they could not endure that which was commanded, And if so much as a beast touch the mountain, it shall be stoned, or thrust through with a dart: And so terrible was the sight, that Moses said, I exceedingly fear and quake:) But ye are come unto mount Sion, and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to an innumerable company of angels, To the general assembly and church of the firstborn, which are written in heaven, and to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect, And to Jesus the mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling, that speaketh better things than that of Abel. See that ye refuse not him that speaketh. For if they escaped not who refused him that spake on earth, much more shall not we escape, if we turn away from him that speaketh from heaven: Whose voice then shook the earth: but now he hath promised, saying, Yet once more I shake not the earth only, but also heaven. And this word, Yet once more, signifieth the removing of those things that are shaken, as of things that are made, that those things which cannot be shaken may remain. Wherefore we receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved, let us have grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear: For our God is a consuming fire.

HOLY GHOST, GIFT OF:

• Acts 2:28 , and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. (Note: The Holy Ghost is presented in scripture as a sanctifier, a gift needed in order to be saved)

HOPE:

• Rom. 8:24 We are saved by hope; but that is seen is not hope; for what a man seeth, why doth he yet hope for?

HUMBLE / SUMBIT TO GOD:

• 2 Chronicles 7:14 If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will I forgive their sin

• Micah 6:7-8 Will the Lord be pleased with thousands of rams, or with ten thousands of rivers of oil? shall I give my firstborn for my transgression, the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul? He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the Lord require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?

• James 4:6 God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace to the humble. Submit yourselves therefore unto God

• Prov. 3:34 The LORD… giveth grace to the lowly

IF-THEN (OR SIMILAR CONDITIONAL/QUALIFYING) PROMISES:

• 1 Chron. 28:9 Solomon my son, know thou the God of thy father, and serve him with a perfect heart and with a willing mind: for the Lord searcheth all hearts, and understandeth all the imaginations of the thoughts: if thou seek him, he will be found of thee; but if thou forsake him, he will cast thee off for ever

• 1 John 1:6-7 If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in the darkness, we lie, and do not the truth: But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ… cleanseth us from all sin

• 1 John 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness

• 2 Chronicles 7:14 If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will I forgive their sin

• 2 Cor 6:17 Touch not the unclean thing, and I will receive you.

• 2 Cor. 8:9-12 Now therefore perform the doing of it; that as there was a readiness to will, so there may be a performance also out of that which ye have, For if there be first a willing mind, it is accepted according to that a man hath, and not according to that he hath not.

• 2 Peter 1:10 Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall

• Acts 17:24-27 God hath made the world… and hath made of one blood all nations of men for to dwell… that they should seek the Lord, if haply they might feel after him and find him

• Col. 1:22 Yet now, hath [Jesus] reconciled. In the body of his flesh through death, to present you holy and unblameable… in his sight: if ye continue in the faith grounded and settled and be not moved away from the hope of the gospel, which ye have heard

• Deut. 4:29 But if from thence thou shalt seek the Lord thy God, thou shalt find him, if thou seek him with all thy heart and with all thy soul.

• Deut. 7:12-13 Wherefore it shall come to pass, if ye hearken to these judgments, and keep, and do them, that the Lord thy God shall keep unto thee the covenant and the mercy which he sware unto thy fathers, And he will love thee, and bless thee, and multiply thee: he will also bless the fruit of thy womb, and the fruit of thy land, thy corn, and thy wine, and thine oil, the increase of thy kine, and the flocks of thy sheep, in the land which he sware unto thy fathers to give thee

• Ezek 3:20-21 If thou warn [a] righteous man, that the righteous sin not, and he doth not sin, he shall surely live, because he is warned; also thou hast delivered thy soul

• Ezek 18:5-9 If a man be just and do that which is lawful… and hath kept my judgments and deal truly; he is just, he shall surely live, saith the Lord God

• Gen 4:6-7 And the LORD said unto Cain, Why art thou wroth? … if thou doest well, shalt thou not be accepted?

• Heb. 3:6 Christ… whose house are we, if we hold fast the confidence and the rejoicing of the hope firm unto the end

• Heb. 3:14 We are made partakers of Christ, if we hold the beginning of our confidence steadfast unto the end

• Jer. 36:3 It may be that the house of Judah will hear all the evil which I purpose to do unto them; that they may return every man from his evil way; that I may forgive their iniquity and their sin.

• John 8:52 If a man keep my saying, he shall never taste of death

• John 15:10 If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father’s commandments, and abide in his love.

• Matt. 6:12-15 And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors… For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.

• Matt. 18:35 So likewise shall my heavenly Father do also unto you (require of you the payment for your sins), if ye from your hearts forgive not every one his brother their trespasses

• Matt 19:16-21 Good Master, what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life? (Jesus:) If thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments… go and sell that thou hast and give to poor… and come follow me

• Ps. 132:2 If thy children will keep my covenant and my testimony that I shall teach them, their children shall also sit upon thy throne for evermore

• Rev 3:20 Behold, I stand at the door, and knock. If any man hear my voice and open the door, I will come in to him, and will sup with him, and he with me

• Rom. 4:2- If Abraham were justified by works, he hath whereof to glory; but not before God. For what saith the scriptures? Abraham believed God, and it was counted for righteousness… But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness

• Rom. 4:22 It was imputed to [Abraham] for righteousness. Now it was not written for his sake alone… but for us also… if we believe on him that raised up Jesus our Lord from the dead

• Rom. 6:2-5 Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized unto Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death… For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection

• Rom. 8:1,13 There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit… brethren… if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live

• Rom. 8:16-17 We are the children of God. If children, then heirs; heirs of God, and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may be also glorified together

• Rom. 10:9 If thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved (confess and believe)

• Rom. 11: 20-22 Because of their unbelieveth they were broken off, and though standest by faith> Be not highminded, but fear: For if God speared not the natural branches, take heed lest he also spare not thee…. on them which fell, severity. But toward thee, goodness, if thou continue in his goodness; otherwise though shalt be cut off

JUDGE NOT:

• Matt 7:1 Judge not that ye be not judged. For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again

KEEP COVENANTS:

• Deut. 7:9 Know therefore that the Lord thy God, he is God, the faithful God, which keepeth covenant and mercy with them that love him and keep his commandments to a thousand generations

• Deut. 7:12-13 Wherefore it shall come to pass, if ye hearken to these judgments, and keep, and do them, that the Lord thy God shall keep unto thee the covenant and the mercy which he sware unto thy fathers, And he will love thee, and bless thee, and multiply thee: he will also bless the fruit of thy womb, and the fruit of thy land, thy corn, and thy wine, and thine oil, the increase of thy kine, and the flocks of thy sheep, in the land which he sware unto thy fathers to give thee

• Dan. 9:4 O Lord, the great and dreadful God, keeping the covenant and mercy to them that love him, and to them that keep his commandments

• Exo. 19:5 if ye will obey my voice indeed, and keep my covenant, then ye shall be a peculiar treasure unto me above all people

• Ps. 25:10 All the paths of the Lord are mercy and truth unto such as keep his covenant and his testimonies

• Ps. 132:2 If thy children will keep my covenant and my testimony that I shall teach them, their children shall also sit upon thy throne for evermore

• Ps. 103:17-18 The mercy of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting upon them that fear him, and his righteousness unto children’s children, To such as keep his covenant, and to those that remember his commandments to do them

KNOW GOD:

• 1 Chron. 28:9 And thou, Solomon my son, know thou the God of thy father, and serve him with a perfect heart and with a willing mind: for the Lord searcheth all hearts, and understandeth all the imaginations of the thoughts: if thou seek him, he will be found of thee; but if thou forsake him, he will cast thee off for ever.

LAW OF MOSES (CIRCUMCUSION ETC.) IS REPLACED KEEPING GOD'S COMMANDMENTS & MORAL LAW:

• 1 Cor. 7:19 Circumcision is nothing, and uncircumcision is nothing, but the keeping of the commandments of God.

• Acts 21:25 As touching the Gentiles which believe… that they observe no such thing (circumcision/the Law of Moses), save only that they keep themselves from the things offered to idols, and from blood, and from strangled, and from fornication.

• Gal. 5:14 For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this; Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.

• Rom. 2:21-27 Thou therefore which teachest another, teachest thou not thyself? thou that preachest a man should not steal, dost thou steal? Thou that sayest a man should not commit adultery, dost thou commit adultery? thou that abhorrest idols, dost thou commit sacrilege? Thou that makest thy boast of the law, through breaking the law dishonourest thou God? For the name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles through you, as it is written.For circumcision verily profiteth, if thou keep the law: but if thou be a breaker of the law, thy circumcision is made uncircumcision. Therefore if the uncircumcision keep the righteousness of the law, shall not his uncircumcision be counted for circumcision? And shall not uncircumcision which is by nature, if it fulfil the law, judge thee, who by the letter and circumcision dost transgress the law?

• Rom. 13:9-10 Owe no man any thing, but to love one another: for he that loveth another hath fulfilled the law. For this, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not kill, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness, Thou shalt not covet; and if there be any other commandment, it is briefly comprehended in this saying, namely, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. Love worketh no ill to his neighbour: therefore love is the fulfilling of the law.

LOVE GOD & CHRIST:

• 2 Tim. 4:7-8 There is laid up for me a crown of righteousness… unto all them also that love his appearing

• Dan. 9:4 O Lord, the great and dreadful God, keeping the covenant and mercy to them that love him

LOVE OUR NEIGHBOR/LOVE OTHERS:

• 1 Thess. 3:12 The Lord make you to increase and abound in love one toward another, and toward all men… to the end he may establish your hearts unblameable in holiness before God, even our Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all his saints

• 1 Thess. 4:6 That no man go beyond and defraud his brother is any matter; because that the Lord is the avenger of all such, as we also have forewarned you and testified

• Deut: 10:17-19 For the Lord your God is God of gods, and Lord of lords, a great God, a mighty, and a terrible, which regardeth not persons, nor taketh reward. He doth execute the judgment of the fatherless and widow, and loveth the stranger, in giving him food and raiment. Love ye therefore the stranger.

• Luke 10:28 Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life? [Jesus] said unto him, What is written in the law? how readest thou? And he answering said, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbor as thyself. And he said unto him, Thou hast answered right: this do, and thou shalt live… (Man:) And who is my neighbor?… (Jesus gives the Good Samaritan story and commands:) Go, and do thou likewise

LOVE TRUTH:

• 2 Thess. 2:10 Them that perish, because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved

MERCIFUL:

• Matt 5:7 Blessed are the merciful, for they shall obtain mercy

• Micah 6:7-8 Will the Lord be pleased with thousands of rams, or with ten thousands of rivers of oil? shall I give my firstborn for my transgression, the fruit of my body for the sin of my soul? He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the Lord require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?

• James 2:13 He shall have judgment without mercy that hath shewed no mercy

OBEY / KEEP / DO GOD’S COMMANDMENTS:

• 1 John 1:6-7 If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in the darkness, we lie, and do not the truth: But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ… cleanseth us from all sin

• 1 John 2:17 The world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth forever

• 1 Kings 3:6 And Solomon said, Thou hast shewed unto thy servant David my father great mercy, according as he walked before thee in truth, and in righteousness, and in uprightness of heart with thee

• 1 Kings 3:14 And if thou wilt walk in my ways, to keep my statutes and my commandments, as thy father David did walk, then I will lengthen thy days.

• 2 Thess. 1:8 The Lord Jesus… in flaming fire taking vengeance of them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ (Note: What “obey the gospel” refers to here is not clear)

• Dan. 9:4 O Lord, the great and dreadful God, keeping the covenant and mercy to them that love him, and to them that keep his commandments

• Eccl 12:13-14 Fear God and keep his commandments, for this is the whole duty of man. For God shall bring every work into judgment… whether it be good or whether it be evil

• Ezek 18:27 Again, when a wicked man turneth away from his wickedness… and doeth that which is lawful and right, he shall save his soul alive.

• Ezek 18:5-9 If a man be just and do that which is lawful… and hath kept my judgments and deal truly; he is just, he shall surely live, saith the Lord God

• Gen. 22:18 In thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed; because thou hast obeyed my voice (speaking of Abraham)

• Heb. 5:8-9 Son… become the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him

• Isaiah 64:6 Thou meetest him that rejoiceth and worketh righteousness, those that remember thee in thy ways: behold, thou art wroth; for we have sinned: in those is continuance, and we shall be saved

• John 8:52 If a man keep my saying, he shall never taste of death

• John 12:50 I (Jesus speaking:) Know that his (the Father’s) commandment is life everlasting

• John 14:21 He that hath my commandments and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself to him.

• John 15:10 If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father’s commandments, and abide in his love.

• Kings 8:22, 23 God… who keepest covenant and mercy with thy servants that walk before thee with all their heart

• Luke 1:6 And they (Zacharias and Elizabeth) were both righteous before God, walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless

• Matt 19:16-21 If thou wilt enter into [eternal life], keep the commandments… go and sell that thou hast and give to poor… and come follow me.

• Phill 2:5-9, 12 Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus; who being in the form of God thought it not robbery to be equal with God… he humbled himself, and become obedient unto death.. wherefore God also hath highly exalted him…Wherefore, my beloved brethren, as ye have always obeyed… work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.

• Prov. 10:17 He that is the in the way of life that keepeth instruction

• Prov. 19:16 He that keepeth the commandment keepeth his own soul

• Prov. 3:1-4 My son, forget not thy law; but let thine heart keep my commandments… let not mercy and truth forsake thee… so shalt thou find favor in the sight of God and man.

• Ps 103:17-18 But the mercy of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting upon them that fear him… to such as keep his covenant and to those that remember his commandments to do them.

• Ps 119:166 Lord I have hoped for salvation and done thy commandments

• Ps 119:176 I have gone astray like a lost sheep; seek thy servant; for I do not forget thy commandments

• Ps. 119:94 I am thine, save me, for I have sought they precepts

• Ps. 176 Seek thy servant, I have sought thy precepts

• Ps. 25:10 All the paths of the Lord are mercy and truth unto such as keep his covenant and his testimonies

• Rev 22:11-12, 14 And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me to give every man according as his work shall be… 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. 14:12 Here is the patience of the saints: here are they that keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus. And I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me: Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord… their works do follow them.

• Rom 2:13 For not the hearers of the law are just before God, but the doers of law shall be justified.

• Rom 4:21-22 Being fully persuaded that, what he had promised, [Abraham] was able also to perform. And therefore it was imputed to him for righteousness.

• Rom. 1:3-5 Jesus Christ… by whom we have received grace… for obedience to the faith

• Rom. 6:16 Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness

ORDINANCES: BAPTISM:

• 1 Cor. 15:29 Else what shall they do which are baptized for the dead, if the dead rise not at all? why are they then baptized for the dead? (Note: The fact that the living were baptized for the dead clearly suggests that baptism is required for one's salvation)

• 1 Peter 3:20-1 In the days of Noah, while the ark was a preparing.. eight souls were saved by water. The like figure whereunto even baptism doth also now save us (not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God) by the resurrection of Jesus Christ

• Acts 2:38 Be baptized every one of you in the name of Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.

• Acts 22:16 Arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord.

• Luke 3:3 And [John] came… preaching the baptism of repentance for the remission of sins

• Mark 16:16 He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned

• Mat.. 3:14 Then cometh Jesus from Galilee to Jordan unto John, to be baptized of him. But John forbad him, saying, I have need to be baptized of thee (Note: John recognized that baptism in Christ's name was "[needed]" or in order to obtain the forgiveness of sins)

• Matt. 3:13-15 Jesus answering said unto him, Suffer it to be so now (speaking of John baptizing Jesus): for thus it becometh us to fulfill all righteousness

• Rom. 6:2-5 Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized unto Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death… For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection

ORDINANCES: LORD’S SUPPER:

• 1 Cor. 11:23-29 For I have received of the Lord that which also I delivered unto you, That the Lord Jesus the same night in which he was betrayed took bread: And when he had given thanks, he brake it, and said, Take, eat: this is my body, which is broken for you: this do in remembrance of me. After the same manner also he took the cup, when he had supped, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood: this do ye, as oft as ye drink it, in remembrance of me. For as often as ye eat this bread, and drink this cup, ye do shew the Lord’s death till he come. Wherefore whosoever shall eat this bread, and drink this cup of the Lord, unworthily, shall be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord. But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup. For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh damnation to himself, not discerning the Lord’s body.

• John 6:53-58 Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except ye eat the flesh of the Son of man, and drink his blood, ye have no life in you. Whoso eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, hath eternal life; and I will raise him up at the last day… He that eateth my flesh, and drinketh my blood, dwelleth in me, and I in him. As the living Father hath sent me, and I live by the Father: so he that eateth me, even he shall live by me. This is that bread which came down from heaven: not as your fathers did eat manna, and are dead: he that eateth of this bread shall live for ever. (Compare to Matt. 26:26-28)

OVERCOME:

• Rev. 21:7 He that overcomes shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son

PATIENCE:

• XXX

PRAY TO GOD:

• 2 Chronicles 7:14 If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will I forgive their sin

• Ps. 86:5 For thou, Lord, art good, and ready to forgive; and plenteous in mercy unto all them that call upon thee.

PROVE YOURSELF / TEST:

• Deut. 13:3 The Lord your God proveth you, to know whether ye love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul.

REPENT OF / FORSAKE / AVOID SIN:

• 1 Cor. 3:16 Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit od God dwelleth in you? If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy, for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are

• 1 Cor. 6:6-10, 18 There is utterly a fault among you, because ye go to law one with another… know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived. Neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God. And such were some of you; but ye are washed… flee fornication… he that commiteth fornication sinneth against his own body

• 1 Cor. 9:24-25 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 uncertainty; so fight, 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

• 1 Cor. 11:27-29 Wherefore whosoever shall eat this bread, and drink this cup of the Lord, unworthily, shall be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord. But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of that bread, and drink of that cup. For he that eateth and drinketh unworthily, eateth and drinketh damnation to himself

• 1 John 3:15 Whosoever hateth his brother is a murderer: and ye know that no murderer hath eternal life abiding in him

• 1 John 3:6 Whoso abideth in [God] sinneth not; whosoever sinneth hath not seen him, neither known him

• 1 John 5:18 Whosoever is born of God sinneth not; but he that is begotten of God keepth himself, and the wicked one toucheth him not

• 2 Chronicles 7:14 If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will I forgive their sin

• 2 Cor 6:17 Touch not the unclean thing, and I will receive you.

• 2 Cor. 7:10 Godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation

• 2 Thess. 2:11 That they might be damned who… had pleasure in unrighteousness

• Acts 2:38 Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost

• Eph 5:5 No whoremunger, no unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God

• Ezek 18:27 Again, when a wicked man turneth away from his wickedness… and doeth that which is lawful and right, he shall save his soul alive

• Ezek 3:20-21 If thou warn [a] righteous man, that the righteous sin not, and he doth not sin, he shall surely live, because he is warned; also thou hast delivered thy soul

• Gal. 5:18-21 The flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh, and these are contrary to one another… But if ye be led by the Spirit, ye are not under the law. Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies, envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like… they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God

• Gal. 6:7-9 Be not deceived: God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting

• Heb. 10:24-26 Let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works… for if we sin willfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins, but a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation

• Heb. 12:14-29 Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord: Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled; Lest there be any fornicator, or profane person, as Esau, who for one morsel of meat sold his birthright. For ye know how that afterward, when he would have inherited the blessing, he was rejected: for he found no place of repentance, though he sought it carefully with tears. For ye are not come unto the mount that might be touched, and that burned with fire, nor unto blackness, and darkness, and tempest, And the sound of a trumpet, and the voice of words; which voice they that heard entreated that the word should not be spoken to them any more: (For they could not endure that which was commanded, And if so much as a beast touch the mountain, it shall be stoned, or thrust through with a dart: And so terrible was the sight, that Moses said, I exceedingly fear and quake:) But ye are come unto mount Sion, and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to an innumerable company of angels, To the general assembly and church of the firstborn, which are written in heaven, and to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect, And to Jesus the mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling, that speaketh better things than that of Abel. See that ye refuse not him that speaketh. For if they escaped not who refused him that spake on earth, much more shall not we escape, if we turn away from him that speaketh from heaven: Whose voice then shook the earth: but now he hath promised, saying, Yet once more I shake not the earth only, but also heaven. And this word, Yet once more, signifieth the removing of those things that are shaken, as of things that are made, that those things which cannot be shaken may remain. Wherefore we receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved, let us have grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear: For our God is a consuming fire.

• Isaiah 55:6-7 Seek ye the Lord while he may be found…Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts, and let him return unto the Lord, and he will have mercy upon him

• Jer. 36:3 It may be that the house of Judah will hear all the evil which I purpose to do unto them; that they may return every man from his evil way; that I may forgive their iniquity and their sin.

• Luke 13:24-27 Strive to enter in at the straight gate, for many, I say unto you, many will seek to enter in, and shall not be able….then shall [some] begin to say, We have eaten and drunk in thy presence, and thou hast taught in our streets; depart from me all ye workers of iniquity

• Luke 13:5 Except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish

• Matt 18:8 Wherefore if thy hand or thy foot offend thee, cut them off, and cast them from thee: it is better for thee to enter into life halt or maimed, rather than having two hands or two feet to be cast into everlasting fire

• Matt 18:9 If thine eye offend thee, pluck it out, and cast it from thee: it is better for thee to enter into life with one eye, rather than having two eyes to be cast into hell fire

• Matt 5:29 If thy right eye offend thee, pluck it out and cast it from thee, for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell.

• Matt 5:30 If thy right hand offend thee, cut it off and cast it from thee, for it is profitable for thee that one of thy members should perish and not that thy whole body should be cast into hell.

• Matt. 3:8-10 Bring forth therefore fruits meet for repentance… every tree which bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire

• Prov. 6:32 Prov. 6:32 Whoso committeth adultery… destroyeth his own soul

• Prov 28:13 Whoso confesseth and forsaketh [their sins] shall have mercy

• Prov. 23:13-14 Withhold not correction from the child… Thou shalt beat him with the rod, and shalt deliver his soul from hell

• Ps 15:1-2 Lord, who shall abide in thy tabernacle? Who shall dwell in thy holy hill? He that walketh uprightly, and worketh righteousness, and speaketh the truth in his heart. He that backbiteth not with his tongue, nor doeth evil to his neighbor, nor taketh up a reproach against his neighbor… he that putteth not his money to usury, nor taketh reward against the innocent

• Ps 37:27 Depart evil and do good and dwell forevermore

• Rev 21:27 There shall in no wise enter into [God’s presence] any thing that defileth.

• Rev 3:4-5 Thou hast a few names even in Sardis which have not defiled their garments; and they shall walk with me in white, for they are worthy. He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment, and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life

• Rev. 2:20-23 Thou suffers that woman Jezebel… to teach and to seduce my servants to commit fornication… and I gave her a space to repent of her fornication, and she repented not. Behold, I will cast her into a bed, and them that commit adultery with her into great tribulation, except they repent of their deeds… and I will give unto every one according to your works

• Rev. 2:4 I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love. Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent… To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life

• Rev. 21:8 The fearful, the unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone

• Rom. 13:1-2 Let every man be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God; the power that be ordained of God…. they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation

• Rom. 8:12-13 Brethren… if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die; but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live

• Rom. 8:6 For to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace

SCRIPTURE, BE GUIDED BY:

• 2 Tim. 3:15-17 From a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus: All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works

• James 1:21 Receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls

SEEK GOD:

• 1 Chron. 28:9 Solomon my son, know thou the God of thy father, and serve him with a perfect heart and with a willing mind: for the Lord searcheth all hearts, and understandeth all the imaginations of the thoughts: if thou seek him, he will be found of thee; but if thou forsake him, he will cast thee off for ever

• 2 Chronicles 7:14 If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will I forgive their sin

• Acts 17:24-27 God hath made the world… and hath made of one blood all nations of men for to dwell… that they should seek the Lord, if haply they might feel after him and find him

• Amos 5:4 For thus saith the Lord unto the house of Israel, Seek ye me, and ye shall live

• Amos 5:6 Seek the Lord, and ye shall live

• Deut. 4:29 But if from thence thou shalt seek the Lord thy God, thou shalt find him, if thou seek him with all thy heart and with all thy soul.

SEEK GOOD:

• Amos 5:14 Seek good, and not evil, that ye may live: and so the Lord, the God of hosts, shall be with you, as ye have spoken

SERVE GOD:

• 1 Chron. 28:9 Solomon my son, know thou the God of thy father, and serve him with a perfect heart and with a willing mind: for the Lord searcheth all hearts, and understandeth all the imaginations of the thoughts: if thou seek him, he will be found of thee; but if thou forsake him, he will cast thee off for ever

SINCERITY:

• 1 Cor. 5:1-8 It is reported commonly that there is fornication among you… For I verily, as absent in body, but present in spirit, have judged already, as though I were present, concerning him that hath so done this deed, In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, when ye are gathered together, and my spirit, with the power of our Lord Jesus Christ, To deliver such an one unto Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that the spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus. Your glorying is not good. Know ye not that a little leaven leaveneth the whole lump? Purge out therefore the old leaven, that ye may be a new lump, as ye are unleavened. For even Christ our passover is sacrificed for us: Therefore, let us keep the feast, not with old leaven, neither with the leaven of malice and wickedness; but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth

STRIVING / EFFORT: While the specific word "effort" is not used much in our English Bible, other synonyms are all over in the teachings of as "repentance", "turning" from or "forsaking" sin, "strive", "follow after righteousness", "labor", "denying sin", "fight", "with all your heart", "willing", "dedication" "self-mastery", "seek", "sought", "suffer", "endure to the end (never giving up)" etc. These topics are clearly not speaking of perfection, but of our sincere effort to follow God. Here below are just SOME related passages. All show that effort leads to grace, mercy, eternal life etc.:

• 1 Tim 6:11-12 Flee [sin] and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, patience….fight the good fight, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession

  • 1 Kings 3:14 And if thou wilt walk in my ways, to keep my statutes and my commandments, as thy father David did walk, then I will lengthen thy days. (Note: Since David clearly was not perfect, then the fact that he "[walked in God's ways" and kept God's "commandments" clearly refers to a great, consistent effort on David's part to keep God's commandments (coupled with repentance, humility etc.)

  • 2 Tim. 4:7-8 I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith: henceforth, there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness

  • 2 Tim. 2:3-5 Thou therefore endure hardness, as a good soldier of Jesus Christ. No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier.And if a man also strive for masteries, yet is he not crowned, except he strive lawfully.

  • Heb. 6:13-15 God made promises to Abraham… so, after he (Abraham) had patiently endured, he obtained the promise

  • Prov. 10:16 The labor of the righteous tendeth to life

  • Prov. 21:21 He that followeth after righteousness & mercy findeth life

  • Rev. 2:4 I have somewhat against thee, because thou hast left thy first love. Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent… To him that overcometh will I give to eat of the tree of life

  • Rom. 8:1,13 There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit… brethren… if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live

• Amos 5:14 Seek good, and not evil, that ye may live: and so the Lord, the God of hosts, shall be with you, as ye have spoken

• 1 Chron. 28:9 Solomon my son, know thou the God of thy father, and serve him with a perfect heart and with a willing mind: for the Lord searcheth all hearts, and understandeth all the imaginations of the thoughts: if thou seek him, he will be found of thee; but if thou forsake him, he will cast thee off for ever

• Rev 3:4-5 Thou hast a few names even in Sardis which have not defiled their garments; and they shall walk with me in white, for they are worthy. He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment, and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life (Note: Those "few" clearly did not live perfectly, therefore the good things mentioned here (not defiling their garments etc.) are imperfect efforts.)

• Matt. 3:8-10 Bring forth therefore fruits meet for repentance… every tree which bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire

• Matt 18:8 Wherefore if thy hand or thy foot offend thee, cut them off, and cast them from thee: it is better for thee to enter into life halt or maimed, rather than having two hands or two feet to be cast into everlasting fire

• Luke 13:24-27 Strive to enter in at the straight gate, for many, I say unto you, many will seek to enter in, and shall not be able….then shall [some] begin to say, We have eaten and drunk in thy presence, and thou hast taught in our streets; depart from me all ye workers of iniquity

• Jer. 36:3 It may be that the house of Judah will hear all the evil which I purpose to do unto them; that they may return every man from his evil way; that I may forgive their iniquity and their sin.

• Isaiah 55:6-7 Seek ye the Lord while he may be found…Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts, and let him return unto the Lord, and he will have mercy upon him

• Cor. 7:10 Godly sorrow worketh repentance to salvation

• 1 Cor. 9:24-25 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 uncertainty; so fight, 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

• Ps. 176 Seek thy servant, I have sought thy precepts

• Ps. 119:94 I am thine, save me, for I have sought they precepts

• Ezek 18:27 Again, when a wicked man turneth away from his wickedness… and doeth that which is lawful and right, he shall save his soul alive.

• 1 Thess. 3:12 The Lord make you to increase and abound in love one toward another, and toward all men… to the end he may establish your hearts unblameable in holiness before God, even our Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all his saints (Note: Notice is says to increase in love, which clearly shows effort, betterment, not perfection).

• 2 Chronicles 7:14 If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will I forgive their sin

TRUTH:

• 1 Cor. 5:1-8 It is reported commonly that there is fornication among you… For I verily, as absent in body, but present in spirit, have judged already, as though I were present, concerning him that hath so done this deed, In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, when ye are gathered together, and my spirit, with the power of our Lord Jesus Christ, To deliver such an one unto Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that the spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus. Your glorying is not good. Know ye not that a little leaven leaveneth the whole lump? Purge out therefore the old leaven, that ye may be a new lump, as ye are unleavened. For even Christ our passover is sacrificed for us: Therefore, let us keep the feast, not with old leaven, neither with the leaven of malice and wickedness; but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth

• 1 Kings 3:6 And Solomon said, Thou hast shewed unto thy servant David my father great mercy, according as he walked before thee in truth, and in righteousness, and in uprightness of heart with thee.

TURN AWAY (DO NOT TURN AWAY):

• Heb. 12:14-29 Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord: Looking diligently lest any man fail of the grace of God; lest any root of bitterness springing up trouble you, and thereby many be defiled; Lest there be any fornicator, or profane person, as Esau, who for one morsel of meat sold his birthright. For ye know how that afterward, when he would have inherited the blessing, he was rejected: for he found no place of repentance, though he sought it carefully with tears. For ye are not come unto the mount that might be touched, and that burned with fire, nor unto blackness, and darkness, and tempest, And the sound of a trumpet, and the voice of words; which voice they that heard entreated that the word should not be spoken to them any more: (For they could not endure that which was commanded, And if so much as a beast touch the mountain, it shall be stoned, or thrust through with a dart: And so terrible was the sight, that Moses said, I exceedingly fear and quake:) But ye are come unto mount Sion, and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to an innumerable company of angels, To the general assembly and church of the firstborn, which are written in heaven, and to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect, And to Jesus the mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling, that speaketh better things than that of Abel. See that ye refuse not him that speaketh. For if they escaped not who refused him that spake on earth, much more shall not we escape, if we turn away from him that speaketh from heaven: Whose voice then shook the earth: but now he hath promised, saying, Yet once more I shake not the earth only, but also heaven. And this word, Yet once more, signifieth the removing of those things that are shaken, as of things that are made, that those things which cannot be shaken may remain. Wherefore we receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved, let us have grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear: For our God is a consuming fire.

WALK IN THE LIGHT:

• 1 John 1:6-7 If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in the darkness, we lie, and do not the truth: But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ… cleanseth us from all sin

WILL OF GOD / ELECTION: Ultimately, it is because of God’s will that man is offered any form of salvation or forgiveness. It was God that implemented His plan of salvation, it was he that sent Jesus to pay for our sins, it is he that has set the conditions that qualify man to inherit eternal life and it is He that will (with Jesus) that will choose who will enter into His Kingdom. While the choices of both God and man are involved, without God’s will and His choosing to offer salvation to mankind, no one would be saved.

• XXX

WILLINGNESS:

• 1 Chron. 28:9 Solomon my son, know thou the God of thy father, and serve him with a perfect heart and with a willing mind: for the Lord searcheth all hearts, and understandeth all the imaginations of the thoughts: if thou seek him, he will be found of thee; but if thou forsake him, he will cast thee off for eve

• 2 Cor. 8:9-12 Now therefore perform the doing of it; that as there was a readiness to will, so there may be a performance also out of that which ye have, For if there be first a willing mind, it is accepted according to that a man hath, and not according to that he hath not.

WITH ALL OUR HEART:

• 1 Kings 8:22-23 God… who keepest covenant and mercy with thy servants that walk before thee with all their heart

• 2 Chron. 6:14 O Lord God of Israel, there is no God like thee in the heaven, nor in the earth; which keepest covenant, and shewest mercy unto thy servants, that walk before thee with all their hearts:

• Deut. 4:29 But if from thence thou shalt seek the Lord thy God, thou shalt find him, if thou seek him with all thy heart and with all thy soul.

• Duet. 13:3 the Lord your God proveth you, to know whether ye love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul.

• Deut. 30:6 And the Lord thy God will circumcise thine heart, and the heart of thy seed, to love the Lord thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul, that thou mayest live.

• Luke 10:28 Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life? [Jesus] said unto him, What is written in the law? how readest thou? And he answering said, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbor as thyself. And he said unto him, Thou hast answered right: this do, and thou shalt live… (Man:) And who is my neighbor?… (Jesus gives the Good Samaritan story and commands:) Go, and do thou likewise

WORDS / SPEAK TRUTH:

• Matt. 12:36 But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment. For by thy words thou shalt be justified, and by thy words thou shalt be condemned

• Prov. 13:3 He that keepeth his mouth keepeth his life

• Rom. 3:4 Let God be true, but every man a liar; as it is written. That thou mightiest be justified in thy sayings, and mightiest overcome when thou art judged

NOT CONFESSING ALONE:

• Matt. 7:21 Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven

• Matt. 7:22-23 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity

• Judas Iscariot example XXX

NOT FAITH / BELIEF ALONE:

• John 12:42-43 Nevertheless among the chief rulers also many believed on him: but because of the Pharisees they did not confess him, lest they should be put out of the synagogue. For they loved the praise of men more than the praise of God

• James 2:17-20 Faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone… faith without works is dead

• James 2:19 Thou believest that there is one God; thou does well: the devils also believe, and tremble.

• James 2:22 Faith wrought with [Abraham’s] works and by works was faith made perfect

• James 2:24 By works a man is justified, and not by faith alone

• James 2:26 As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also

• Mark 5:7 Jesus, thou Son of the most high God? I adjure thee by God, that thou torment me not.

NOT BY LAW / LAW OF MOSES / NOT BY WORKS ALONE:

• Rom. 4:2-4 If Abraham were justified by works, he hath whereof to glory; but not before God. For what saith the scriptures? Abraham believed God, and it was counted for righteousness. But 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

• Eph. 2:8 By grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves; it is a gift of God, not of works, lest any man should boast

• Gal 3:11 But that no man is justified by the law in the sight of God, it is evident: for, The just shall live by faith

• Gal. 2:16 A man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ…for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified

• Gal. 3:2This only would I earn of you; received ye the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith?

• Gal. 3:6-11 No man is justified by the law in the sight of God, it is evident

• Rom. 10:3 For they being ignorant of God’s righteousness, and going about to establish their own righteousness, have not submitted themselves unto the righteousness of God

• Rom. 11:5-6 Even so then at this present time also there is a remnant according to the election of grace. And if by grace, then is it no more of works: otherwise grace is no more grace. But if it be of works, then is it no more grace: otherwise work is no more work

• Rom. 3:20 By the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified in his sight

• Rom. 3:20 By the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be justified… for by the law is the knowledge of sin

• Rom. 3:27 Where is boasting, then? It is excluded. By what law? Of works? Nay, but by the law of faith

• Rom. 3:28-30 Man is justified by faith apart from works of the Law

• Rom. 4:5 But to the one who does not work, but believeth in him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is reckoned as righteousness (Context suggests that the “work” here is likely referring to living God’s law’s perfectly, likely the Law of Moses).

• Rom. 4:9-12 This passage states that the Law of Moses/circumcision is not required to be saved

• Rom. 9:31-32 But Israel, which followed after the law of righteousness, hath not attained to the law of righteousness. Wherefore? Because they sought it not by faith, but as it were by the works of the law. For they stumbled at that stumblingstone

• Titus 3:5-7 Not by works…which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us

MISC:

• Heb. 4:10 For he that is entered into his rest, he also hath ceased from his own works, as God did from his. Let us labor therefore to enter into that rest, lest any man fall after the same example of unbelief

• 1 Kings 8:22-23 God… who keepest covenant and mercy with thy servants that walk before thee with all their heart

• Luke 10:28 Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life? [Jesus] said unto him, What is written in the law? how readest thou? And he answering said, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbor as thyself. And he said unto him, Thou hast answered right: this do, and thou shalt live… (Man:) And who is my neighbor?… (Jesus gives the Good Samaritan story and commands:) Go, and do thou likewise