The Degrees of Christianity

Work out your own salvation, and decide which degree of Christianity you want to participate in.  What extent of involvement do you actually want to be accepted for or known as being relegated to?  You can be a fanatical Christian, a fringe Christian, or totally immersed into and completely wrapped up in the Christian movement, giving your whole heart to Jesus Christ.  Let´s see what the King James Bible has to say about salvation.  

Philippians 2:12

“Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.” 

https://www.kingjamesbibleonline.org/Philippians-2-12/ 

That might mean pretty much that I can accept whatever principles of Christianity fit my own perspective, my work activity, my hobbies, and my commitments to my family, or even how much I want to set aside of my time to meditate, pray, and read the Bible.  How much do I need to give to charity to be considered saved?  I want my salvation to be important, that is if I am not already totally involved in all my other activities.  Once a week might be enough to think about God, after all It says that I just have to believe.  But let us look at the other verses in this scripture, the context of what it means in Philippians 2:12.  Jesus´s name is above every other name, exalted by God.  At the name of Jesus, every knee shall bow.  Every tongue shall confess that Jesus Christ is Lord.  Work out your own salvation, but with fear and trembling.  

So, how much should I get into these degrees of Christianity?  Should I stay up late at night reading the Bible, pray more, memorize scripture, and go out witnessing to people I don´t even know?  Do I need to monitor my time spent on the computer, stay away from other people who don´t know Jesus, those who might tempt me to be sinful?  How much alcohol am I allowed to still drink?  How much can I drink and do drugs and still stay saved?  Am I still saved after I commit horrible sins?  If I have committed horrible unspeakable sins in the past, am I still able to be saved?  Can I keep my sins and still be saved?  Do I need to give up all my sins?

Let´s look at the whole context of this scripture on working out your own salvation.            

Philippians 2:12 (Context)

Philippians 2:9 - 2:15

9Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: 10That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; 11And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. 12Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. 13For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure. 14Do all things without murmurings and disputings: 15That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world;

https://www.kingjamesbibleonline.org/Philippians-2-9_2-15/

Christ died for the whole world, that through him you might be saved from your sins and be forgiven.  He did say to go and sin no more, lest a more horrible thing fall upon you.  Give up your sins willingly.  The alcoholic, the drug user, or the addict is his own worse enemy.  Jesus can give you the reason and the will to survive your own weaknesses, but you must make your own decision.  All those who have committed horrible sins can be saved.  Jesus said to come to Him, all those who labor and are heavily burdened and He will give you rest for your souls. 

Matthew 11:28 - 11:30

28 Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.

29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.

30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light. 

https://www.kingjamesbibleonline.org/Matthew-11-28_11-30/ 

The real truth is that there are no degrees in Christianity.  You either accept Jesus or you don´t, believe or do not believe.  You either give up your sins willingly or you don´t.  You either follow Jesus and His teachings, His words, His healing power, and His saving grace to find rest for your soul, or you don´t believe and don´t  accept any of it.  You make your own salvation from a broken and evil world that only seeks your own destruction.  Every knee shall bow, and every tongue shall confess that Jesus is Lord.

July 17, 2023

Cliff Rhodes Christian Ministry