Christians and Salvation

A quick word on salvation ...

My Christian brothers and sisters are aware that we are saved by grace alone, not of works correct (Ephesians 2:8-10)? I would hope so. The Bible tells us that if we want to be saved by works of the law, of our own effort, then we will be judged by that same standard (Romans 3:28; Galations 3:10). If we wish to be saved by the law, we must keep every point of the law, for if we stumble on even one point, we have not kept the whole law, and cannot be in fellowship with God (James 2:10).

The whole purpose of the law up until Christ was to prove that no one could ever achieve God's standard by the law. And, even those under the law, were saved by their faith in God's promise of the coming savior (Romans 4:3-8, Hebrews 11:1-40). Therefore, if that is the measure by which one chooses to be judged (as many world religions do), we will never attain fellowship with God, and will be condemned by our own works, which the Bible says are as "filthy rags" to God (Romans 2:12-16; Isaiah 64:6; Galatians 5:2-6).

We must both repent of our sin, and put our faith in Christ as our atoning sacrifice, and propitiation of our sins (1 John 2:2-6). In common terms, Christ paid the penalty on the cross so that by His blood we might be saved, through faith, by God's mercy, but not of works, lest any should boast. Yet, by His blood we are saved, and as a product of that saving grace, we are compelled to be obedient to God, and follow His commands. Not, to earn our salvation, but as a product of His adoption of us as sons and daughters, wishing to please our Father.

But, trusting on His sacrifice, and still trying to somehow earn God's favor, negates the purpose of His sacrifice. We can't have 90% faith, and still try to squeeze in 10% works of our own doing. It must be 100% trust on Christ's atonement, or we are setting ourselves up to be judged according to the law, of which, as mentioned above, no one can successfully meet the standard.

Therefore, brothers and sisters, do not lower Christ's sacrifice by thinking anything we could ever do on would amount to anything in God's sight. We are saved by grace alone, in Christ alone. Yet, James tells us faith without works is dead (James 2:14-18). Do our actions seek to honor God and follow His command? If not, then we do not actually have Christ, for by faith in Christ, the product of that faith is manifested in good works, and a kingdom focused mindset.

This is basic Christianity, but I get the impression that many of those who would call themselves Christians, do not fully believe this. It is a doctrinal essential, so to ignore this truth, one might as well call themselves something other than Christian (in the sense that we are saved by Christ).

We must test our selves to see that our salvation is true, and work out our salvation with fear and trembling (2 Cor 13:5-7). This makes it apparent that it is not as simple as just signing a card, praying a prayer or walking an aisle.

In our hearts we must turn from our sin, and let the Holy Spirit renew us, justified by our faith in Christ alone. Thus we are then a new creation, the old passed away, and the new desires only to please God, and seek out His will for our lives. For what better purpose on this earth could there be than to do the will of God, and be in His service for the kingdom? Though our rewards are often found on the other side of the curtain, we can have great assurance of our place with God by seeking His will and bearing fruit (1 Corinthians 3:12-15).

Bearing fruit of good works is the product of a renewed life in Christ, not the method by which any can earn salvation.

We do not want to be false Christians, thinking we are saved, when in fact we are not. (Matthew 7:21-23 contains one of those most frightening passages for Christians, and we must read it as a cautionary tale that there are clearly some who think they are of the faith, and actually are not.) Test yourselves brothers and sisters, and work out your salvation (Philippians 2:12-13). Understand why you believe what you believe, and be ready to give an answer with gentleness and respect to any who would ask of the hope that is in you (1 Peter 3:15).

Let that be an assured hope, and let our lives bear fruit as much as 100 fold (Luke 8:8), for we seek to run the race to the finish, and receive the prize on the other side (1 Corinthians 9:24; 2 Timothy 4:7-8). Paul speaks to this as the goal of the Christian life. We must endure to the end to show our faith was true.

Test yourselves brothers and sisters. Are you a butt in the seat on Sundays and nothing more? Or, do you honestly seek to honor Christ, and seek His will in your daily life? If not, you may still be in the faith, but not maturing as one should. We must desire to mature in the faith, seeking "meat", not milk (Hebrews 5:12-14; 1 Corinthians 3:2). As we grow, God often test us to see that our dedication is true. Though nothing we can actually do would earn salvation, we know that as we grow in our renewal through Christ Jesus that God will develop us and causes us to grow, thus bearing more fruit for the kingdom.

May we continue assured in our salvation, bearing fruit unto righteousness, and let our actions for Christ as loud as our words.