A) INTRODUCTION.
B) THE GREATEST AUTHORITY / SALVATION ACCORDING TO JESUS.
C) THESE VERSES TEACH US WHAT I MUST DO TO BE SAVED.
D) SAVED BY GRACE ALONE / EPHESIANS 2:8-10.
E) JUST BELIEVE ONLY; ALTHOUGH REQUIRED.
F) FAITH ALONE; ALTHOUGH REQUIRED.
G) SALVATION IS CONDITIONAL.
H) A SIMPLE BREAKDOWN.
I) WHY DID CHRIST HAVE TO DIE.
J) THE PROCESS IN ORDER.
K) FINALLY.
A) INTRODUCTION
You are not only saved from something; you are saved for something. Salvation is not as important as what you have done with it!
In My Opinion, This Is The Only Doctrine That Must Be Totally And Completely Understood. It Is The Most Important Doctrine Of Them All.
Of course, it is understood that the only reason we can be saved is because of “God’s Grace.” See Acts 15:11; Romans 3:24; Ephesians 1:7; 2:5 & 8.
Salvation In Simplicity: The Bible is clear that you need to learn Who God is (He is a relationship God); then learn to conform your life to His standard (Rev. 14:13, His Commandments), finally developing to “Christ in you, [is] the hope of Glory,” Colossians 1:27.
Salvation begins with our “willingness” to be saved. “Christ is the source of every right impulse. He is the only One that can implant in the heart enmity against sin.” SC:26.3. “God wishes us to have the mastery over ourselves. But He cannot help us without our consent and co-operation. . . but if we are willing to be made willing, the Saviour will accomplish this for us. . .’bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ.’ 2 Corinthians 10:5.” AA:482.3.
B) THE GREATEST AUTHORITY / SALVATION ACCORDING TO JESUS
Why argue with me or anyone else when we have the Greatest Authority upon this subject, i.e., J-E-S-U-S.
Whenever researching a Biblical subject, doctrinal question, obscure Scripture, or any other Bible Study, rarely are we given a direct answer to an elusive verse or given a pointed question with an absolute answer. Wouldn’t it be encouraging if we could just ask God directly, as in this Bible Study case, the most important question of all: “What shall I do to inherit eternal life?” Matthew 19:16; Mark 10:17-18; Luke 10:25; 18:18. “[294] In a genuine revival, when the Spirit of God convicts the [295] conscience, the earnest, anxious inquiry will be heard, ‘What must I do to be saved?’ ” 4SP:294-295.
This is the most important question of all because of its implications, effects, and benefits to oneself and ultimately to others. All of life’s many other questions merely fall in line with eternal life in hand. Note that: “Your soul will be lifted into a purer, holier atmosphere as you consider the important question, What shall I do to be saved?” RH, August 21, 1900.
Reader, search no longer, for God HAS been asked this question -- point-blank to His face -- in the form of Jesus Christ! (See again Mat. 19:16; Mark 10:19; Luke 10:25; 18:18). It is because of God’s absolute life changing answer that keeps the majority of the religious world from publishing or acknowledging that we must follow the answer of Jesus, and that being, “keep His Commandments,” Matthew 19:17; Mark 10:19; Luke 10:26-28; 18:20. This is the order proscribed by our LORD in order to conform to God’s process of being saved. “The Law of God is an agent in every genuine conversion.” 4SP:297.
Please notice (see again Mat. 19:17; Mark 10:19; Luke 10:26 & 28; 18:20) that Jesus does not answer with “just believe,” certainly “believing” being a requirement also (see Acts 16:30-31), or a rebuke for thinking they DID have toDO something in order to be saved. When we understand what sin is -- First John 3:4; Romans 3:20; 4:15; 5:13-17; First Corinthians 15:56 -- the transgression of God’s Law, we learn that God saves us “from” our sins (Mat. 1:21; Acts 3:26; 1Jo. 1:7; 3:5; Rev. 1:5), not “in” them. “Entire obedience to the Law of God is the condition of salvation.” 18MR:74. “God has not given His Son to a life of suffering and ignominy and a shameful death to release man from obedience to the Divine Law.” Faith and Works, page 30.
If we are honest with ourselves, we can admit that we are all sinners, but we shouldn’t finish that phrase with “[sinners still sinning but] saved by grace,” Ephesians 2:5 & 8. We reason that since it has been impossible “to walk, even as He walked,” First John 2:6, up to this point in our lives, that God must save us IN our sins, because of His grace, and not FROM our sins, as the Bible teaches.
The point that most people need to recognize is that God HATES sin and wants to free us from it, both now and forever. If you don’t believe there is something to be saved from, then why put forth an effort to bring people to (Christ) salvation? God loves us the way we are, but He loves us too much to leave us that way! “Almost but not wholly saved means to be not almost but wholly lost.” Christ’s Object Lessons, page 118.
C) THESE VERSES TEACH US WHAT I MUST DO TO BE SAVED
These are the verses that teach us that there are many things to consider when debating this very important Bible subject. Here they are:
-
Second Samuel 22:28: “And the afflicted people Thou wilt save: but Thine eyes are upon the haughty, that thou mayest bring them down.”
Psalm 7:10: “My defence is of God, which saveth the upright in heart.”
Psalm 17:7: “Shew Thy marvellous lovingkindness, O Thou that savest by Thy right hand them which put their trust in Thee from those that rise up against them.”
Psalm 34:18: “The LORD is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit.”
Psalm 80:3: “Turn us again, O God, and cause Thy face to shine; and we shall be saved.”
Psalm 80:7: “Turn us again, O God of hosts, and cause Thy face to shine; and we shall be saved.”
Psalm 80:19: “Turn us again, O LORD God of hosts, cause Thy face to shine; and we shall be saved.”
Psalm 106:8: “Nevertheless He saved them for His Name’s sake, that He might make His mighty power to be known.”
Proverbs 28:18: “Whoso walketh uprightly shall be saved: but he that is perverse in his ways shall fall at once.”
Isaiah 30:15: “For thus saith the Lord GOD, the Holy One of Israel; In returning and rest shall ye be saved; in quietness and in confidence shall be your strength: and ye would not.”
Isaiah 45:22: “Look unto Me, and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth: for I am God, and there is none else.”
Jeremiah 4:14: “O Jerusalem, wash thine heart from wickedness, that thou mayest be saved.”
Matthew 10:22: “And ye shall be hated of all men for My Name’s sake: but he that endureth to the end shall be saved.”
Matthew 18:3: “And said, Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of Heaven.”
Matthew 24:13: “But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.”
Mark 10:15: “Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child, he shall not enter therein.”
Mark 13:13: “And ye shall be hated of all men for My Name’s sake: but he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.”
Mark 16:16: “He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.”
Luke 7:50: “And he said to the woman, Thy faith hath saved thee; go in peace.”
Luke 8:12: “Those by the way side are they that hear; then cometh the devil, and taketh away the word out of their hearts, lest they should believe and be saved.”
Luke 18:17: “Verily I say unto you, Whosoever shall not receive the kingdom of God as a little child shall in no wise enter therein.”
Luke 18:42: “And Jesus said unto him, Receive thy sight: thy faith hath saved thee.”
John 3:3: “Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.”
John 3:5: “Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.”
John 3:15: “That whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have eternal life.”
John 3:16: “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”
John 3:17: “For God sent not His Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through Him might be saved.”
John 5:34: “But I receive not testimony from man: but these things I say, that ye might be saved.”
John 8:24: “ I [Jesus] said therefore unto you, that ye shall die in your sins: for if ye believe not that I Am [Deity] He, ye shall die in your sins.”
John 10:9: “I Am the door: by Me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture.”
Acts 2:21: “And it shall come to pass, that whosoever shall call on the Name of the Lord shall be saved.”
Acts 4:12: “Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other Name under Heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.”
Acts 11:14: “Who shall tell thee words, whereby thou and all thy house shall be saved.”
Acts 15:11: “But we believe that through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ we shall be saved, even as they.”
Acts 16:30-31: “And brought them out, and said, 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.”
Romans 5:9: “Much more then, being now justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him.”
Romans 5:10: “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.”
Romans 8:24: “For we are saved by hope: but hope that is seen is not hope: for what a man seeth, why doth he yet hope for?”
Romans 10:9: “That 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.”
Romans 10:13: “For whosoever shall call upon the Name of the Lord shall be saved.”
Romans 11:26: “And so all Israel shall be saved: as it is written, There shall come out of Sion the Deliverer, and shall turn away ungodliness from Jacob.”
First Corinthians 5:5: “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.”
First Corinthians 15:2: “By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain.”
Ephesians 2:5: Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved).”
Ephesians 2:8: “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God.”
Second Thessalonians 2:10: “And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved.”
First Timothy 2:15: “Notwithstanding she shall be saved in childbearing, if they continue in faith and charity and holiness with sobriety.” Note: The premise is that a woman will be saved despite the fact that they still continue to experience pain in childbearing.
Second Timothy 1:9: “Who hath saved us, and called us with an holy calling, not According to our works, but According to His Own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before the world began.”
Titus 3:5: “Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but According to His mercy He saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost.”
First Peter 4:18: “And if the righteous scarcely be saved, where shall the ungodly and the sinner appear?”
To Break it all down, in order to be “Biblically Saved,” you must be an:
“Afflicted people, upright in heart, put [ing] their trust in Thee [God], be [ing] of a contrite spirit, Turn [ing, from sin, which will] cause Thy [God’s] face to shine, for His Name’s sake, [being of those] Whoso walketh uprightly, In returning and rest, Look [ing] unto Me [God], wash [ing] thine heart from wickedness, [and being he] that endureth to the end, be [ing] converted, become [ing] as little children, endure [ing] unto the end, receive [ing] the kingdom of God as a little child, endure [ing] unto the end, [being one who] believeth and is baptized, [having] faith, believe [ing], receive [ing] the kingdom of God as a little child, [having] faith, be [ing] born again, be [ing] born of water and of the Spirit, believeth in Him, believeth in Him, [because of; or] through Him, these things I say [believing the apostles testimony], [through; or] by Me [Jesus], [Jesus] is [Deity], [you] enter in, [and] call on the Name of the Lord, [because] there is none other Name, [let us] tell thee words [that you might receive the testimony of the apostles], through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, by His blood, by His life, by hope, confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, believe in thine heart that God hath raised Him from the dead, call [ing] upon the Name of the Lord, turn [ing] away [from] ungodliness, [and causing] destruction of the flesh, if ye keep in memory what I [Paul] preached unto you, by [God’s] grace, by [God’s] grace, through faith, [and] the love of the truth, [being saved] in childbearing, continue [-ing] in faith and charity and holiness with sobriety, [being saved for] His Own purpose and grace, According to His mercy, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost, [being] righteous.”
D) SAVED BY GRACE ALONE / EPHESIANS 2:8-10
Lest you say, “Saved by grace alone,” consider that “grace alone” is NOT found anywhere in the Bible. Yes, we are saved by grace and not by the works of the Law (see Rom. 3:20; Gal. 2:16; Eph. 2:8-9). However, the experience of salvation by grace results in obedience to God’s Law. Discover Romans 8:1-4, with the concluding verse stating: “That the righteousness of the Law might be fulfilled in us,” verse 4 (see also Rom. 6:15 & 8:10).
I obviously disagree with most “Christian” denominations, in that I use “common sense.” See what you think. That we are “saved” at all is because of God’s “grace.” This I agree with everyone else. “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God.” Ephesians 2:8. However, the then abused verse is Ephesians 2:9: “Not of works. . .” For one to think they can go to Heaven without obeying God, they are out of their minds. And, they fail to read the next verse (10), which puts this all into context: “For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus UNTO GOOD WORKS, which GOD HATH BEFORE ORDAINED THAT WE SHOULD WALK IN THEM.” Verse 10. Notice, we were created to “walk in” “good works.” And the only true standard for that is God’s Commandments. All of them!
Although we are saved ONLY or ALONE because of the “grace” of God (Acts 15:11; Romans 3:24; Ephesians 1:7; 2:5 & 8), “OBEDIENCE” is the fruit of the recognition and faith (Luke 18:42; Eph. 2:8; Jam. 2:18 & 20 & 26) in and of God’s grace. In other words, God’s grace is conditional. Now before you toss the rest of this article away, let me illustrate.
Imagine when you are/were 16 years old and that your parents gave you your very own car to drive (God’s grace). You appreciatively accept this car and their love and respect for you (your faith). Now who owns the car? You do, right? But wait; there are some instructions that come with the giving of this car (conditions of grace). You must keep a grade point average of “C” or above; you must be home no later than 10:00 P.M.; you must receive no speeding violations; etcetera.
Now who do you think owns the car (or holds the title to it, i.e., grace)? Of course, your parents (God) do (does), because they can retain possession of the car (grace) at any point of your misapplication of the rules applied to the keeping of that car. But did you read what I said -- retain possession? This means that in essence, by accepting (faith) the car (grace), you become the owner of the car (grace). Thus we see a partnership of joint ownership here.
We can also notice the Biblical principle of God being the Initiator of that grace: “According as He hath chosen us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy [keep His Commandments] and without blame [keeping His Commandments] before Him in Love.” Ephesians 1:4. “But we are bound to give thanks alway to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth.” Second Thessalonians 2:13 (see also Rom. 9:11; 2Ti. 1:9). He certainly “choses” us. But unless we “chose” to be like Him, loving His Commandments, we will not be saved.
Now let me ask you a question. In receiving this car (grace), wouldn’t you also rather have a “B” than a “C” on your performance evaluation; wouldn’t you rather be home in time to be refreshed for the next day’s duties; and wouldn’t you rather have a clean driving record? In other words, is God asking us to do things that are harmful to us, or by faith, do we obey Him because we can see both His righteousness and the benefits of doing His will? This last statement emphasizes our faith in action.
We are judged by the Law of our God, the great standard of righteousness, because Christ’s grace has been made available as being The Power to obey it. Did you catch that? Christ’s grace impowers us to be obedient to His righteous principles.
Here is another thought. Our works are judged because God’s grace makes it possible for us to perform works that are acceptable to God. The apostle Paul points out his reaction to God’s grace: “I consent unto the Law that it is good;” “For I delight in the Law of God;” “I myself serve the Law of God,” Romans 7:16 & 22 & 25. These acknowledgements of God’s grace inspired Paul into the service of Christ. How much more us? Obedience through the power of the Holy Spirit is not legalism. Hoever, if it is, than I am a legalist.
E) JUST BELIEVE ONLY; ALTHOUGH REQUIRED
You will also NOT find “[ONLY] Just Believe [ONLY]” in the Scriptures. However, believing is a requirement. Never forgetting that it is only by God’s “grace” that allows us to be able to believe and saved in the first place.
“Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved,” Acts 16:31. See also John 1:12; 3:15-16 & 36; 6:40 & 47; 11:25-26; 20:31; Acts 4:12; 8:37; 13:39; Romans 10:9; First John 5:10-13.
F) FAITH ALONE; ALTHOUGH REQUIRED
You will ALSO NOT find “faith ALONE” in the Bible. But you will find that “the just shall live by his faith.” Habakkuk 2:4. See also Romans 1:17; Galatians 3:11; Hebrews 10:38.
“Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: By Whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand, and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.” Romans 5:1-2. See also Galatians 3:26.
According to Acts 10:35, “he that {ONE} feareth Him, and {TWO} worketh righteousness, is accepted with Him.” Herein lies the road to salvation. “Truth is onward. Truth is upward. On the other hand, those who claim that their faith alone will save them, are trusting to a rope of sand; for faith is strengthened and made perfect by works only.” 3SP:331. “Faith without works is dead,” James 2:20 & 26.
G) SALVATION IS CONDITIONAL
THESE ARE JUST A SAMPLING
Leviticus, Chapter 26, Verses 14-15 & 17:
(14) But if ye will not hearken unto Me, and will not do all these Commandments;
(15) And if ye shall despise My Statutes, or if your soul abhor My judgments, so that ye will not do all My Commandments, but that ye break My Covenant:
(17) I will set My face against you;
Numbers, Chapter 15, Verse 31:
(31) Because he hath despised the Word of the LORD, and hath broken His Commandment, that soul shall utterly be cut off; his iniquity shall be upon him.
Deuteronomy, Chapter 8, Verse 20:
(20) As the nations which the LORD destroyeth before your face, so shall ye perish; because ye would not be obedient unto the Voice of the LORD your God.
Second Kings, Chapter 17, Verses 13-14 & 19:
(13) Yet the LORD testified against Israel, and against Judah, by all the prophets, and by all the seers, saying, Turn ye from your evil ways, and keep My Commandments and My Statutes, according to all the Law which I Commanded your fathers, and which I sent to you by My servants the prophets.
(14) Notwithstanding they would not hear, but hardened their necks, like to the neck of their fathers, that did not believe in the LORD their God.
(19) Also Judah kept not the Commandments of the LORD their God, but walked in the statutes of Israel which they made.
Second Chronicles, Chapter 36, Verse 16:
(16) But they mocked the messengers of God, and despised His Words [Commandments; proven in the next text], and misused His prophets, until the wrath of the LORD arose against His people, till there was no remedy.
Proverbs, Chapter 13, Verse 13:
(13) Whoso despiseth the Word shall be destroyed: but he that feareth the Commandment shall be rewarded.
Isaiah, Chapter 30, Verses 12-13:
(12) Wherefore thus saith the Holy One of Israel, Because ye despise this Word [Commandments], and trust in oppression and perverseness, and stay thereon:
(13) Therefore this iniquity shall be to you as a breach ready to fall, swelling out in a high wall, whose breaking cometh suddenly at an instant.
Jeremiah, Chapter 6, Verse 19:
(19) Hear, O earth: behold, I will bring evil upon this people, even the fruit of their thoughts, because they have not hearkened unto My Words [equals “Law”], nor to My Law, but rejected It.
Daniel, Chapter 9, Verse 10-14:
(10) Neither have we obeyed the Voice [equals “Law”]of the LORD our God, to walk in His Laws, which He set before us by His servants the prophets.
(11) Yea, all Israel have transgressed Thy Law, even by departing, that they might not obey Thy Voice [equals “Law”]; therefore the curse is poured upon us, and the oath that is written in the Law of Moses the servant of God, because we have sinned against Him.
(12) And He hath confirmed His Words, which He spake against us, and against our judges that judged us, by bringing upon us a great evil: for under the whole heaven hath not been done as hath been done upon Jerusalem.
(13) As it is written in the Law of Moses, all this evil is come upon us: yet made we not our prayer before the LORD our God, that we might turn from our iniquities, and understand Thy Truth.
(14) Therefore hath the LORD watched upon the evil, and brought it upon us: for the LORD our God is righteous in all His Works which He doeth: for we obeyed not His Voice [equals “Law”].
Zechariah, Chapter 7, Verses 11-12:
(11) But they refused to hearken, and pulled away the shoulder, and stopped their ears, that they should not hear [God’s “Law”].
(12) Yea, they made their hearts as an adamant stone, lest they should hear the Law, and the Words [equals “God’s Law] which the LORD of hosts hath sent in His Spirit by the former prophets: therefore came a great wrath from the LORD of hosts.
John, Chapter 14, Verse 15:
(15) If ye love Me, keep My Commandments.
John, Chapter 15, Verse 14:
(14) Ye are My friends, if ye do whatsoever I Command you.
Hebrews, Chapter 10, Verses 28-29:
(28) He that despised Moses’ Law died without mercy under two or three witnesses:
(29) Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the Blood of the Covenant, wherewith He was Sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace?
H) A SIMPLE BREAKDOWN
From my favorite Bible Commentator we have “Salvation In Its Simplicity:” “He [God] showed him the steps necessary to take in conversion -- [ONE; Acts 2:38] repentance toward God because of transgression of the Father’s Law, [TWO] faith in Christ as the Saviour of men, and [THREE; Acts 2:38; Mark 16:16] baptism in the likeness of His death.” 3SP:304.
“[315] He [ONE] repented, that is, died to sin, [TWO] became obedient to the Law of God, had [THREE] faith in Jesus Christ as his Saviour, [FOUR] was [316] baptized, and [FIVE] preached Jesus.” 3SP:315-316.
“The Bible will show us what course we must pursue to become heirs of glory. . . It is only by {ONE} the grace of God, combined {“COMBINED”} with {TWO} the most earnest efforts on our part [keep His Commandments], that {CONCLUSION} we can gain the victory.” RH, January 4, 1881.
What the Bible is (the true meaning of “Torah”), is “instructions” on Who God is (“Love”) and what we are to become (Like Him; God-Like; i.e., Love). I have taught in my Bible classes: “A False Concept Of God Leads To False Doctrine.”
I) WHY DID CHRIST HAVE TO DIE
Q) Why did our Lord die?
A) Because He Loves us.
Q) OK, But you can love someone and not have to die. So why did our Lord HAVE TO die?
A) To redeem us.
Q) OK, But why did we have to be redeemed?
A) Because we are sinners that need to be saved from our sins, not in them.
Q) What is sin?
A) The transgression of God’s Law (1Jo. 3:4).
Therefore, the death of Jesus is payment for the breaking of God’s Law. And only God can die for the breaking of the Law of God. Because it is God’s Law that was broken, no substitute, not evwen an holy angel, or any other holy being could be an offering for that broken Law. And since Jesus died for the Law of God (the Ten Commandment Law), then every aspect of that Law is what we are accountable for today and forever. For if Jesus had changed the Law before His death, then we would be Commanded to be keeping Holy that new Law of God. But since He died without changing that Law, it is still in affect today.
In fact, if God where to change His Holy Law, He would have to Come down to earth again and die for the newly instituded Law of God. This is why Christ instituted the Communion Service, instituted in what we call, “The Last Supper,” before He went to the cross, in order to sanctify that service.
Therefore, any changes to the Ten Commandment Law of God (or any of His Laws: Dietary, Health; etcetera) is not a change made by God, but by mankind in order to accomadate his own desires. Bottom line: “If the Law of God could have been changed or abolished, then Christ need not have Come to a fallen world to suffer the consequence of man’s transgression.” 2SP:218.1.
That Christ should pay such a high price as to die upon a cross should also designate that He will do everything in His utmost power to insure you have your best opportunity in which to be in Heaven with Him. He will give you the power to overcome sin. If not, He is moking you when He asks you to “overcome.” See Colosians 1:27 often, “Christ in you, the hope of glory.”
J) THE PROCESS IN ORDER
1) Without the “Grace” of God there would be no salvation of anyone.
2) Acknowledgement of that “Grace” leads to “Love” towards God.
3) Which leads to the “Conviction of Sin,” that you are a sinner and need a remedy.
4) Which leads to “Obedience” towards Gods Law.
5) Which then leads to the doing of “Good Works.”
Should you plan on going to Heaven, be advised that It is a place where all the inhabitants will be in service to God (the first 4 Commandments) and each other (the last six Commandments).
K) FINALLY
The simpliest answer as to “What must I do in order to go to Heaven?” would be, “Become God-like.” And since “God is Love,” First John 4:8 & 16, you must learn what “Love” is. A false concept of God leads to false doctrine remember? This is why we study the Bible, the Word of God. According to John 17:3, “To know Him is to LoveHim.”
To finalize this concept (that we are saved based upon whether or not we Love Him), Jesus was once asked, “Master, which is the great Commandment in the Law?” Matthew 22:36. His answer overly confirms the fact that we need to “Love” in order to be saved. For twice, both refering to the greatest test in the Commandments, and the second greatest test of obedience to the Commandments, our Lord says: “Thou shalt Love,” verses 37 & 39.
It always amazes me when Christians give more power to the Devil and the lack of power given to Jesus. For example, the Devil can tempt a person easily, but Jesus cannot save a person FROM their sins, instead of IN them. Jesus cannot defeat the Jebusites, Hittites, Ammonites, Moabites, or Devil[ites] that are inside of you, because they are just too strong for us. But we can serve sin. However, I believe Jesus is stronger than the Devil and if we will let Him, He CAN save us FROM our sins.
Jesus many times asked His disciples, “Where is your faith?” Matthew 6:30; 8:26; 14:31; 17:20; Mark 4:40-41; Luke 12:28; John 11:40. “Where is your faith” that you can believe Jesus can help you?
Once again, the quickest and most comprehensive and easy answer as to understanding the road to Salvation, or better, “How do I get to Heaven,” or “What must I do in order to be saved,” is. . . “Christ in you, the hope of glory.” Colossians 1:27. And since “God is Love,” First John 4:8 & 16, then you must become “Love.”
However, since there are so many nutty ideas out there as to how easy it is to be “Saved,” or what you must do or not have to do in order to be “Saved,” the shame of this is that the rest of this lengthy Bible Study is an attempt to conteract the stupidity or non commond sense (nonsense) being displayed by so many denominations.
Let me add something for you to consider right here. Adam and Eve couldn’t add to their salvation by being obedient, but they could (and did) lose their salvation by being disobedient. So it is with us: To obey is to live, to disobey is to die.
​
​