Subject: What exactly must a person to be saved? |
Bible Note: If there is something we can or must do, something we must add to our faith, to gain salvation, what would that be? Over a period of time on this forum we have ruled out surrender to the lordship of Christ (this is not a condition for salvation); baptism (this has been discussed here ad nauseum); and repentance (a false addition to faith when understood as a prerequisite, requiring the cleansing of the life FIRST in order to be saved. (See page 1950, MacArthur Study Bible.) We have said hundreds of times: Good works are the result, not the cause of salvation. Remaining faithful is the result, not the cause of genuine saving faith. So what must we DO to be saved? Keep the commandments? Obey the law? AMPLIFIED Acts 13:39 And that through Him everyone who believes [who acknowledges Jesus as his Savior and devotes himself to Him] is absolved (cleared and freed) from every charge from which he could not be justified and freed by the Law of Moses and given right standing with God. AMPLIFIED Romans 3:20 For no person will be justified (made righteous, acquitted, and judged acceptable) in His sight by observing the works prescribed by the Law. For [the real function of] the Law is to make men recognize and be conscious of sin [not mere perception, but an acquaintance with sin which works toward repentance, faith, and holy character]. AMPLIFIED Romans 3:28 For we hold that a man is justified and made upright by faith independent of and distinctly apart from good deeds (works of the Law). [The observance of the Law has nothing to do with justification.] AMPLIFIED Galatians 2:16 Yet we know that a man is justified or reckoned righteous and in right standing with God not by works of the Law, but [only] through faith and [absolute] reliance on and adherence to and trust in Jesus Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed One). [Therefore] even we [ourselves] have believed on Christ Jesus, in order to be justified by faith in Christ and not by works of the Law [for we cannot be justified by any observance of the ritual of the Law given by Moses], because by keeping legal rituals and by works no human being can ever be justified (declared righteous and put in right standing with God). [Ps. 143:2.] AMPLIFIED Galatians 3:11 Now it is evident that no person is justified (declared righteous and brought into right standing with God) through the Law, for the Scripture says, The man in right standing with God [the just, the righteous] shall live by and out of faith and he who through and by faith is declared righteous and in right standing with God shall live. [Hab. 2:4.] So whatever it is that we must do to be saved, keep our salvation or add to our salvation, it is not surrender, baptism, repentance, keeping the law, good works or holding on and holding out. If one finally is saved and makes it into the kingdom of God it will be because God held on to that person, not the other way around. GOD DOES THE SAVING. GOD DOES THE KEEPING. SALVATION IS OF THE LORD. |