Subject: Accountable for every commandment? |
Bible Note: Dear inmyheart, Greetings in the name of Jesus! My friend, I agree with you that repentence is necessary for salvation. To me, repentance is an integral and inseparable part of faith in Christ Jesus. It is impossible to be under the Lordship of Christ without repentance. Grace is extended to those that understand their humility, their lowly stature, their sinful nature, when confronted with the awesome glory of God. Well said. As to water baptism, I agree that it is important, VERY important. But not for salvation. To facilitate and enhance our sanctification during this earthly journey. All three baptisms seem to be exactly what the root word implies; washed, cleansed, whelmed. I believe that sanctification and salvation are closely linked, sometimes the distinction is blurred. But the 'justification' aspect of salvation is clearly 'by faith (alone) through grace (alone). Now some completely justified (saved) saints did some really foolish (sinful) things that obviously did not please God. But He, as a loving Father, did not revoke the status of righteousness from these men. In the same manner, we see that God may strongly desire men to do a certain thing or live a certain way, but He will not deny them for lack of it! I believe that water baptism falls into this category. I water baptism necessary for salvation (justification)? No. Does God want every believer to be water baptized? Yes. "According to the grace of God which was given to me, like a wise master builder I laid a foundation, and another is building on it. But each man must be careful how he builds on it. For no man can lay a foundation other than the one which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. Now if any man builds on the foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw, each man's work will become evident; for the day will show it because it is to be revealed with fire, and the fire itself will test the quality of each man's work. If any man's work which he has built on it remains, he will receive a reward. If any man's work is burned up, he will suffer loss; but he himself will be saved, yet so as through fire." 1 Corinthians 3:10-15 NASB/ I think that the above passage clearly speaks of the proper realtionship of (God-pleasing) works to salvation. They are separate issues. But such works are not for nil, and dead works are not acceptable to God! This speaks of reward, and loss of reward according to the manner of our walk in Christ Jesus. But there is no fear of loss of salvation! Praise God! In Christ Jesus, charis |