Bible Question (short): How am I saved? |
Question (full): Dear CDBJ, I don't think God specifically asks anyone "Why should I let you into my kingdom" like in the Jack Chick tracts and you have to get the answer right. However, for your information, I believe that Christ's sacrifice on the cross makes satisfaction for my sins and merits my eternal salvation. We enter into the New Convenant in his blood by believing (in our heart that Jesus is the Son of God and that he was risen from the dead) and by being baptised (Mark 16:15) The Bible teaches that having appropriated the benefits of Christ's atoning death all our past sins are wiped cleaned. I don't believe that all our future sins are forgiven; after all Jesus instituted the Lord's Prayer in which we regularly ask forgiveness for our ongoing sins. I do not believe the Bible anywhere teaches that we are forgiven all our sins past, present and future, and it gives many stern warnings against both apostasy and ongoing sin (e.g. James 5:19-20): My brethren, if any among you strays from the truth and one turns him back,let him know that he who turns a sinner from the error of his way will save his soul from death and will cover a multitude of sins. 1 John 5:16-17 is quite explicit about the consequences of sins leading to death or mortal sin as Catholics (and the RSV) would put it. Are you asking me whether I understand that Christ's atoning death is what constitutes my righteousness before God rather than good works. Beyond this I trust you appreciate that the "once saved always saved" view is only held by the Baptists / Presbyterians and their derivatives and is certainly not a universially held belief across Protestantism. Two weeks ago I was rushed into hospital in the middle of the night with severe pains in my chest. First they thought it might be my heart, then it looked liked I had a clot on my lung. I can assure you I felt ready to meet my God and Saviour. Steve |