I just heard on Three Cosmic Messages Earth’s Final Conflict, “We do not follow God’s Commandments in order to be saved, but because we are saved.” I have heard a similar message before: “We are not saved by our best efforts”, “Jesus finished the work on the cross.”
To be frank, these statements are misleading. In fact they aren’t far from the false doctrine “once saved, always saved”. They imply there is nothing we have to do on our part.
I’m not convinced Jesus is finished working. If he were finished, why do we yet pray?
Jesus dying on the cross is an offer of salvation. What must we do? Accept by believing in accordance with John 3:16, be baptized by immersion in water in the name of Jesus or in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost. Mark 16:16.
What else must we do to be saved? What does the Bible say?
Ecclesiastes 12:13 KJV Let us hear the conclusion of the whole matter: Fear God, and keep his commandments: for this is the whole duty of man.
Romans 2:13 KJV (For not the hearers of the law are just before God, but the doers of the law shall be justified.
And let’s not forget 1 John 1:9 and Proverbs 28:13. If we err and sin these verses instruct us on how to be free.
Finally, with belief, we are saved by our best efforts in Christ who gives us both strength and guidance that we may walk in the Light. And when we need help with our efforts, we call upon the Lord. Roman’s 10:13.
Tag Archives: doer
Aptitude
I recently saw a sign inside a Catholic Church on EWTN that said, Jesus is My Teacher. It caused me to think to myself – for how many people is that really true. How many people are truly learners?
Matthew 7:24-25 KJV
Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock: [25] And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock.
How many people hear his words and how many follow them? Not being a slow student but a quick learner. And not just a quick learner, but a doer.
Have you heard his saying and do you keep it?
Keep the Commandments. Matthew 19:17
A list of rarely followed commands:
Matthew 19:17 KJV … there is none good but one, that is, God: …
Matthew 23:9 KJV And call no man your father upon the earth: for one is your Father, which is in heaven.
Matthew 23:10 KJV
Neither be ye called masters: for one is your Master, even Christ.
1 Corinthians 11:14 KJV Doth not even nature itself teach you, that, if a man have long hair, it is a shame unto him?
1 Corinthians 11:4 KJV
Every man praying or prophesying, having his head covered, dishonoureth his head.
1 Corinthians 6:9-10 KJV
Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, [10] Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God.
1 Corinthians 11:5 KJV
But every woman that prayeth or prophesieth with her head uncovered dishonoureth her head: for that is even all one as if she were shaven.
Don’t seek the least you can do which is to avoid fornication and food offered to idols Acts 21:25, but as a Christian hear all Jesus’ teachings. Hear him when he teaches through Moses and the prophets. Hear him when he teaches through Job. Hear him when he teaches through Paul. Hear him in all the other New and Old Testament authors. Hear him when its Red Letter in your Holy Bible.
The Teacher is Perfect. What’s left? The aptitude of the learner!
Saltwaterheart 