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 Gaining SalvationI've been talking to a friend at work. I found out today that he has not yet accepted salvation because he feels he needs to "improve" himself first!! He used the argument that salvation is not enough and that he also would need to change as he feels that you cannot be saved if you continue to sin. I did explain to him that if you truly desire salvation then Christ will grant it and the Holy Spirit will help you to repent (turn away from) your sin. I also explained that if he waits till he is worthy he will never gain salvation. he also feels that, salvation or no, he will be judged on actions when he leaves this mortal life and that will determine his fate, not whether his name is in the Book of Life or not. I really am far to new in my faith to be trying to help him. I have suggested that he talks to his pastor but believes the pastor is to busy for individuals! He feels he has no one to discuss this with. I'm happy to talk to him but I fear I may not have enough answers for him. What I do need is scriptural references that support the fact that you do not need to improve yourself before you can accept salvation and that once you have accepted Christ's gift the Holy Spirit will work on you to wrought the changes that you cannot do yourself. I'm also going to see if there are any fellowship meetings in the city where we work that we can go to during our lunch our. He really does need someone with more knowledge than I to help him. Hopefully I can at least get him to someone that can give him the guidance he needs. Thanks guys. |
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honorofkings 04-Aug-08, 22:29 |
You can't earn your way to salvation David |
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Here's my FAVORITE passage about getting justified. 14I tell you, this man went down to his house JUSTIFIED rather than the other: for every one that exalteth himself shall be abased; and he that humbleth himself shall be exalted." Outright HONEST confession of sin to a Holy God is the only step that your friend needs to concern himself with right now. If he is trying to plead with God for the right to continue to practice sin after professing faith in Christ, then he is not being HONEST. If he is only worried about his ability to live the Christian life after coming to Christ, then that is another matter. The HOLY SPIRIT will start cleaning him up and making him better one step at a time, AFTER he prays as the publican did "God be merciful to me a sinner". Here's another good Bible quote re: The ongoing sanctifying work of the Holy Spirit, post conversion. Tell him God will only invest the time in him to make him good, if he turns himself in to God in the first place. If he is willing to confess, repent, and plead with God for mercy "a la the publican's prayer", then God is willing to make a new man out of him. The central question in all of this is of course, "does he REALLY WANT to become a new man in Christ?" That is perhaps his real but hidden personal dilemma. Hmmmmm. Hebrews 10:14 (New King James Version) 14 For by one offering He has perfected forever those who are being sanctified. If he comes honestly to Christ, confessing his sin, then as soon as God receives him he will immediately enjoy the "legal status" if you will, of being "PERFECTED FOREVER" in the eyes of a thrice holy God. God from that day forward will look at him through the covering of the blood of Christ, and that settles his status forever. He will belong to God at that point. Notice however the last part of the verse, the part about "BEING SANCTIFIED". This is the practical follow-up work of the Holy Spirit in the hearts and lives of all who have become the property of God. God WILL commence this work after salvation has been gained, and only then. Tell your friend that if he wants God's salvation, then he will have to get it Gods way. Salvation first, sanctification second. That's the way the Bible spells it out. There simply is no other way. Blessings in Christ and with prayers for your friend Paul |
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vanir 10-Aug-08, 07:27 |
Amen. |
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solascriptura 13-Apr-09, 19:56 |
It is about belief Observe the following Scriptures: John 3:15 so that whoever believes will in Him have eternal life. (Those believing will have eternal life) John 3:16 "For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life. (Notice all who believe do not perish) Not one word is mention on a person's deeds. We have eternal life by believing in the Son. Notice the following: John 5:24 "Truly, truly, I say to you, he who hears My word, and believes Him who sent Me, has eternal life, and does not come into judgment, but has passed out of death into life. (The believer does not come into judgment) John 5:45 "Do not think that I will accuse you before the Father; the one who accuses you is Moses, in whom you have set your hope. John 5:46 "For if you believed Moses, you would believe Me, for he wrote about Me. (The one accusing the non believing Jews is Moses, not Jesus) John 12:47 And if anyone hears My words and does not believe, I do not judge him; for I did not come to judge the world but to save the world. John 12:48 He who rejects Me, and does not receive My words, has that which judges him—the word that I have spoken will judge him in the last day. (Jesus says even non believers are not judged by Him but rather the words that He spoke will judge.) In the above scriptures we see a clear pattern of men not being judged on deeds and being worthy but always on belief in the Son. 28 Then they said to Him, “What shall we do, that we may work the works of God?” 29 Jesus answered and said to them, “This is the work of God, that you believe in Him whom He sent.” Notice in the most strongest statement concerning "works" what Jesus says, our work is to believe in Him! At the end of the day, when all is said and done, as we knock on heavens door, the question will be: Did you believe in Him whom I sent? |
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Good post! BP |
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chector 16-Jun-09, 05:36 |
Agreed! Kindest Regards Hector |
