They think that they are saved from the punishments for sins while they yet enjoy sins. But as long as someone is sinning, they are not saved from punishment. Jesus Christ saves his people from their sins. He gives grace to those who want to overcome sins. God's grace destroys sin.
The Bible often reminds that God is the most holy righteous judge, who judges without any partiality. But Christians think that God, who supposed to be the righteous judge, will save them from the punishment for sin while they are committing sins. But according to the Bible, God does not save anybody from hell while they commit sin. God gave his only begotten Son for the world. God saves those who come to him, believing him (believed what the Son has said) and obeying him. Only those who do the work of God (in truth) come to the light, which is Jesus Christ, so that God shall save them. "John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. 21 But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God."
Matt 4:23 Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom. Mark 16:15 He said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel ---.
1. Salvation is from Sin
Jesus Christ saves his people from their sins. "Matt 1:21--- thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins." He gives grace to those who believe him so that they could overcome their sins with grace and thus be saved. "Rom 5:21 That as sin hath reigned unto death, even so might grace reign through righteousness unto eternal life by Jesus Christ our Lord." Grace is just one thing but a combination of "the doctrine, power and abiding of God", given to believers in order to overcome sins (flesh, world and Satan). This overcoming is the Salvation of God. Those who overcame by the grace of God are saved from their sins.
2. Born Again
A person is born with soul and body. Until he receives the spirit of man he is considered as dead person (spiritually) and he lives in trespasses and sins. As he is convicted of his sins and repented sincerely with all his soul, God gives him the spirit of man so that he may live a spiritual life. At this point he is born again. "John 3:3 Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. 6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit." Then he receives the grace of God, which is the "doctrine, power and abiding of God." He is enabled by the power of grace to obey the doctrine of God. He obeys the commandments of God, and is loved by Jesus Christ. His commandments are not hard to do if we want to obey them. "1 John 5:3 For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous." As he obeys, Jesus Christ and God the Father loves him and abides with him. "John 14:15 If ye love me, keep my commandments. 21 He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me:---. 23 Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him." As they abide in a person, he/she cannot and will not commit sin. "1 John 3:5 And ye know that he was manifested to take away our sins; and in him is no sin. 6 Whosoever abideth in him sinneth not --- 9 Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God." Thus he is saved from his sins by the abiding of God.
3. Saved by Grace
Saved by grace is also explained in these verses. "Eph 2:1 And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins; 2 Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience: 3 Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others. 4 But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, 5 Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;)." Those who commit sin are considered as dead (spiritually). Then God quickens them (brings them to life) from the dead. Dead is living in sin and life is living without sin. So now they are saved, which is living without sin. Second verse describes their past life while they were living in sin. Third verse describes their past life while they had fellowship with sinners. Verses 4 & 5 say that God raised him from the life of sin, which was death, to the life of Christ, which is life. This is salvation. Previously they were committing sins as well as having fellowship with sinners. Now their life is with Christ, which is without sin. This is summarized as “by grace ye are saved”. This is the salvation of God. God saved them.
4. Jesus preached Repentance
Jesus Christ preached repentance as the first condition so that we may have a part with the kingdom of heaven. "Matt 4:17 From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand." Apostle Paul also confirms that God commands everybody to repent. "Acts 17:30 And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent:" At the revelation, Jesus Christ visited Apostle John and sent messages to the Churches requiring them to repent in order to be saved. "Rev 2:5 Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent. 16 Repent; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will fight against them with the sword of my mouth. 21 And I gave her space to repent of her fornication; and she repented not. 22 Behold, I will cast her into a bed, and them that commit adultery with her into great tribulation, except they repent of their deeds. Rev 3:3 Remember therefore how thou hast received and heard, and hold fast, and repent. If therefore thou shalt not watch, I will come on thee as a thief, and thou shalt not know what hour I will come upon thee. 19 As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent." Without repentance there will be no salvation. We can have an integral part in saving others also if we have the compassion of God. "Jude 1:22 And of some have compassion, making a difference: 23 And others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire; hating even the garment spotted by the flesh."
5. What we should do to be Saved?
As Jesus Christ was teaching his disciple to pray, he imposed a condition of forgiveness. After completing the prayer he brought this one condition again to re-emphasize that God will not forgive them unless we forgive others. "Matt 6:12 And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. 14 For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you: 15 But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses."
We must have faith in order to be saved. "Eph 2:8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: ---." Salvation will be given to only those who obey the doctrine of Jesus Christ. "Heb 5:9 --- he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him;" God wants sinners to confess their sins and to walk in the light as God is in the light so that God may forgive them and clean their unrighteousness. "1 John 1:7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin. 9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." We must obey the doctrine of God, stop serving sin and start obeying righteousness, in order to be saved from sin. "Rom 6:17 But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you. 18 Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness." We have to strive hard to become saved. "Luke 13:23 Then said one unto him, Lord, are there few that be saved? And he said unto them, 24 Strive to enter in at the strait gate: for many, I say unto you, will seek to enter in, and shall not be able." We have to work out our own salvation with fear and trembling. "Phil 2:12 --- as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling." We must endure until the end to be saved. "Matt 24:13 But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved." We have to yield the fruit of holiness in our life in order to receive everlasting life. "Rom 6:22 But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life."
6. Who is a sinner?
Jesus Christ says, whosoever commit sin is the servant of sin. "John 8:34 Jesus answered them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whosoever committeth sin is the servant of sin." Apostle Paul writes that whoever serve sin is a sinner and they will reap what they sow. "Rom 6:16 Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness? Gal 6:7 Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. 8 For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting." Apostle Peter writes that if you are overcome by sin then you are slave to sin. "2 Pet 2:19 While they promise them liberty, they themselves are the servants of corruption: for of whom a man is overcome, of the same is he brought in bondage." Apostle John writes that whoever sins is of the devil. "1 John 3:8 He that committeth sin is of the devil; ---." Apostle James asks you to be the doer of the word so that it will save your soul. "James 1:21 Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls. 22 But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves." But Satan and his servants deceive people saying that we are saved while we are yet sinning. Do not be deceived by the devil or by his servants. "2 Cor 11:13 For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ. 14 And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. 15 Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works." Jesus Christ came to destroy the work of the devil. "1 John 3:8 --- for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil." He shall save his people from their sins. "Matt 1:21 --- thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins." His people are those who obey him and follow his steps.
7. Conclusion
Let us not be deceived. Salvation of God is freedom from sin itself. Our righteous living will bring us eternal reward. "Rev 22:12 And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be." One of the reward for our righteous works will be the privilege to be seated in the very throne of God to judge and to rule with God. "Rev 3:21 To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne." Why don't we go for it? It is the good pleasure of God to give the kingdom to his little flock, which follows him wherever he goes. "John 10:27 My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: Luke 12:32 Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom."
The Bible often reminds that God is the most holy righteous judge, who judges without any partiality. But Christians think that God, who supposed to be the righteous judge, will save them from the punishment for sin while they are committing sins. But according to the Bible, God does not save anybody from hell while they commit sin. God gave his only begotten Son for the world. God saves those who come to him, believing him (believed what the Son has said) and obeying him. Only those who do the work of God (in truth) come to the light, which is Jesus Christ, so that God shall save them. "John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. 21 But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God."
Matt 4:23 Jesus went about all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom. Mark 16:15 He said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel ---.
1. Salvation is from Sin
Jesus Christ saves his people from their sins. "Matt 1:21--- thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins." He gives grace to those who believe him so that they could overcome their sins with grace and thus be saved. "Rom 5:21 That as sin hath reigned unto death, even so might grace reign through righteousness unto eternal life by Jesus Christ our Lord." Grace is just one thing but a combination of "the doctrine, power and abiding of God", given to believers in order to overcome sins (flesh, world and Satan). This overcoming is the Salvation of God. Those who overcame by the grace of God are saved from their sins.
2. Born Again
A person is born with soul and body. Until he receives the spirit of man he is considered as dead person (spiritually) and he lives in trespasses and sins. As he is convicted of his sins and repented sincerely with all his soul, God gives him the spirit of man so that he may live a spiritual life. At this point he is born again. "John 3:3 Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God. 6 That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit." Then he receives the grace of God, which is the "doctrine, power and abiding of God." He is enabled by the power of grace to obey the doctrine of God. He obeys the commandments of God, and is loved by Jesus Christ. His commandments are not hard to do if we want to obey them. "1 John 5:3 For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous." As he obeys, Jesus Christ and God the Father loves him and abides with him. "John 14:15 If ye love me, keep my commandments. 21 He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me:---. 23 Jesus answered and said unto him, If a man love me, he will keep my words: and my Father will love him, and we will come unto him, and make our abode with him." As they abide in a person, he/she cannot and will not commit sin. "1 John 3:5 And ye know that he was manifested to take away our sins; and in him is no sin. 6 Whosoever abideth in him sinneth not --- 9 Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God." Thus he is saved from his sins by the abiding of God.
3. Saved by Grace
Saved by grace is also explained in these verses. "Eph 2:1 And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins; 2 Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience: 3 Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others. 4 But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us, 5 Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved;)." Those who commit sin are considered as dead (spiritually). Then God quickens them (brings them to life) from the dead. Dead is living in sin and life is living without sin. So now they are saved, which is living without sin. Second verse describes their past life while they were living in sin. Third verse describes their past life while they had fellowship with sinners. Verses 4 & 5 say that God raised him from the life of sin, which was death, to the life of Christ, which is life. This is salvation. Previously they were committing sins as well as having fellowship with sinners. Now their life is with Christ, which is without sin. This is summarized as “by grace ye are saved”. This is the salvation of God. God saved them.
4. Jesus preached Repentance
Jesus Christ preached repentance as the first condition so that we may have a part with the kingdom of heaven. "Matt 4:17 From that time Jesus began to preach, and to say, Repent: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand." Apostle Paul also confirms that God commands everybody to repent. "Acts 17:30 And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent:" At the revelation, Jesus Christ visited Apostle John and sent messages to the Churches requiring them to repent in order to be saved. "Rev 2:5 Remember therefore from whence thou art fallen, and repent, and do the first works; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will remove thy candlestick out of his place, except thou repent. 16 Repent; or else I will come unto thee quickly, and will fight against them with the sword of my mouth. 21 And I gave her space to repent of her fornication; and she repented not. 22 Behold, I will cast her into a bed, and them that commit adultery with her into great tribulation, except they repent of their deeds. Rev 3:3 Remember therefore how thou hast received and heard, and hold fast, and repent. If therefore thou shalt not watch, I will come on thee as a thief, and thou shalt not know what hour I will come upon thee. 19 As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent." Without repentance there will be no salvation. We can have an integral part in saving others also if we have the compassion of God. "Jude 1:22 And of some have compassion, making a difference: 23 And others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire; hating even the garment spotted by the flesh."
5. What we should do to be Saved?
As Jesus Christ was teaching his disciple to pray, he imposed a condition of forgiveness. After completing the prayer he brought this one condition again to re-emphasize that God will not forgive them unless we forgive others. "Matt 6:12 And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. 14 For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you: 15 But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses."
We must have faith in order to be saved. "Eph 2:8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: ---." Salvation will be given to only those who obey the doctrine of Jesus Christ. "Heb 5:9 --- he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him;" God wants sinners to confess their sins and to walk in the light as God is in the light so that God may forgive them and clean their unrighteousness. "1 John 1:7 But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin. 9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness." We must obey the doctrine of God, stop serving sin and start obeying righteousness, in order to be saved from sin. "Rom 6:17 But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you. 18 Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness." We have to strive hard to become saved. "Luke 13:23 Then said one unto him, Lord, are there few that be saved? And he said unto them, 24 Strive to enter in at the strait gate: for many, I say unto you, will seek to enter in, and shall not be able." We have to work out our own salvation with fear and trembling. "Phil 2:12 --- as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling." We must endure until the end to be saved. "Matt 24:13 But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved." We have to yield the fruit of holiness in our life in order to receive everlasting life. "Rom 6:22 But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life."
6. Who is a sinner?
Jesus Christ says, whosoever commit sin is the servant of sin. "John 8:34 Jesus answered them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whosoever committeth sin is the servant of sin." Apostle Paul writes that whoever serve sin is a sinner and they will reap what they sow. "Rom 6:16 Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness? Gal 6:7 Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap. 8 For he that soweth to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that soweth to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting." Apostle Peter writes that if you are overcome by sin then you are slave to sin. "2 Pet 2:19 While they promise them liberty, they themselves are the servants of corruption: for of whom a man is overcome, of the same is he brought in bondage." Apostle John writes that whoever sins is of the devil. "1 John 3:8 He that committeth sin is of the devil; ---." Apostle James asks you to be the doer of the word so that it will save your soul. "James 1:21 Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls. 22 But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves." But Satan and his servants deceive people saying that we are saved while we are yet sinning. Do not be deceived by the devil or by his servants. "2 Cor 11:13 For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ. 14 And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. 15 Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works." Jesus Christ came to destroy the work of the devil. "1 John 3:8 --- for the devil sinneth from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, that he might destroy the works of the devil." He shall save his people from their sins. "Matt 1:21 --- thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins." His people are those who obey him and follow his steps.
7. Conclusion
Let us not be deceived. Salvation of God is freedom from sin itself. Our righteous living will bring us eternal reward. "Rev 22:12 And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be." One of the reward for our righteous works will be the privilege to be seated in the very throne of God to judge and to rule with God. "Rev 3:21 To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne." Why don't we go for it? It is the good pleasure of God to give the kingdom to his little flock, which follows him wherever he goes. "John 10:27 My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: Luke 12:32 Fear not, little flock; for it is your Father's good pleasure to give you the kingdom."
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