The answer to this question is of utmost importance to all of mankind, because the primary purpose of our lives upon this earth, is the salvation of our souls.
Many believers do not understand how we are saved.
Few understand that we must be redeemed
from sin by the precious blood of Jesus Christ, the Son of God, and be reconciled with the Father, through Him; and then rest in Him, to be saved.
Some,
who have been called, and have come to the Lord Jesus, believe that they are saved by grace through faith; and some understand that they are being saved by grace through faith; but what is not generally understood is that faith, to be living, saving faith, must have works; and because of this misunderstanding of what are the works of faith (see study on:'Faith toward God' in 'First Principles'), many are missing the wonderful power
and privilage and experience of actually fellowshipping with God the Father and with His Son Jesus Christ our Lord, in Spirit and in Truth; in Their presence and peace and victory; and so are merely
believing in Him with blind, or dead faith, and trusting in what many preachers have called "simple faith", and the false doctrine of "only believe"; and so are not trying to work out their own salvation with fear and trembling, and so have
no hope of salvation, and will not be chosen to salvation.
Isaiah 30:15 For thus saith the Lord God, the Holy one of Israel; In returning and rest shall ye be saved; in quietness and confidence shall be your strength: and ye would not.
"And you would not" is referring to those many called who will not be chosen
for salvation, because they will not labour to enter into His rest; because they will not obey the Lord with living, saving faith, but are convinced that they are already saved by blind, dead faith; by simple
faith; by only believing; following many who preach "saved by grace without works", and surely grace is without works, of the law; but we are saved by grace through faith; and faith must have works of obedience. Those chosen to salvation
are those who deny self, take up our cross daily, die to our life in the world, forsake everything that we have, who abide in the vine, dwell in the secret spiritual place of the most High, who walk in the light, fellow-shipping
with the Father and with His Son Jesus Christ our Lord in Spirit and in truth, confessing our sins, mortifying the deeds of the flesh, putting off the old man and putting on the new, working out our own salvation with fear and trembling; those enduring unto
the end, receiving the end of our faith, the salvation of our souls; who labour to enter into, and rest in the ever-presence of the Spirit of the Son of God, Whom the
Father has sent into our hearts crying, Abba, Father; who are being conformed unto the image of the Son of God, and are following the ever present in-dwelling living Word of God in Spirit and in Truth, rather than following man's theological diverse,
divisive, doctrines about the written word.
Please understand that the Word of God is a two edged sword,
and doctrine is not to be concocted from one edge only. The full council of scripture, both edges of the sword, must be considered for true understanding (see study on:'Two edged sword' on this website). The truth is revealed by the Spirit of Truth unto those
who, from honest hearts are trying to walk with our Lord; to live in the presence of our Lord in Spirit and in Truth; not those who just "believe" that they are walking with, and living in the presence of, the Lord.
Luke 13:24 Strive to enter in at the strait gate: for many, I say unto you, will seek to enter in, and shall not be able.
Matthew 7:13 Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat: 14 Because strait is the gate, and
narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.
Matthew 22:14 For many are
called, but few are chosen.
Many are taught that because they believe, and have come
to the Lord Jesus, and are baptized into Him, that they are saved.
Many have been sprinkled with water as babies,
and their parents were led to believe that they were baptized, and would go to heaven when they died. (see study on: 'Doctrine of Baptisms" in 'First Principles'.
Matthew 24:4 And Jesus
answered and said unto them, Take heed that no man deceive you. 5 For many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ; and shall deceive many.
Luke
21:8 And he said, Take heed that ye be not deceived: for many shall come in my name, saying, I am Christ, and the time draweth near: go ye therefore not after them.
I pray that we will hear and see what the Word of God has to say; that we may love, and have
saving faith in, the Truth.
2Thessalonians 2.13 But we are bound to give thanks alway to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, because God has from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification (Gk; hag i as mos: purification, holiness) of the Spirit and belief (Gk; pis tis: persuasion, conviction, assaurance, faith) of the truth.
1Pet.1.2a Elect (Gk.Ek lek tos: Chosen) according to the foreknowledge
of God the Father, through sanctification of the Spirit
unto obedience, and the sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ:
So we are chosen to salvation by God,
through sanctification of the Spirit unto obedience and belief of, or faith in, the Truth, and the sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ.
John 3.14 And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, even so must the Son of man be lifted
up: 15 That whosoever believes in Him should not perish, but have eternal life. 16 For God
so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believes in Him should not preish, but have everlasting
life. 17 For God sent not His Son into the world to condem the world; but that the world through Him might be saved. 18 They that believe on Him are not condemned: but they that believe not are condemned already, because they have not believed in the name of the
only begotten Son of God.
Acts16.30 And he brought them out, and said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved? 31 And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you shall be
saved, and your house. 32 And they spoke unto him the Word of the Lord,
and to all that were in his house. 33 And he took them the same hour of the night, and washed their stripes; and was baptized,
he and all his, straitway. 34 And when he had brought them into his house, he set meat before them, and rejoiced, believing in
God with all his house.
They spoke unto them the Word of the Lord, the Gospel [for the Gospel is the power of God unto salvation (see study on 'the Gospel')],
and they were baptized.
Mark 16.15 And He (the Lord Jesus) said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the
gospel to every creature. 16 He that believes and is baptized
shall be saved; but he that believe not shall be damned.
(There are many who believe they can be saved without being baptized,
although the Lord Jesus has said, "He that
believes and is baptized shall be saved.) We must understand that the Word of the
Lord is a two edged sword; and we are not, as the many deceivers do, to make doctrine out
of some scriptures while ignoring others that qualify and clarify. (see study on 'the Two Edged Sword'.)
Jn.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.
Jn.3.5 Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water
and of the Spirit, he cannot enter into the
kingdom of God.
One can not be born again without dying
to the old life, being buried (in the water of baptism), and resurrected
unto new spiritual life, and baptised with God's Holy Spirit; thus being reconciled with God's spiritual life.
Baptism must be administered according to the true
doctrine of baptisms.(see 'Doctrine of Baptisms' in 'First Principles')
Jn.12.24 Verily, verily, I say unto you, Except a corn of wheat
fall unto the ground and die, it abides alone: but if it die, it brings forth much fruit. 25 He that loves his life shall lose it; and he that hates
his life in this world shall keep it unto eternal life.
Without the rebirth through baptism, one can not see, nor enter into the kingdom of God.
What does it mean, "Whosoever believes in Him ?"
Believe (Gk: pist eu' o:
to have faith.)
So it means, whosoever has faith in Him.
What does it mean, to have faith in Him ?
James 2.14 What does it profit, my brethren, though a man say he has
faith, and have not works ? can faith save him ? 15 If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food, 16 And one of you say unto them,
Depart in peace, be warmed and filled; notwithstanding you give them not those things which are needful to the body; what does it profit ? 17 Even so faith,
if it has not works, is dead, being alone. 18 Yes, a man may say, You have faith, and I have works: show me your faith without your works, and I will show you my faith
by my works. 19 You believe that there is one God: you do well: the devils also believe, and tremble. 20 But will you know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead ?
21 Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had
offered Isaac his son upon the altar? 22 See you how faith wrought with his works, and by
works was faith made perfect. 23 And the scripture was fulfilled which says,
Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the friend of God. 24 You see then how that by works a man is justified, and not
by faith only. 25 Likewise also was not Rahab the harlot justified by works, when she had received the messengers, and had sent them out another way ? 26 For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.
What are these works of faith ?
They are not works of the law.
They are not
works of self righteousness.
They are not good works.
They are not
the works of ministry.
They are obedience to the Lord.
Many "believers" do not understand works of faith; but are deceived into believing
that they are saved by grace through dead faith or blind faith; and cannot conceive of having to do any works of any kind for their salvation; completely ignoring Ph.2.12 Wherefore, my beloved, as you 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;
and
Mt.7.21 Not everyone that says to me Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but they that do the will of my Father which
is in heaven; (and many such scriptures.)
Many of the Called are being deceived by many that come in the name of the Lord, that the work of faith is to "only believe", thus deceiving them into
relying on blind or dead faith for their salvation. They are taugh, by the many deceivers, to believe that every word of scripture applies to them; whether they do it, or follow it, or obey it, or qualify for it, or are worthy of it; they are taught "only
believe it" to receive it. These many deceivers are teaching a blind faith, one edged sword theology, ignoring the other edge that teaches that we must obey, do, follow, deny self, die to our life in the world, forsake
every thing that we have, submit to God, resist the devil, abide in the Vine, wait upon the Lord, walk in the Light, dwell in the secret place of the most High, confess our sins, forgive others, love God with all of our heart, soul, mind and strength, love
our neighbour, love one another, work out our own salvation with fear and trembling, and much such wonderful wisdom.
If
we do not obey the Lord, then He is not our Lord.
Ro.5.19 For as by one man's disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of One shall many be made righteous.
Heb.5.8 Though He were a Son, yet learned He obedience by the things which He suffered; 9 And being made perfect, He became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey Him;
It is through the living faith of obedience; the obedience unto death, even the death of the cross, that Jesus made it possible for many to be made righteous.
Ph.2.8 And being found in fasion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the
death of the cross. 9 Wherefore God also has highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: 10 That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under
the earth; 11 And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. 12 Wherefore, my beloved, 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 (of the Lord) and trembling (at His Word).
Heb.5.8 Though He were a Son, yet learned He obedience by the things which He
suffered; 9 And being made perfect, He became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey Him;
To have living, saving faith; the faith of Abraham, we must obey the Lord.
Gen 22.16 ...... By myself have I sworn, saith the Lord, for because thou hast done
this thing, and hast not withheld thy son, thine only son, 17 That in blessing I will bless thee, and in multiplying I will multiply thy seed as the stars of the heaven, and as the sand which is upon the sea shore; and thy seed shall posess
the gate of his enemies; 18 And in thy seed shall all the nations of the earth be blessed; because thou hast obeyed my voice.
If we do not obey
Him, He is not our Lord.
If we do not obey the Lord, He is not
our Lord, and we are taking His name in vain, and in vain will we call unto Him,"Lord, Lord", on the day of judgement.
Philippians 2.12 Wherefore, my beloved,
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. (this written to the Philippian saints; not to all those who have been deceived into believing
that they are saints; but to the saints obedient
in Christ Jesus; those overcomers following Him; those walking with Him and waiting upon Him; those remaining in His
ever-presence, those abiding in the Vine, those dwelling in the secret place of the Most High, in Spirit and in Truth and in righteousness unto holiness.)
2Th.2.13 But we are bound to give thanks alway to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, because God has from the beginning chosen you to salvation through sanctification (Gk; hag i as' mos; purification, holiness) of the Spirit and belief of the truth (not belief in false doctrine).
1Pet.1:15 But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation; 16 Because it is written, be ye holy; for I am holy.
Proverbs 9:10 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom: and the knowledge of the holy is understanding.
When we realize that we have been called unto holiness,
then we understand.
Heb.12:14 Follow peace with all men, and holiness, without which no man shall see the Lord (see study on; 'Holiness' and 'Resting in the Lord').
For without peace there can be no holiness; for it is the God of Peace which sanctifies us wholly; (1Thes.5:23a And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly); and without holiness no one will see the Lord. [When the Lord returns, at His second appearance,
when every eye shall see Him; the Holy will see the Lord; the unholy will see the Judge, and call upon the mountains and the rocks to fall upon them and hide
them from the face of Him that sits upon the throne of Judgement (see study on: 'The Return of the Lord')]. I believe that all who die in righteousness, will be resurrected unto holiness at the appearance of the Lord (see study on:'Holiness').
We must love Truth that we might be saved.
2Th.2.10 And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in
them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth that they might be saved.
To receive the love of the truth, we must love God: and if we love God, we obey God.
Jn.14.15 If you love me, keep my commandments.
Matthew 7.21 Not everyone that says unto Me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but they that do the will of My Father which is in heaven. 22 Many will say to Me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Your name ? and in Your name have cast out devils ? and in Your name done many wonderful works ? 23 And
then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from Me, you that work iniquity. 24 Therefore whosoever hears these sayings of mine, and does them, I will liken him to 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. 26 And everyone that hears these sayings of mine, and does them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which
built his house upon the sand: 27 And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell: and great was the fall of it.
James 1.22 But be you doers of the Word and not hearers
only, deceiving your own selves.
1Peter 1.2 Elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through sanctification of the Spirit unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ: Grace unto you, and peace, be multiplied.
(through sanctification of the Spirit, unto obedience and sprinkling of the blood of Jesus Christ.)
Why are so many "believers" deceived into believing that they are saved without any works whatsoever ?
There are many teachers who teach another gospel; "the gospel of grace alone". Salvation by grace through blind or
dead faith; teaching that the works of faith are to cease from any works whatsoever and to "only believe".
There are many scriptures that,
to the natural mind, seem to be saying this.
Ephesians 2.8 For by grace are you saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.
Romans 4.2 For if Abraham were justified by works, he had whereof to glory; but not before God. 3 For what says the scripture ? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness. 4 Now to him that works is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt. 5 But to him that works not, but believes on Him that justifies the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.
It must be understood that the works refered to in these
scriptures are works of the law; and not the works of faith.
Herein an example of the sharp two edged sword becomes apparent, (see study on 'the Two Edged Sword'): in this case, works of the law, is one edge, the other, is works of faith.
Men have concocted false doctrines by receiving one edge of the sharp two edged sword, while ignoring the other; (because they can't intellectually fit both edges together), eg.,
Paul, in Romans 4.2,
is saying that Abraham was not justified by works.
James, in James 2.21, is saying Abraham was justified
by works.
To receive truth, both edges of the sword have to be fitted together.
In
Romans 4.2, Paul is speaking of works of the law: and in James 2.21, James is speaking of works of faith.
Please understand this; your eternal salvation depends upon belief of the truth.
John Wesley understood it perfectly: "We can not be saved by works (of the law);
neither can we be saved without works (of faith)".
Romans 10.9 That if you shall confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus, and shall believe in your heart that God has raised
Him from the dead, you shall be saved. 10 For with the heart man believes unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.
If we confess with our mouth the Lord Jesus,
and He is not our Lord, because we do not obey Him, then our confession is false. If we
believe in our mind, and not in our heart that God has raised Him from the dead; then we will not take up our cross daily, die to our
life in the world, nor deny self, nor forsake everything that we have:
all of which are required by Him to become His followers. (Mark8:34 And when He had called the people unto Him with His disiples also, He said unto them, Whosoever will come after me, let him deny
himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me. 35 For whosoever will save his life shall lose it; but whosoever shall lose his life for my sake and the gospel's,
the same shall save it. 36 For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? 37 Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?)
Romans 10.13 For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.
Once again, if we do not obey
Him, He is not our Lord, and we will not be saved.
Matthew 7.21 Not everyone that says to Me, Lord, Lord,
shall enter the kingdom of heaven; but they that do the will of My Father which is in heaven.
It should also be noted that these scriptures are saying," Shall be saved":
this is future tense.
Jesus said, in Matthew 24.13 But they that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.
1Peter 1.9 Receiving the
end of your faith, even the salvation of your souls.
Salvation is of hope.
Romans 8.24 For we are saved by hope: but hope that is seen is not hope: for what a man sees, why does he yet hope for ? 25 But if we hope for what we see not, then we do with patience wait for it.
Philippians 3.8 Yes doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ, 9 And be
found in Him, not having my own righteousness which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith. (living faith).
Isaiah 30.15a For thus saith the Lord God, the Holy One of Israel;
In returning and rest
shall ye be saved; 15b in quietness and confidence shall be your strength: 15c and ye would not.
In returning unto Him, through the redeeming blood of the Lamb of God, our Lord
and Saviour, Jesus Christ; and our resting in Him, shall we be saved, saith the Lord God, the Holy One of Israel.
(See study on 'Resting in the Lord'.)
We need to rest
in the Lord, to abide in the Vine, and then cease from all our own
works (see study on 'Repentance from dead works' in 'First Principles')) ), and let Him sanctify us. He does not force anything upon
us, because He has given us free will, and it is up to us to labour to enter into His rest, and then
the God of Peace will sanctify us wholly, unto holiness.
Isaiah 30:15c and you would not (speaks of the many called who will not do the will of God, and so will not be chosen).
The many
who are called, and not chosen, are deceived into believing that all they have to do to be saved is to "believe" and "rest in the finished work of the cross": not perceiving that the finished work of the cross is redemption, and not salvation.
Eph.1:7 In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the
riches of his grace;
Col.1:14 In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins:
Heb.9:12b But by his own blood
he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us.
Rev.5:9b for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God, by thy blood
Rom.5:9 Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him.
2Pet1:2a Elect according to the foreknowledge of God the Father,
through sanctification of the Spirit, unto obedience, and the
sprinkling of the blood of Jesus christ:
The many called and not chosen for salvation have a religeous form of Godliness, but are denying the power therof; trusting in their own understanding of doctrine about the written word, and following their own paths; rather than
trusting in the ever-present Lord with all of our heart; acknowledging that He is with us in all of our ways, and letting Him direct our paths.
The many called, who will not be chosen, do not see the Word of God as living, powerful,
and sharper than any two edged sword (see study on 'Two Edged Sword'); but see the Word through the blunt sword of intellect and reason, and see only one side of the sword of the Lord:
concocting a doctrine and a counterfeit christianity from one edge only, while ignoring the other; thus misinterpreting the one edge that they do notice.
eg., saved
by grace without works.
Ignoring, saved by grace through faith,
and, faith must have works.
and, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.
and, only they who do the will of God shall enter the kingdom of heaven.
and, Col.1.23a
If
you continue in the faith grounded and settled, and be not moved away from the hope of the gospel,
If we continue
in the living faith grounded and settled (in the truth), and be not moved away from the hope of the gospel.
[The gospel is the power of God unto salvation.] (see study on 'the Gospel').
Heb.3.14 For we are made partakers of Christ, if we hold fast the beginning of our confidence steadfast unto the end.
Consider the words of Paul to the Corinthian church, to them that are sanctified
in Christ Jesus, called to be saints:
1Cor.9.24 Know ye not that they that run in a race run all, but one receives the
prize? So run that ye may obtain. 25 And every man that strives for the mastery is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a corruptible crown; but we an incorruptible.
26 I therefore so run, not as uncertainly; so fight I, not as one that beats the air: 27 But I keep under my body (I keep my body under), and bring
it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway.
Consider the words of Paul to the Philippian Saints:
Ph.3.7 But what things were gain for me, those I counted loss for Christ. 8 Yes doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of
the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ,
9 And be found in him, not having my own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is of God
by faith: 10 That I might know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his suffering, being made conformable unto his death; 11 If by any means I
might attain unto the resurrection of the dead. 12 Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect: but I follow after, if that I may apprehend (Gk:kat al am ban o;
to attain, to posess) that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus. 13 Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended:
but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, 14 I press toward the mark for the prize of the high
calling of God in Christ Jesus. 15 Let us therefore, as many as be perfect, be thus minded: and if in any thing ye be otherwise minded, God shall reveal even this unto you. 16 Nevertheless,
whereto we have already attained, let us walk by the same rule, let us mind the same thing. 17 Brethren, be followers together of me, and mark them which walk so as you have us for an
example. 18 (For many walk, of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ: 19 Whose end is destruction, whose
God is their belly, and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things.) 20 For our conversation (community) is in heaven; from whence also we look for the
Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ: 21 Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the working whereby he is able even to subdue all things unto himself. Hallelujah!!!
Consider the words of Paul to those Romans, beloved of God, called to be saints, and whose
faith was spoken of throughout the whole world:
Ro.11. 20 Well; because of unbelief they were broken off, and thou standeth by faith. be not
highminded but fear: 21 For if God spared not the natural branches, take heed that He also spare not thee. 22 Behold the goodness and severity of God on them which fell, severity; but toward thee goodness,
if thou continue in His goodness: otherwise thou also shalt be cut off.
Heb.5.8 Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered; 9 And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey Him;
Heb.10.36 For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise.
Rom.4.3
For what says the scripture? Abraham believed God (had faith in God; obeyed God), and it was accounted unto him for righteousness. 4 Now to him that works (works of the law; works of self righteousness) is the reward not
reconed of grace, but of debt. 5 Now to him that works not (of the law, nor of self righteousness) but believes on (has living faith in; obeys) him that justifies the ungodly, his faith (living faith; obedience) is counted
for righteousness.
Righteousness is of Faith.
Rom.4.13 For the promise, that he should be heir of the world, was not to Abraham, or to his seed, through the law, but through the righteousness of faith.
Gal.5.5 For we through the Spirit wait for the hope of righteousness by Faith.
Ph.3.9. And be found in him, not having my own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of
God by faith.
To love God, is to obey God.
Jn.14.15 If you love me, keep my commandments.
1Jn.5.2 By this we know that we love the children of God, when we love God, and keep his commandments. 3 For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous. (see study on 'Law and Commandments').
Do not be deceived and robbed of the eternal salvation of your soul, by those many who teach salvation through blind or dead faith,who
teach that we are already saved, who do not see salvation as a hope, who do not see salvation as the end of our Faith, or as a promise,
who do not try to work out their own salvation with fear and trembling, who do not believe that they that endure unto the end shall be saved; and who
have no hope of salvation themselves, and, except they repent and turn to the Truth, will not be chosen to salvation.
1Pet.1.13 Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus
Christ. (revelation: the appearance). 14a As obedient children,
A warning.
Mt.7.21.Not every one that says unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but
they that do the will of my Father which is in heaven. 22 Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name ? and in thy name have cast out devils ? and in
thy name done many wonderful works ? 23 And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, you that work iniquity (see study on: 'Workers of Iniquity').
2Th.2.7a For the mystery of iniquity does already work:
2Th.2.10 And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness (Gk: ad i ki a; unjustness, iniquity) in them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved. 11 And for this cause God shall send
them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie: 12 That they all might be damned who believe not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness (unjustness, iniquity).
Ezekiel 33:13 When I shall say to the righteous, that he shall surely live: if he trust in his own righteousness, and commit iniquity, all his righteousness
shall not be remembered; but for his iniquity that he hath committed, he shall die for it.
The many who
are called and who will not be chosen, have been led to believe the lie that they are saved and sinless and have therefore no need for works of faith, and no further need of repentance and confession of sin; and
so are taking pleasure in and celerbating their assumed salvation in an unforgiven, unrighteous and iniquitious, unjust state; repeating the spurious mantra, "Once saved, always saved". And because of this, God Himself will send them strong delusion.
Beware.
1Jn.1.8 If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. 9 If we confess
our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. (please note that John included himself in this teaching).
Mt.6.33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and His righteousness; and all
these things shall be added unto thee.
Is.30.15a For thus saith the Lord God, the Holy One of Israel; In returning and rest shall you be saved;
Labour to enter into His rest, and let the God of Peace sanctify you wholly.
(See study on: 'Resting in the
Lord'.)
(See study on: 'Holiness'.)
Many are called, few are chosen.
Fear God!
Love God.
Obey God.
Work out
your own salvation, with fear and trembling.
I pray that all of God's people will have open spiritual ears to hear and eyes to perceive, and have the living faith to do
the will of God, in Christ jesus, Amen! Amen?