The Only Way to Eternal Salvation

[Tan]

Over the years many have taught various ways to receive everlasting life. No wonder the world is full of so many denominations. All of these different doctrines, seemingly coming from the bible, tend only to confuse people. Most people don't know what to believe and simply choose not to attend any church. Nevertheless, the bible speaks of only one way to get eternal salvation. "One Lord, one faith, one baptism" (Ephesians 4:5). The next time someone asks you what faith you are, tell them there's only one faith. The road to eternal salvation starts with knowledge of the Holy Scriptures. God doesn't want us to memorize two or three verses, but instead he left the entire bible so we can learn how to get salvation. If we learn it, believe it and obey it (the bible), salvation will be our reward. Before you can start any task you must first know about it and without the key of knowledge we are lost. "...thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make the wise unto salvation..." (II Timothy 4:15). However, with all the various doctrines (teachings) it's hard to know which road to take. Many claim that it really doesn't matter saying, "you serve God your way and I'll serve God my way." Since the Lord is the author of eternal salvation we can only obtain it by serving him his way (Hebrews 5:9). Some choose to rely on the wisdom of their pastor by putting his word above God's word. Nevertheless, in judgment each one of us will give account for our own salvation. Therefore, we must not let anyone lead us down the wrong path, but should verify all of our teaching with the holy bible. YOUR SALVATION IS AT STAKE! "...work out your own salvation with fear and trembling" (Philippians 2:12). Jesus warned us that the road to salvation is straight and narrow and that only a few of us will find it. Many are traveling down the wrong road, which leads to destruction. This is because many of us have heard about salvation but few of us want to do what is necessary to get salvation (many are called but few are chosen). Many contend that Jesus did it all and now all we have to do is have faith. The bible says, we must not only be a hearer of the word, but a doer of the word also (James 1:21-22). DON'T FOOL YOURSELF! If we really have faith in Jesus our actions will prove it. If Jesus is our Lord then we will obey him. Even a child will obey a parent, by getting good grades in school, for the reward of a new bicycle. The child cannot earn money for the bicycle, but instead must act upon their faith to receive the free gift. We must do the same to receive eternal life. "FAITH WITHOUT WORKS IS DEAD"(James 2:20).

 

[xino]

agree with all you said.

people will come here with their false garbage "once saved always saved"
they basically don't want to live their life for Jesus but want to live their own life.

they don't know we are all running a race, the race is tough and difficult

 

[moment_of_faith]

John 10:27 My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. 28 I give them eternal life, and they will never perish. No one can snatch them away from me, 29 for my Father has given them to me, and he is more powerful than anyone else.[d] No one can snatch them from the Father’s hand. 30 The Father and I are one.”

 

[NarrowRoadDisciple]

A very important passage in scripture as well: Hebrews 5:5-11
A Priest Forever

5 So also Christ did not glorify Himself to become High Priest, but it was He who said to Him:
“You are My Son,
Today I have begotten You.”[a]

6 As He also says in another place:
“You are a priest forever
According to the order of Melchizedek”;[b]

7 who, in the days of His flesh, when He had offered up prayers and supplications, with vehement cries and tears to Him who was able to save Him from death, and was heard because of His godly fear, 8 though He was a Son, yet He learned obedience by the things which He suffered. 9 And having been perfected, He became the author of eternal salvation to all who obey Him, 10 called by God as High Priest “according to the order of Melchizedek,” 11 of whom we have much to say, and hard to explain, since you have become dull of hearing.


Obedience does seem to be key here

 

[Tan]

agree with all you said.

people will come here with their false garbage "once saved always saved"
they basically don't want to live their life for Jesus but want to live their own life.

they don't know we are all running a race, the race is tough and difficult

Your right, the thing is people look over the word repent. Jesus said in Luke 5:32 - I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance. We have false teachers telling people, come as they are.

 

[Tan]

A very important passage in scripture as well: Hebrews 5:5-11
A Priest Forever

5 So also Christ did not glorify Himself to become High Priest, but it was He who said to Him:
“You are My Son,
Today I have begotten You.”[a]

6 As He also says in another place:
“You are a priest forever
According to the order of Melchizedek”;[b]

7 who, in the days of His flesh, when He had offered up prayers and supplications, with vehement cries and tears to Him who was able to save Him from death, and was heard because of His godly fear, 8 though He was a Son, yet He learned obedience by the things which He suffered. 9 And having been perfected, He became the author of eternal salvation to all who obey Him, 10 called by God as High Priest “according to the order of Melchizedek,” 11 of whom we have much to say, and hard to explain, since you have become dull of hearing.


Obedience does seem to be key here

I like that word Obedience, thats it, thats the key word. Paul said in Romans 16:26 - But now is made manifest, and by the scriptures of the prophets, according to the commandment of the everlasting God, made known to all nations for the obedience of faith:

 

[Tan]

Some say you must obey God's word, but then they turn around and teach contrary to God's word. At best they never get around to explaining exactly what kind of works are needed to get eternal life. A man asked Jesus this very question, "...What good thing shall I do that I may have eternal life?", and Jesus replied, "... KEEP THE COMMANDMENTS" (Matthew 19:16-19).

This was a direct answer to a direct question, which all of us will do well to take heed to. Anybody can claim to have faith, but actions speak louder than words. Faith and works go together and you can't have one without the other. "Here is the patience of the saints; here are they that keep the commandments of God and the faith of Jesus" (Revelation 14:12).

True saints realize that God's law must be obeyed to receive eternal life.
Why does the bible seem to teach that the law has been done away with, if we must still keep the commandments? When the bible speaks of laws we no longer have to keep, it is speaking of the sacrificial laws. These laws were a school master pointing us to the fact that Jesus would be sacrificed for our sins. Since Jesus died we are no longer under a school master, (required to offer up bulls and goats for our sins). Now we must believe (have faith) Jesus died for us (Hebrews 10:4,9-10). This doesn't mean we don't have to obey God's moral laws of conduct. That would be like a man getting paroled from prison and then ignoring the same laws that sent him to prison in the first place. Jesus only died once, so if we willingly break God's law, after accepting Jesus, our reward will be eternal damnation (Hebrews 10:26-27). Let us avoid this at all costs, seeking a better reward. Jesus will return real soon and reward us all according to our works (Revelation 22:12). Throughout the bible we find that in order to receive eternal salvation we must keep God's commandments to the end. If we make a mistake we must not give up, but continue to strive for the prize (Philippians 3:13-14). The last chapter in the whole bible reminds us of this one last time. "Blessed are they that do his commandments that they may have right to the tree of life." (Revelation 22:14). After this we find only seven more verses in the bible, and none of them does away with God's commandments. The commandments of God are not hard to keep (I John 5:3) and furthermore, they teach us love in the highest degree. If you love Jesus you will keep his commandments (St. John 14:15). You will not displease the Lord by: Worshipping other gods, having graven images, taking his name in vain, breaking his Sabbath day (which is Saturday not Sunday), or dishonoring your parents. On the other hand, if you love your neighbor as yourself you will not kill him, commit adultery with his spouse, steal from him, falsely accuse him, or covet anything of his. This is true love, and if obeyed how much better would our world be? This is why Jesus said that the two greatest commandments are loving the Lord with all your heart, soul, and mind; and loving your neighbor as yourself (Matthew 22:35-40). These two commandments are the foundation of the entire law. Many reject the law, but it is HOLY, JUST AND GOOD (Romans 7:12) even today.

Do not let anyone convince you that it's wrong to keep God's commandments. Don't let anyone deprive you of the opportunity to receive eternal life. We were deprived of this opportunity once, but the death of Jesus has given us another chance. All have sinned (broken the law...I John 3:4) and the wages of sin is death. When Jesus (the true Lamb of God) was sacrificed, he removed our sins. If we accept Jesus as our sin offering, we are required to repent and get baptized IN THE NAME OF JESUS ("there is none other name under heaven given among men whereby we must be saved..." ( Acts 4: 12). This is our last chance.Israel,

 

[DiscipleDave]

Over the years many have taught various ways to receive everlasting life. No wonder the world is full of so many denominations. All of these different doctrines, seemingly coming from the bible, tend only to confuse people. Most people don't know what to believe and simply choose not to attend any church. Nevertheless, the bible speaks of only one way to get eternal salvation. "One Lord, one faith, one baptism" (Ephesians 4:5). The next time someone asks you what faith you are, tell them there's only one faith. The road to eternal salvation starts with knowledge of the Holy Scriptures. God doesn't want us to memorize two or three verses, but instead he left the entire bible so we can learn how to get salvation. If we learn it, believe it and obey it (the bible), salvation will be our reward. Before you can start any task you must first know about it and without the key of knowledge we are lost. "...thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make the wise unto salvation..." (II Timothy 4:15). However, with all the various doctrines (teachings) it's hard to know which road to take. Many claim that it really doesn't matter saying, "you serve God your way and I'll serve God my way." Since the Lord is the author of eternal salvation we can only obtain it by serving him his way (Hebrews 5:9). Some choose to rely on the wisdom of their pastor by putting his word above God's word. Nevertheless, in judgment each one of us will give account for our own salvation. Therefore, we must not let anyone lead us down the wrong path, but should verify all of our teaching with the holy bible. YOUR SALVATION IS AT STAKE! "...work out your own salvation with fear and trembling" (Philippians 2:12). Jesus warned us that the road to salvation is straight and narrow and that only a few of us will find it. Many are traveling down the wrong road, which leads to destruction. This is because many of us have heard about salvation but few of us want to do what is necessary to get salvation (many are called but few are chosen). Many contend that Jesus did it all and now all we have to do is have faith. The bible says, we must not only be a hearer of the word, but a doer of the word also (James 1:21-22). DON'T FOOL YOURSELF! If we really have faith in Jesus our actions will prove it. If Jesus is our Lord then we will obey him. Even a child will obey a parent, by getting good grades in school, for the reward of a new bicycle. The child cannot earn money for the bicycle, but instead must act upon their faith to receive the free gift. We must do the same to receive eternal life. "FAITH WITHOUT WORKS IS DEAD"(James 2:20).

True, you are not far from the Kingdom of God. We are to obey as I John 3:6 says whosoever abideth in Him, sinneth not. and the Holy Ghost is given to them who OBEY (Hebrews 5:32) You will know who is a True follower of Jesus Christ and who is not, by their fruits, their deeds. Deeds can't save you, never will, never has, but those who are Truly Saved, will have good deeds.

^i^

 

[Tan]

True, you are not far from the Kingdom of God. We are to obey as I John 3:6 says whosoever abideth in Him, sinneth not. and the Holy Ghost is given to them who OBEY (Hebrews 5:32) You will know who is a True follower of Jesus Christ and who is not, by their fruits, their deeds. Deeds can't save you, never will, never has, but those who are Truly Saved, will have good deeds.

^i^

What do you mean when you say Deeds can't save you?

 

[DiscipleDave]

John 10:27 My sheep listen to my voice; I know them, and they follow me. 28 I give them eternal life, and they will never perish. No one can snatch them away from me, 29 for my Father has given them to me, and he is more powerful than anyone else.[d] No one can snatch them from the Father’s hand. 30 The Father and I are one.”

This is soooo True. Notice the first part of those verses: my sheep listen to my voice, and they follow me. These are good sheep, that do what Jesus said namely to "LOVE ONE ANOTHER". those who do not love one another, do not (NOT) listen to His voice, nor do they follow after Him.

Answer me this: Those who knowingly and willingly commit sin, who's voice was that one listening too? Who is that person following? Many with their mouths say they are Christians (good sheep) yet they do not listen to His voice, nor follow Him, when they knowingly and willingly obey satans temptations and commit sin.

^i^

 

[DiscipleDave]

What do you mean when you say Deeds can't save you?

Deeds are the works that you do, the fruit.

Salvation is not given to a person because of deeds/works/fruits. Therefore Deeds can't save you. But if your Saved, you will have good deeds, you will have good fruits.

^i^

 

[Bookends]

...work out your own salvation with fear and trembling" (Philippians 2:12).

You make the sound like we are responsible for our salvation. There is nothing we can do to work out our salvation. This is talking about our inward salvation, our transformation. Once we authentically see our sin and repent, and ask Jesus to be the Lord of our life, we are saved, it's a done deal. Key word here is authentically, we have to mean it, it has to come from the heart. After that, Christ does a work in us to transform us to be imitators of God, but we have to allow Him and co-operate with Him, strive to obey Him, strive against sin, pray, read His word, give thanks and praise consistently; This is what it means to work out your own salvation (IMO).

And how do we know we are saved?

Hebrews 12 3-11 (NKJV)
3 For consider Him who endured such hostility from sinners against Himself, lest you become weary and discouraged in your souls. 4 You have not yet resisted to bloodshed, striving against sin. 5 And you have forgotten the exhortation which speaks to you as to sons:
“My son, do not despise the chastening of the Lord,
Nor be discouraged when you are rebuked by Him;
6For whom the Lord loves He chastens,
And scourges every son whom He receives.”[a]

7If you endure chastening, God deals with you as with sons; for what son is there whom a father does not chasten? 8 But if you are without chastening, of which all have become partakers, then you are illegitimate and not sons. 9 Furthermore, we have had human fathers who corrected us, and we paid them respect. Shall we not much more readily be in subjection to the Father of spirits and live? 10 For they indeed for a few days chastened us as seemed best to them, but He for our profit, that we may be partakers of His holiness. 11 Now no chastening seems to be joyful for the present, but painful; nevertheless, afterward it yields the peaceable fruit of righteousness to those who have been trained by it.


OH LORD, chastise me !!!! (Last I asked the Lord to do this, He did...oh boy, what's it gonna be now).

 

[Bookends]

agree with all you said.

people will come here with their false garbage "once saved always saved"
they basically don't want to live their life for Jesus but want to live their own life.

they don't know we are all running a race, the race is tough and difficult

I believe that!! "once saved always saved"...I say that person who doesn't want to live their life for Jesus was never saved to begin with. They are not interested in the master, but only wants whats on the master's table, like Judas Iscariot. It's a heart issue, did person repenting mean it. Did they authentically mean it when they realized their sinful condition? and authentic in their repentance? and did they receive Jesus as their Lord?

John 10:22-29
22 Now it was the Feast of Dedication in Jerusalem, and it was winter. 23 And Jesus walked in the temple, in Solomon’s porch. 24 Then the Jews surrounded Him and said to Him, “How long do You keep us in doubt? If You are the Christ, tell us plainly.”
25 Jesus answered them, “I told you, and you do not believe. The works that I do in My Father’s name, they bear witness of Me. 26 But you do not believe, because you are not of My sheep, as I said to you. 27 My sheep hear My voice, and I know them, and they follow Me. 28 And I give them eternal life, and they shall never perish; neither shall anyone snatch them out of My hand. 29 My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of My Father’s hand. 30 I and My Father are one.”

 

[Skinski7]

Php 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.
Php 2:13 For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.


Work Out - G2716 - katergazomai
From G2596 and G2038; to work fully, that is, accomplish; by implication to finish, fashion: - cause, do (deed), perform, work (out).

Compare to Ephesians 2:8-10.

Eph 2:8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
Eph 2:9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.
Eph 2:10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.

It is God that works in us to will and to do of His good pleasure (Php 2:13), in other words we are His workmanship (Eph 2:10).

We receive grace (Eph 2:8) for obedience to the faith (Rom 1:5) and we gain access to grace through an obedient faith (Rom 5:2).

Grace teaches us how to live (Tit 2:11-12) and we yield to its teaching and apply it by faith which results in inward purity (1Pet 1:22).

Faith, obedience and believing are really all the same thing. True faith means you truly believe and if you truly believe you will live in accordance to that truth because to refuse is death. When one jumps out of a plane with a parachute believing that the parachute is real will preserve that individuals life yet the rip chord must be pulled in accordance with that belief.

This is why God is the author of salvation of those who obey Him (Heb 5:9) because those who obey him yield to grace by faith and the result is salvation. This process is the gift of God who has generously and freely provided it for us.

The church system has redefined grace, faith, repentance, obedience, and salvation and the result is a masterful and subtle satanic deception.

Jesus came to save us from our sins, to purify a people who are zealous of doing right, and to reconcile them to the Father.

The church system teaches a false gospel which leaves converts still dead and in bondage to their sins with an illusory cloak which gives them a false assurance that they are saved. When one has bought into the lie the mind is convinced that there is nothing more to do to be saved and thus the door is closed and these people will seldom if ever undergo a genuine repentance and exercise a genuine faith.

Satan has been able to strip the active working dynamic from the Gospel message thus ensuring that multitudes are receiving the grace of God in vain.

It is the most horrible scenario imaginable in my opinion.

 

[Katy-follower]

I believe that!! "once saved always saved"...I say that person who doesn't want to live their life for Jesus was never saved to begin with. They are not interested in the master, but only wants whats on the master's table, like Judas Iscariot. It's a heart issue, did person repenting mean it. Did they authentically mean it when they realized their sinful condition? and authentic in their repentance? and did they receive Jesus as their Lord?

Please be careful when making statements like that because this is very untrue.

I believe in eternal security but I don't believe we have a license to sin. I do not use the "OSAS" as an excuse to sin. I never would. I want to live an obedient life that's pleasing to God and I strive to be more like Christ. A person who is genuinely saved will bear fruit.

I'm confused about why so many didn't have that same eternal security the moment they were saved? When we are sealed by the Holy Spirit we know it! The difference is that non believers don't have eternal security because they are not saved.

Some Christians do backslide but God eventually calls them back. I know this because I backslid for many years and God called me 3 times until I listened. During my backsliding years people still noticed something different about my nature, many Christians even asked if I were Christian because they saw something different in me. The Holy Spirit was still dwelling in me, I was just backsliding at that point...but the Holy Spirit never left. We are sealed!

As for Judas Iscariot, he did not have any fruits of a man that was saved. His allegiance was with Rome, not with Christ. He was a pretend Christian. He came out from among them but was not of them. "Son of perdition".

More of my thoughts here.....

Link to my post --> http://christianchat.com/bible-discussion-forum/45835-can-salvation-lost-9.html#post759002

 

[Bookends]

Please be careful when making statements like that because this is very untrue.

I believe in eternal security but I don't believe we have a license to sin. I do not use the "OSAS" as an excuse to sin. I never would. I want to live an obedient life that's pleasing to God and I strive to be more like Christ. A person who is genuinely saved will bear fruit.

Where did I ever say that?

Some Christians do backslide but God eventually calls them back.

Read my Introduction to this site

As for Judas Iscariot, he did not have any fruits of a man that was saved. His allegiance was with Rome, not with Christ. He was a pretend Christian. He came out from among them but was not of them. "Son of perdition".

This was exactly I said, but in other words. I really don't understand why you called my statements untrue.

 

[Closemyeyes2cU]

Ephesians 2:8-9
King James Version (KJV)
8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.

BUT.....

1 John 2:4
King James Version (KJV)
4 He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him.

We have to balance both of those verses in our lives. You cant allow one of those verse's to be dominant over the other.

 

[mdankoski]

We CAN come to Him as we are, but that doesn't mean that we can STAY as we are. The guy in the Gadarenes came filled with a legion of demons and was set free and accepted. He didn't even ask for salvation. All he asked was "What do we have to do with Thee?" Then when the others found him later, he was in his right mind and talking with Jesus. The woman taken in the VERY ACT of adultery didn't even know who Jesus was and she was immediately accepted and forgiven. Jesus found James and John and just walked by and told them to follow Him. None of these people had to "prepare," but they had evidently told that they had to, yet none of them had prepared, yet Jesus accepted them. Some were told to keep the commandments, others were told to go and sin no more, yet they were accepted the moment they came to Jesus. And what about Peter's dream about God accepting gentiles?

Please notice that I said that we cannot STAY in that condition. 1 John says that "1Jn 3:9 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. "

Also

Rom 8:16 The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God:

HE is the only one who needs proof that we are His. The rest of us can test the spirit by the witness it produces. Physical appearance is a lie, words can be a lie, and in fact in natural outer appearance can be a lie.

We are NOT to try our brothers and sisters, but to discern spiritually. The person might not have been convicted of something yet, there may be an addiction or a habit the person is having a problem with. You know as well as I that some problems take time and others don't.

Rom 14:10 But why dost thou judge thy brother? or why dost thou set at nought thy brother? for we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ.
Rom 14:11 For it is written, As I live, saith the Lord, every knee shall bow to me, and every tongue shall confess to God.
Rom 14:12 So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God.
Rom 14:13 Let us not therefore judge one another any more: but judge this rather, that no man put a stumblingblock or an occasion to fall in his brother's way.
Rom 14:14 I know, and am persuaded by the Lord Jesus, that there is nothing unclean of itself: but to him that esteemeth any thing to be unclean, to him it is unclean.
Rom 14:15 But if thy brother be grieved with thy meat, now walkest thou not charitably. Destroy not him with thy meat, for whom Christ died.
Rom 14:16 Let not then your good be evil spoken of:
Rom 14:17 For the kingdom of God is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Ghost.
Rom 14:18 For he that in these things serveth Christ is acceptable to God, and approved of men.
Rom 14:19 Let us therefore follow after the things which make for peace, and things wherewith one may edify another.
Rom 14:20 For meat destroy not the work of God. All things indeed are pure; but it is evil for that man who eateth with offence.
Rom 14:21 It is good neither to eat flesh, nor to drink wine, nor any thing whereby thy brother stumbleth, or is offended, or is made weak.
Rom 14:22 Hast thou faith? have it to thyself before God. Happy is he that condemneth not himself in that thing which he alloweth.
Rom 14:23 And he that doubteth is damned if he eat, because he eateth not of faith: for whatsoever is not of faith is sin.

Why are you preaching a gospel of works instead of a gospel of faith and acceptance?

 

[Tan]

This is soooo True. Notice the first part of those verses: my sheep listen to my voice, and they follow me. These are good sheep, that do what Jesus said namely to "LOVE ONE ANOTHER". those who do not love one another, do not (NOT) listen to His voice, nor do they follow after Him.

Answer me this: Those who knowingly and willingly commit sin, who's voice was that one listening too? Who is that person following? Many with their mouths say they are Christians (good sheep) yet they do not listen to His voice, nor follow Him, when they knowingly and willingly obey satans temptations and commit sin.

^i^

Paul said in Hebrews 10: 25 Now where remission of these is, there is no more offering for sin. [FONT=Times New Roman,Times New Roman][FONT=Times New Roman,Times New Roman]In other words, no more animals are going to die for your sins. [/FONT][/FONT](v.26) For if we sin willfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins. [FONT=Times New Roman,Times New Roman][FONT=Times New Roman,Times New Roman]Now do we understand what’s being said here? If you sin willfully after you have knowledge of what the truth is, no more animals are going to die for you. [/FONT][/FONT](v.27) But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries. [FONT=Times New Roman,Times New Roman][FONT=Times New Roman,Times New Roman]Now if you are being deceived into believing that once you are under God’s grace you no longer have to keep his commandments, all you have to look forward to is the day of judgement and the lake of fire (fiery indignation).
[/FONT][/FONT]

 

[mdankoski]

The only thing I take exception to is your statement that it is false to say that we can come as we are. We can. But we cannot stay in that condition. If we had to clean up first then we wouldn't need Jesus at all. We have to come to Him to find out what He is all about. I'm talking about the initial first time, coming as an unsaved sinner for the first time, not a weekly altar call where we can go out and say come as you are and get a fresh dose of forgiveness. We can make mistakes, but we cannot outright sin purposely against God. That's all I'm trying to say, or am I mis-understanding you? All the rest I agree with.