What is the difference between those that believe and are not saved and those that believe and are saved.
The 10 virgins all knew the bridegroom.
Mat 25:11-12
11 Afterward came also the other virgins, saying, Lord, Lord, open to us. 12 But he answered and said, Verily I say unto you, I know you not.
Knowing Jesus is our Lord is not enough.
Knowing about Him is not enough.
Mat 7:13-20
13 Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth 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.
Few there be that find it... is it a simple, easy, Walk in the park to be saved.
No few find it because the devil is really good a lieing to people. He is good at telling people they are saved and giving a false sense of security. His first lie was .... you will not surely die....
15 Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. 16 Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? 17 Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit. 18 A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit. 19 Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. 20 Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.
The lie of the devil today is ....
You will not die, Jesus done everything at the cross, just believe in Jesus and your saved..
The devil will mix truth and error so people are confused.
What does Jesus say. ....
Mat 7:21 Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.
Jesus teaches that we must believe in Him as our personal Saviour, repent of our sins, and walk in a path of humble obedience to God's commandments through His enabling grace.
"What shall I do to inherit eternal life?" Matthew 19:16.
The first step is recognizing that we cannot save ourselves through our own efforts. We must place our entire trust in Jesus. He is the only way to the Father John 14:6.
A Gift of Love. John 3:16
Jesus is our Perfect Substitute. Jesus took our place and suffered the penalty of justice that should have fallen on us Galatians 3:13. He was "set forth to be a propitiation through faith in his blood" so that God might be just and the justifier of those who believe, Romans 3:25-26.
So God can be the justifier and be Just.
To be saved, we must accept the robe of His righteousness as our own. He is "able also to save them to the uttermost that come to God by him" Hebrews 7:25.
But there is more which the devil wants everyone to egnore.....we need to Repent and Be Born Again.
Believing in Jesus naturally leads to a change of heart. We cannot continue in the old ways of sin if we truly love Him.
Our love for Jesus will lead to a Turning Away from Sin: When people asked the apostles what they must do, the answer was clear: "Repent, and be baptized" Acts 2:38.
A New Heart is the result of Gods Spirit working in us. True salvation involves an entire transformation of character. It is God who works in us "both to will and to do of his good pleasure" Philippians 2:13.
If we humble our hearts and confess our sins, He is faithful to forgive us and reconcile us to God 1 John 1:9.
Jesus made it very clear that love for Him is inseparable from obedience. While the law has no "saving properties" to pardon a transgressor, it is the standard of character that shows us our need for a Saviour Galatians 3:24.
When the young man asked how to enter into life, Jesus told him, "keep the commandments" Matthew 19:17.
Obedience is the Fruit of Faith. We do not obey to get saved, but because we are saved. Good works are the fruitful evidence that we are treading the path to heaven Matthew 19:21.
Keeping the Sabbath holy is a sign of our loyalty to God and our recognition of Him as the one who sanctifies us Exodus 31:13. It is a vital part of honoring Him 1 Samuel 2:30.
Jesus invites us, "Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest" Matthew 11:28. By coming to Him, trusting His sacrifice, and obeying His Word, we find the path to eternal life.