U
As we grow in the knowledge of our Savior and the Word, it is imperative we remain humble as it is very easy for pride to sneak in and divert us from our primary purpose, edifying the body and Christ. Keeping our focus and priorities straight will prove to be far more valuable than what we know.
Love for God and for others is essential to our salvation. It is only through love that we are obedient to God. Having knowledge of the Word is a very good and important for believers to have. However, knowledge, in and of itself, is useless if we are not submissive to His will. Knowledge is not something that is essential for salvation. Salvation is not demonstrated in what we know; it is demonstrated in our motives, behaviors, and attitudes.
Salvation is not dependent upon knowledge. We can have knowledge of the Bible, but if we are not submissive to His will for us, this knowledge is absolutely meaningless. Those who know the Word of God, yet are not obedient. People such as this only deceive themselves (Jas. 11:22). They may talk a good talk and be able to relay what Scripture says, but their actions are not in accordance to His will (Titus 1:16). We should all examine ourselves to ensure we do not fall into this category.
When we are saved, the Spirit gives us a desire to obey God’s Word. This obedience is the result of, and not the basis for, our salvation (Eph. 2:8-10). We are saved by grace, through faith. True faith is much more than a belief in God. James 2:19 tells us, “even demons believe, and tremble”. Our belief must be reinforced with obedience. Without obedience, our faith is dead. However, our faith is perfected through obedience (Jas. 2:14-26). Our obedience testifies of our belief and thus is an essential element of our faith.
Love is the most essential element of our salvation. It is only through God’s love that we even have salvation at all (John 3:16). We are to Love the Lord with our whole heart (Deut. 6:5). We demonstrate His love for us, and our love for Him, when we follow His will (John 15:10). He has commanded us to love each other as He loves us (John 15:12). If we do not have love, can we truly say we have salvation? We may have knowledge, faith, and gifts, but if we do not have love, we are nothing (1 Cor. 13). However, if we are truly saved and walk in the Spirit, the Spirit will bear fruit in our lives (Gal.5:22-23). Love, being fruit of the Spirit, is a testimony of our salvation. It is in this way the Spirit is a witness to the fact we are born of God (1 John 5:1-9).
WE ONLY HAVE SALVATION THROUGH JESUS CHRIST (John 3:16-17; 14:6). Those who truly love Him are obedient to His commands (1 John 1:3). A mature Christian will display this with a love for others. They will do this to the point or putting the needs of others before their own desires. We are shown this in the 8th chapter of 1st Corinthians. We are obligated to others through our obligation to Christ.
We know Christ abides in us, and we in Him, by our obedience to His Word (1 John 1:5). By this we know we are saved. If we abide in Him, His love, and love for our brothers and sisters, we will have no reason to stumble (1 John 1:10). Imagine the implications of that. That is just how powerful love is. Love completely frees us from the power of sin. Knowledge does not have the power to and cannot set us free from sin. We can only be truly free through love, faith, and obedience to the Savior.
Love for God and for others is essential to our salvation. It is only through love that we are obedient to God. Having knowledge of the Word is a very good and important for believers to have. However, knowledge, in and of itself, is useless if we are not submissive to His will. Knowledge is not something that is essential for salvation. Salvation is not demonstrated in what we know; it is demonstrated in our motives, behaviors, and attitudes.
Salvation is not dependent upon knowledge. We can have knowledge of the Bible, but if we are not submissive to His will for us, this knowledge is absolutely meaningless. Those who know the Word of God, yet are not obedient. People such as this only deceive themselves (Jas. 11:22). They may talk a good talk and be able to relay what Scripture says, but their actions are not in accordance to His will (Titus 1:16). We should all examine ourselves to ensure we do not fall into this category.
When we are saved, the Spirit gives us a desire to obey God’s Word. This obedience is the result of, and not the basis for, our salvation (Eph. 2:8-10). We are saved by grace, through faith. True faith is much more than a belief in God. James 2:19 tells us, “even demons believe, and tremble”. Our belief must be reinforced with obedience. Without obedience, our faith is dead. However, our faith is perfected through obedience (Jas. 2:14-26). Our obedience testifies of our belief and thus is an essential element of our faith.
Love is the most essential element of our salvation. It is only through God’s love that we even have salvation at all (John 3:16). We are to Love the Lord with our whole heart (Deut. 6:5). We demonstrate His love for us, and our love for Him, when we follow His will (John 15:10). He has commanded us to love each other as He loves us (John 15:12). If we do not have love, can we truly say we have salvation? We may have knowledge, faith, and gifts, but if we do not have love, we are nothing (1 Cor. 13). However, if we are truly saved and walk in the Spirit, the Spirit will bear fruit in our lives (Gal.5:22-23). Love, being fruit of the Spirit, is a testimony of our salvation. It is in this way the Spirit is a witness to the fact we are born of God (1 John 5:1-9).
WE ONLY HAVE SALVATION THROUGH JESUS CHRIST (John 3:16-17; 14:6). Those who truly love Him are obedient to His commands (1 John 1:3). A mature Christian will display this with a love for others. They will do this to the point or putting the needs of others before their own desires. We are shown this in the 8th chapter of 1st Corinthians. We are obligated to others through our obligation to Christ.
We know Christ abides in us, and we in Him, by our obedience to His Word (1 John 1:5). By this we know we are saved. If we abide in Him, His love, and love for our brothers and sisters, we will have no reason to stumble (1 John 1:10). Imagine the implications of that. That is just how powerful love is. Love completely frees us from the power of sin. Knowledge does not have the power to and cannot set us free from sin. We can only be truly free through love, faith, and obedience to the Savior.
*sarcasm alert* just wanted to make rae rae all comfy inside. lol *hugs*