What Everyone
Should Know About Being Saved
Table of Contents
Introduction
I. "That I May Inherit Eternal Life"
II. "What Shall We Have Therefore?"
III. Was Christ's Standard of Discipleship
Too High?
IV. A Christian is a "Dead Man on Furlough"
V. Believing on Jesus: A Deeper Meaning
VI. "Reconciled to God by the Death of
His Son"
VII. "Unto Us Who Are Saved"
VIII. When "Grace Is No More Grace"
IX. "For by Grace Are Ye Saved Through
Faith"
X. James on "Faith" and "Works"
XI. Once in Grace, Always in Grace?
XII. Scriptures Emphasizing Character
and Works
XIII. Two Days of Salvation-The Scriptural
Basis
Chart of the Divine Plan of the Ages
Summary and Conclusions
Appendix
Introduction
What Everyone Should Know About Being Saved!
The subject "On Being Saved" is of extraordinary concern to every Christian.
It is not a topic that can be ignored, avoided or treated lightly. Much of our
peace of mind as Christians rests upon a clear understanding of this subject.
Yet we find that people may often exhibit greater concern over their financial
portfolios than they do about the health of their relationship with Christ.
This must not be so with us.
A dictionary definition of "save" in a theological sense is, "to deliver from
sin." The theological definition of "salvation" is "spiritual rescue from sin
and death." This would seem easy to understand because the Bible clearly teaches
that we are all sinners and, therefore, God's judgment stands against us. We
also have learned that a way has been provided to lift that judgment against
us through Christ. All Christians are in agreement on this. Other religions
may have different approaches to sin. Christianity is unique in presenting Christ
as the only means of lifting the judgment of death from us.
Jesus said, "I am the door of the sheep. All that ever came before me are thieves
and robbers: but the sheep did not hear them. I am the door: by me if any man
enter in, he shall be saved" (John 10:7-9). That may seem dogmatic, but this
is the message of Jesus Christ himself.
It is easy to use words such as "saved" and "salvation" without regard to the
biblical context or some of the overriding qualifications when the entire subject
is brought into focus. Anyone may quote a scripture or two, and if it is quoted
long and loud enough, it is easy to come away feeling that is all that the Bible
has to say. Yet the Bible is a book with many texts that are qualified by other
Biblical texts. When there are over a hundred verses on "being saved" and only
one or two are used, there is a danger that we may come away with an improper
or inadequate view.
"Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved," is a beautiful
text (Acts 16:31). But what does it mean to "believe"? James tells us, "The
devils also believe, and tremble" (James 2:19). Are they "saved"? No! What does
it mean to be "saved"? These are questions that, hopefully, will be answered
in this biblical presentation. Why did Jesus make the terms for receiving "everlasting
life" so difficult for the young nobleman? Why is this so often overlooked?
How can we harmonize all the Bible has to say on being "saved"?
This booklet is presented with the prayer that those who love Jesus will learn
more perfectly what is required of his disciples. Peter says, "Elect [chosen]
according to the foreknowledge of God the Father" (1 Peter 1:2). Once we realize
the requirements, we may daily and hourly rejoice in our high calling. Gladly
then will we meet the terms of discipleship that are implied in this calling.*
[*We become "conformed to the image of His Son" (Romans 8:29).] Throughout our
study, we will pursue a broad based approach to the scriptures. Knowing that
choosing and selecting pieces and bits of scripture can result in wrong conclusions,
we want to be careful to consider the full spectrum of Biblical teachings on
this subject.
We will especially be concerned with Jesus' presentation for receiving eternal
life. We will consider the following questions: The disciples asked Jesus, "What
shall we have therefore?" Why did Jesus set such high standards for discipleship?
What does being a Christian really entail? What does it mean to believe in Jesus?
How are we "saved by his blood" and "saved by his life"? Is there a difference
between "saved" and "being saved"?
Other topics included will be: What is the meaning of God's grace? How are grace
and faith necessary to being saved? The subject of "faith" and "works." Does
once in grace mean always in grace? How do character development and Christian
works affect our relationship to God? Is there another day of salvation after
Christ's church is joined with her Lord? Finally, every text using the word
"saved" in the New Testament will be listed for clear examination.
The mere repetition of the phrase "I believe" or "I am saved" is not a mantra
with magical powers that will deliver us into God's Heavenly Kingdom. We urge
all to consider the entire weight of this subject to enhance our relationship
with Christ. Why should we settle for just a few texts on "being saved," when
with a little effort we might examine the complete range of these instructive
Bible verses?
The subject of heaven has been exploited by all religions. How convenient it
is for church leaders to offer those who support them an assurance of heaven.
If it were only the Christian churches that offered this hope it might be asserted
that this is a benefit of being a Christian. However, most other religions do
the same.
When the Catholics wanted men to go forth on their Holy(?) Crusades, they assured
those who might be injured or killed a reward in heaven. When the Muslims in
the Middle East want men and children to blow themselves up as martyrs to kill
Jews, they promise a heavenly reward. Each martyr is assured of seventy virgins
in a heavenly harem. That seems more generous than the Catholic offer. The Native
American Indians go to their happy hunting grounds in heaven. The Eastern religions
offer repeated opportunities to gain heavenly bliss. One may be reincarnated
many times until, at last, heaven is achieved. If it were only Christian religions
that used heaven as a tool to gain and hold a following, it would not be quite
so obvious that heaven is being exploited.
One must ask-Does God have any choice in who will enter heaven? Doesn't it seem
wrong to preempt the Lord's judgment by assuring heaven to anyone? Would you
allow anyone to have permanent residence in your home without your consent?
Yet people are being promised heaven as though anyone may enter by just saying,
"I believe in Jesus." Why would the devil pass up such a marvelous opportunity
to send his followers to heaven? If he could send just one unregenerate sinner
to heaven, what triumph that would be. God would no longer have his will done
in heaven even as it is not being done on earth. Better yet, that the devil
should send millions of his wicked children to heaven. It would be far better
to send them to heaven to corrupt God's dwelling place than to have them underfoot
in his proverbial "hell."
Is there any danger of this happening? No! "For our God is a consuming fire"
(Hebrews 12:29). "It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living
God" (Hebrews 10:31). Anybody can say, "I believe in Jesus." All one has to
do is read church history to see what terrible things professed Christians have
done.
Jesus said, "By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have
love one to another" (John 13:35). Whose disciples were they who carried on
"holy wars," the "inquisition," the pogroms against the Jews, the massacres
of Protestants, and the list could go on and on. Could it be that Satan had
engaged Christians to do some of the most terrible things in history? There
virtually is no evil that has not been done by professed Christians. This should
cause true believers and followers of Christ to be very careful about what they
believe and that they are true examples of Christ.
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