| | 4. THE WAY OF SALVATION
SINCE CHRIST HAS FINISHED THE WORK OF REDEMPTION, THEN ARE NOT ALL
MEN SAVED?
No, Christ's work is sufficient in its scope and power to save
all men, but is is effective only for those who are willing to
receive Him. This may be illustrated by an incident from American
history.
In 1830 George Wilson was tried by a United States Court in
Philadelphia for robbery and murder, and sentenced to be hanged.
Andrew Jackson, President of the United States, pardoned him. But
Wilson refused the pardon, and insisted that it was not a pardon
unless he accepted it. The question was brought before the
Supreme Court, and Chief Justice John Marshall wrote the following
decision: " A pardon is a paper, the value of which depends upon
its acceptance by the person implicated. It is hardly to be
supposed that one under sentence of death would refuse to accept a
pardon, but if it is refused, it is no pardon. George Wilson must
hang." And he was hanged. (Lee, Rogert G., The Sinner's Savior
(Nashville: Broadman Press, 1950) pp. 35, 36.
WHY DOESN'T GOD SAVE EVERYONE?
He desires to do so, 1 Timothy 2:4.
However, He has chosen to give men their choice in the matter
of salvation. Otherwise He would take men to heaven who didn't
want to be there, and for such it would scarcely be heaven.
WHAT MUST HAPPEN TO A PERSON BEFORE HE CAN GO TO HEAVEN?
His sins must be put away and he must be given a new nature
that enables him to enjoy heaven. John 3:3,5.
HOW IS A PERSON SAVED?
"By grace are ye saved through faith." Ephesians 2:8,9.
WHAT IS MEANT BY GRACE?
Grace is the unmerited favor of God shown to people who
deserve the very opposite. It is God offering salvation to man as
a free gift. Romans 5:8, Ephesians 2:7.
WHAT IS FAITH?
Faith is belief or trust. It is man receiving salvation from
God as a free gift.
WHAT MUST A PERSON BELIEVE TO BE SAVED?
He must believe on the Lord Jesus Christ. John 3:16, John
20:30, 3l.
IS IT NOT ENOUGH TO BELIEVE THAT THERE IS A GOD?
No, even the devils believe that, and tremble, but they are
not saved. James 2:19.
WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO BELIEVE ON JESUS?
It means to confess that you are a sinner needing salvation
and to receive Him as your only hope of salvation, acknowledging
Him to be Lord of your life. Romans 10:9.
IS IT NOT SUFFICIENT TO BELIEVE ALL THE HISTORICAL FACTS ABOUT
JESUS?
No, a person may believe all that the Bible says about Jesus
and still be lost.
WHAT ELSE IS NECESSARY THEN?
True belief involves a commitment of one's entire self to
Jesus as only Lord and Savior.
CAN A MAN HAVE FAITH AND NOT BE SAVED?
Certainly! Faith in an unworthy object will only bring
disappointment. Our faith must be in Christ if we are to be
saved.
CAN ANYONE DO THIS?
Salvation is offered to all, but it is only those who admit
themselves to be lost who will ever want to be saved. Luke 19:10.
WHO PRODUCES THIS CONVICTION OF SIN IN A PERSON'S LIFE?
The Holy Spirit of God is the One who produces conviction of
sin. John 16:8-11.
WHAT CAN A PERSON DO, THEN, WHO DOES NOT REALIZE HE IS A SINNER?
He should read the Bible and be honest. Romans 10:17.
WHAT WILL HAPPEN THEN?
He will see that he is a sinner and that if he dies in that
condition he will go to hell. John 8:21, 24.
WILL HE BE SAVED WHENEVER HE SEES THIS?
No, he must then repent of his sins and receive the Lord Jesus
Christ as His Savior. Proverbs 29:13; Acts 16:31.
TO BE SAVED SIMPLY THROUGH FAITH SEEMS TO BE TOO EASY, DOESN'T IT?
It might seem to be too easy, but it is God's only way of
salvation. While it may seem easy to us, we should remember that
it was a very costly transaction for God; it cost Him the death of
His only begotten Son. So it is an easy salvation but not a cheap
one. Isaiah 1:18.
WHY DID GOD DECIDE THAT SALVATION SHOULD BE GIVEN ON THE BASIS OF
FAITH?
The reason probably is that believing on Him is the only
proper thing that all normal people can do. Even a child can
believe.
BUT ISN'T THERE SOME WORK A PERSON MUST DO IN ORDER TO BE SAVED?
No, there is no work a person can do. Christ finished the
work on Calvary's cross. All the sinner has to do is believe.
Titus 3:5.
WELL, ISN'T THAT A CONTRADICTION? YOU SAY THERE IS NOTHING TO DO.
ALL YOU HAVE TO DO IS BELIEVE.
There is nothing you can do by way of earning or meriting
God's approval. There is nothing you can do to buy your way or
help purchase your admission to heaven. Romans 4:4,5.
Faith is a non-meritorious act. A person cannot be proud
because he believes in the Lord; what is more reasonable than for
a man to trust his Creator? Thus, faith excludes human boasting,
and is the only thing a person can do without doing a "good work"
that he might think would entitle him to heaven. Romans 3:27.
YOU MEAN TO SAY THEN THAT WE ARE NOT SAVED BY GOOD WORKS?
That is what the Bible says; ". . . not of works lest any man
should boast." Ephesians 2:9.
WHY COULDN'T MAN BE SAVED BY DOING GOOD WORKS?
Man is a sinner and everything he does is stained by sin. The
best he can do is like filthy rags in God's sight. Isaiah 64:6.
BUT SUPPOSE THAT I COULD LIVE A PERFECT LIFE FROM THIS DAY
FORWARE, WOULD I NOT BE SAVED?
No, you would not, because God requires that which is past.
Your past sins must shomehow be put away before you could enter
God's presence. Ecclesiastes 3:15.
YOU MEAN TO SAY, THEN, THAT DECENT, SELF-RESPECTING, CULTURED
PEOPLE DON'T GO TO HEAVEN?
The only people who go to heaven are those who acknowledge
themselves to be sinners and who confess Jesus Christ as Lord and
Savior. Matthew 21:31.
ARE THERE NOT SOME PEOPLE WHO ARE NOT GOOD ENOUGH FOR HEAVEN AND
NOT BAD ENOUGH FOR HELL?
No, there are only two classes of people, saved and unsaved.
1 Corinthians 1:18.
WELL, THEN, ARE THERE NOT SOME PEOPLE WHO ARE TOO WICKED TO BE
SAVED?
No, the Gospel invitation is extended to all mankind, and
whosoever will may come. Isaiah 55:7; 1 Timothy 1:15; Hebrews
7:25.
DOESN'T A PERSON HAVE TO CLEAN UP HIS LIFE BEFORE HE CAN BE SAVED?
As long as he thinks he can clean up his own life, he won't
feel the need of the Savior. He should simply come to Christ just
as he is, sins and all, and receive pardon and peace. Isaiah
1:18; Matthew 9:13; Luke 19:10.
COULDN'T I BE SAVED BY FOLLOWING THE EXAMPLE OF JESUS?
Jesus' life was sinless. No mere man is able to follow that
example. Moreover, the only reason Jesus died is because men
could be saved in no other way. 1 Peter 2:24.
IF BELIEVING ON JESUS IS THE RIGHT WAY, THEN WHY DO THE VAST
MAJORITY OF PEOPLE REFUSE TO ACCEPT HIM!
Satan has blinded the minds of those who believe not, lest the
light of the glorious gospel of Christ should shine unto them. 2
Corinthians 4:4. There is a way which seems right unto men, but
the end thereof are the ways of death. Proverbs 14:12.
COULDN'T A PERSON BE SAVED BY TRYING TO KEEP THE GOLDEN RULE?
No, when Jesus said, "Do unto others as you would have them do
unto you," He was speaking to those who were already saved. He
never intended it as the way to heaven.
WELL, COULD WE NOT BE SAVED BY OBEYING THE BEATITUDES OR BY LIVING
ACCORDING TO THE SERMON ON THE MOUNT?
Once again, these teachings were addressed to those who had
already acknowledged Jesus as Lord. To obey them requires Divine
life, and a person receives this life when he is saved.
SURELY YOU AREN'T GOING TO TELL ME THAT A PERSON CANNOT BE SAVED
BY KEEPING THE TEN COMMANDMENTS?
No one can fulfill what is demanded by the Ten Commandments.
Romans 3:20.
EXACTLY WHAT DO THE TEN COMMANDMENTS REQUIRE?
The Ten Commandments are as follows:
1. Thou shalt have no other gods before me.
2. Thou shalt not make unto thee a graven image, etc.
3. Thou shalt not take the Name of the lord, thy God, in
vain.
4. Remember the Sabbath day to keep it holy.
5. Honor they father and mother.
6. Thou shalt not kill.
7. Thou shalt not commit adultery.
8. Thou shalt not steal.
9. Thou shalt not bear fase witness against thy
neighbor.
10. Thou shalt not covet. (Exodus 20:1-17.)
WERE THE TEN COMMANDMENTS NOT GIVEN BY GOD TO HIS PEOPLE?
Yes, they were, but He never intended that they should serve
as a means of salvation. Galatians 2:16, 3:11.
WHY THEN DID GOD GIVE THE COMMANDMENTS?
They were given to show the people what sinners they were.
Just as a straight line shows up a crooked line, so the law shows
men how far they have departed from God's standard of perfection.
Romans 5:20; Galatians 3:19.
HAS ANYONE EVER KEPT THESE LAWS PERFECTLY?
The Lord Jesus Christ is the only One who has ever kept the
law perfectly.
THEN ARE WE NOT SAVED THROUGH HIS KEEPING OF THE LAW?
No, we are only saved through His death, burial and
resurrection. We are condemned and cursed by the law. Galatians
2:21.
IF A MAN COULD KEEP THE LAW ALL HIS LIFE, WOULD HE BE THEREBY
SAVED?
Such a man would not need to be saved. He would be a perfect
being.
SUPPOSE THAT A MAN COULD KEEP NINE OF THE TEN COMMANDMENTS! WOULD
HE BE SAVED?
No, the law demands continual and complete obedience. If a
person breaks one commandment, he is guilty of all. James 2:10.
WHAT IS THE PUNISHMENT FOR FAILING TO KEEP THE LAW?
Death, now and forever. Galatians 3:10.
WEREN'T THE TEN COMMANDMENTS MADE FOR GOOD PEOPLE?
No! ". . .the law is not made for a righteous man, but for
the lawless and disobedient, for the ungodly and for sinners, for
unholy and profane, for murderers of fathers and murderers of
mothers, for manslayers, for whoremongers, for them that defile
themselves with mankind, for menstealers, for liars, for perjured
persons, and if there be any other thing that is contrary to sound
doctrine . . ." 1 Timothy 1:9,10.
WHAT EFFECT SHOULD THE TEN COMMANDMENTS HAVE ON US?
They should make us realize what guilty sinners we are, and
should cause us to cast ourselves on the mercy of the Lord.
Romans 3:19.
BUT DOES IT SEEM REASONABLE THAT WE SHOULD BE SAVED BY FAITH ALONE
AND NOT BY FAITH PLUS GOOD WORKS?
The Scripture says, "Not by words of righteousness which we
have done, but according to His mercy He saved us . . ." Titus
3:5.
DOES IT SAY SOMEWHERE IN THE BIBLE THAT FAITH WITHOUT WORKS IS
DEAD?
Yes, it says that in James 2;20.
DOESN'T THAT SHOW THAT SALVATION IS BY FIATH PLUS WORKS?
No, it does not. The teaching of the passage is that a man
may say that he has faith but if he does not have good works, it
shows that he was never truly saved. That kind of a faith never
saved anyone.
WHAT KIND OF A FAITH DOES SAVE?
The kind that is not merely a matter of the lips but is a
matter of the heart and which results in a new life filled with
good works.
THEN YOU MEAN THAT GOOD WORKS FOLLOW SALVATION, BUT DO NOT SECURE
IT.
Yes, that is right. We are not saved by good works, but we
are saved unto good works. Ephesians 2:8-10.
IS IT NOT NECESSARY TO JOIN SOME CHURCH IN ORDER TO BE SAVED?
Joining all the churches in town wouldn't save a person. "Ye
must be born again."
BUT DOESN'T GOD EXPECT US TO JOIN SOME CHURCH?
Whenever a person is saved he becomes a member of the true
church composed of all true believers in the Lord Jesus. Then he
should find fellowship in some local church where Christ is
acknowledged as Head and where the Bible is accepted as the only
inspired Word of God, our sufficient guide in all matters of faith
and morals.
DOES NOT THE FACT THAT I WAS BAPTIZED AS AN INFANT MEAN THAT I AM
SAVED?
Baptism is not the Savior. Only Jesus Christ can save. John
14:6.
BUT SHOULDN'T PEOPLE BE BAPTIZED?
Those who have been born again should be baptized. There is
no clear record in the New Testament of unsaved people or infants
ever being baptized, however.
THEN I AM NOT SAVED BY PARTAKING OF THE COMMUNION SERVICE EITHER?
No. Once again, the communion service was only intended for
those who are already born-again believers in the Lord Jesus
Christ.
DO YOU MEAN TO SAY THAT CHURCH ATTENDANCE, GIFTS TO CHARITY,
PARTICIPATION IN THE ORDINANCES AND SIMILAR OBSERVANCES WILL NOT
HELP IN MY SALVATION?
They will not help at all. The only thing that will help you
is to come to Christ as a sinner, repent of your sins and trust
Him as your only Hope for heaven. Acts 4:12.
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