WORKS AND SALVATION
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Matthew 7:21-23 |
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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. Many will say to Me in that day, “Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in Thy name? and in Thy name have cast out devils? and in Thy name done many wonderful works?” And then will I profess unto them, “I never knew you: depart from Me, ye that work iniquity.” KJV |
Not everyone who says to Me, “Lord, Lord,” will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven. Many will say to Me on that day, “Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in Your name, and in Your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?” Then I will tell them plainly, “I never knew you. Away from Me you evil doers!” NIV |
To say that works have nothing to do with your salvation is:
- Deceitful because it leads to a casual attitude toward easy living, which leads to a casual attitude toward indulgent living, which leads to a casual attitude toward sinful living.
- Dangerous because it ignores the Holy demands of a Holy God. “Be ye Holy, for I am Holy” saith the Lord. We are to perfect Holiness in the fear of God. Without Holiness no one will see the Lord. As He that has called you is Holy, so be ye Holy…
- It is Dangerous because it deceives one into thinking that our Conduct and Conversion do not belong together when the one is vital to the existence of the other. The one is Proof of the other.
- Damning because it ignores the Character of the New Nature. The Heavenly Nature, of the man and woman who has been Born of God.
- It is Damning to say that works have nothing to do with Salvation because the Scriptures are full of statements showing that many who thought they were safe because of a Profession, a Position and Prosperity have landed in Hell without any hope of return. They professed that they knew God, but in works they denied Him.
A casual attitude toward Christian living is a Condemned Attitude.
| · God is our New Parent. | · Our New Place. |
| · Born from above. | · Our New Possession. |
| · Born Again. | · Our New Position. |
- If your Conduct is not changed, neither is your Character.
- If your Character is not changed, you are not Converted.
- Conversion means Change.
- A conversion that has not changed the converted is no conversion.
Convert means to turn about.
To change from a sinful life to a Holy life.
We are to be the opposite of what we were by nature.
A conversion must be instantaneous where the Conscience is concerned and progressive where the Conduct is concerned.
The New Desire and the New Direction is instantaneous, and the New Knowledge and the New Victory is Progressive.
Just as it is for a natural child, so it is with a spiritual child.
First is the birth, then the need for love and Mother’s milk.
With that comes the love for the parent and provider.
Then with growth comes Knowledge which requires discipline while it is imparted.
There are stages of victory and failure until maturity is reached.
If you see yourself in any of these descriptions, turn to the Lord now while there is still time. Confess your sin of a casual attitude and ask for forgiveness and convert and begin to live for Christ and for Him alone.
Nothing else matters, for nothing is more important!