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Misconceptions About Salvation (1)
John R. Gentry
Thus far in our study of God’s plan for our salvation we have discussed 1) Our Need For Salvation, 2) Heaven And Hell, and 3) Christ, Creeds, Christians And The Church. In this article (and the next) we want to look at a few of the more common misconceptions about God’s plan for our salvation.
We’re Saved By Grace Alone Through Faith Alone
Some denominations teach that this is a "most wholesome doctrine" and "full of comfort." But it is not from God. This common teaching comes from a twisting of Eph. 2.8 which actually states, "For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God." The word "alone" is inserted by man. As a matter of fact, the Bible states the exact opposite in Jas. 2.24, "You see that a person is justified by works and not by faith alone." Whose telling the truth: God or man? Certainly Eph. 2.8 teaches us that grace and faith are essential to our salvation, but it does not say they are the only two thing necessary for salvation. The Bible also teaches that we must obey the gospel in order to be saved (Rom. 10.13-17; 2 Thess. 1.7-10; Heb. 5.9).
Some Are Predestined To Be Saved, Others Are Not
This teaching comes from a misconception of passages such as Rom. 8.29-30, Eph. 1.1-14, etc. A close look at these passages shows that predestination refers to salvation being IN Jesus; predestination does not refer to our names being on some master list of the saved and the damned that God fashioned before forming man and the world. The truth from God’s word is that he is no respecter of persons (Acts 10.34-35; Rom. 2.11; Eph. 6.9; Col. 3.25; 1 Pet. 1.17). God desires all to be saved (1 Tim. 2.3-4; 2 Pet. 3.9). God invites all people to receive his grace and mercy (Matt. 11.28; Rev. 22.17). "Choose this day whom you will serve, whether the gods (denominations or man-made religions, JRG) of your fathers...But as for me and my house we will serve the Lord! " (Jos. 24.15).
Lord willing, next week we will discuss the following misconceptions: "the sinner’s prayer;" "we’re saved by a man not by a plan;" and "we must earn our salvation." Have questions? Want more information from the Bible about these misconceptions? Contact me anytime.
originally published in the Banner-Gazette
2007.08.29