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Misconceptions About Salvation (3)
John R. Gentry
In the last two articles we discussed false teachings that provide a false hope for salvation, namely, 1) We’re saved by grace alone through faith alone, 2) Some are predestined to be saved, others are not, 3) The sinner’s prayer, and 4) We’re saved by a man, not by a plan (check web site for archives). This week we want to conclude this series of articles discussing common misconceptions about salvation.
We Must Earn Our Salvation
As discussed in the last article, God has indeed given us a plan that we must accept and obey in order to receive the grace of God that has been freely extended to us. However, it is a misconception that we must do something to earn or merit our salvation. The implication of such a teaching is that we must be good enough to go heaven. That this is a false concept could not be stated any clearer than the words of Paul in Rom. 3.20, "For by works of the law no human being will be justified…" Later in the same passage, Paul said that "all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God." He then stated in 6.23 that "the wages of sin is death." Truly God's mercy and grace (his willingness to forgive our sins) is wholly unmerited and undeserved. It is his free gift to us (Rom. 6.23; Eph. 2.8-9; John 3.16; Rom. 5.6-11; 2 Tim. 1.8-9; Titus 3.4-7). There is absolutely nothing we can do to ever deserve to receive forgiveness and spend an eternity in heaven.
However, it would be equally as wrong to assume that we do not have to do anything at all in order to receive God's grace. If so, then all people would be saved and no one would go to hell. To receive "the grace of God" that "has appeared, bringing salvation to all people" (Titus 2.11), we must obey God in all things. Consider the following: "in every nation anyone who fears him and does what is right is acceptable to him," "not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven," and "also walk in the footsteps of the faith that our father Abraham had" (Acts 10.35; Matt. 7.21; Rom. 4.12).
Much more could be said about every one of these misconceptions. If you desire to talk about these in more detail, feel free to contact me at anytime. The Bible is clear that we must obey God in order to be saved, so for the next several articles we will discuss God’s commands to which we must submit in order to receive his free and gracious salvation.
originally published in the Banner-Gazette
2007.09.12