Post by Sheila on Mar 8, 2024 16:41:04 GMT -5
There are people within various churches or denominations who insist there are one or more things a person needs to do in order to be saved. The most often stated is baptism [topic for another thread]. Anyone who says anything other than faith and belief are required are denying the work of the cross to clean us of our sins and save our souls. If the crucifixion wasn't enough, than Jesus would never have had to suffer that painful and shameful form of punishment. We could all be like the Jews back and follow all of the hundreds of laws and regulations written between the beginning of time and the crucifixion or, like some Christians, the many rituals established since then. Yet there is no one who ever lived, with the exception of Jesus, who can honestly state they have never broken at least one of the rules or failed to participate in a ritual. Although I don't agree with every ritual or rule established by the various denominations, I do agree that the choice to follow those works come through the leading of the Holy Spirit after we've been saved, not as a requirement to be saved.
To verify the fact that we're save for works and not through them, all anyone has to do is read the Bible - the book of Ephesians, chapter 3. Paul, in his letter to the Ephesians, lays it out. "For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith - and this not from yourselves, it is a gift of God - not works, so that no man may boast" (verses 8 and 9). Faith, not works leads to salvation. But Paul also mentions works that Christians will do and when they'll do them. "For we are God's handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do" (verse 10). Although this verse doesn't mention salvation, taken in context with the two previously quoted, it can be taken to mean the works we do for God are assigned to us after we are saved.
The same thing is shown in the book of Acts, chapter 15. In verse 15, some of the Jewish believers are insisting that Gentiles [non-Jews] be required to keep the laws of Moses and to also be circumcised. No one is denying a Christian shouldn't do their best to keep the ten commandments handed down to Moses, but these Jews seem to have wanted all Christians to follow every little rule and regulation including circumcision, the food restrictions, and all of the others. There is nothing wrong with doing these things if a person chooses to do so. Circumcision for males is more hygienic. Avoiding certain types of meat and other foods can lead to healthier lives. But they must have also been insisting all of things be done in order to be saved. There would be no other reason for Peter's rebuke when he stated, "We believe it is through the grace of our Lord Jesus that we [the Jews] are saved, just as they [the Gentiles] are" (verse 11).
If you believe disregarding any of the Old Testament rules and restrictions will in some way harm your walk with God, by all means follow them. The same applies for modern rules against such things as dancing, wearing certain types of clothing . . . the list could go on. If following any of those rules help you stay focused on your faith and beliefs, follow them. However, you're not required to do so in order to be saved. Only faith and belief in the work of Jesus and his death on the cross can do that.
* Quotes from the New International Version of the Bible
To verify the fact that we're save for works and not through them, all anyone has to do is read the Bible - the book of Ephesians, chapter 3. Paul, in his letter to the Ephesians, lays it out. "For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith - and this not from yourselves, it is a gift of God - not works, so that no man may boast" (verses 8 and 9). Faith, not works leads to salvation. But Paul also mentions works that Christians will do and when they'll do them. "For we are God's handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do" (verse 10). Although this verse doesn't mention salvation, taken in context with the two previously quoted, it can be taken to mean the works we do for God are assigned to us after we are saved.
The same thing is shown in the book of Acts, chapter 15. In verse 15, some of the Jewish believers are insisting that Gentiles [non-Jews] be required to keep the laws of Moses and to also be circumcised. No one is denying a Christian shouldn't do their best to keep the ten commandments handed down to Moses, but these Jews seem to have wanted all Christians to follow every little rule and regulation including circumcision, the food restrictions, and all of the others. There is nothing wrong with doing these things if a person chooses to do so. Circumcision for males is more hygienic. Avoiding certain types of meat and other foods can lead to healthier lives. But they must have also been insisting all of things be done in order to be saved. There would be no other reason for Peter's rebuke when he stated, "We believe it is through the grace of our Lord Jesus that we [the Jews] are saved, just as they [the Gentiles] are" (verse 11).
If you believe disregarding any of the Old Testament rules and restrictions will in some way harm your walk with God, by all means follow them. The same applies for modern rules against such things as dancing, wearing certain types of clothing . . . the list could go on. If following any of those rules help you stay focused on your faith and beliefs, follow them. However, you're not required to do so in order to be saved. Only faith and belief in the work of Jesus and his death on the cross can do that.
* Quotes from the New International Version of the Bible
Copyright © 2024 by Sheila Rae Myers