We feel the burden of our sins and want to rid ourselves of their heavy stain but there is nothing that we do that assures us of a clean conscience before the Almighty and Holy God. The payment for our sin is too great for us, but The Lord did what we could not do and made payment, and then offers it to us as a gift.
"For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves it is the gift of God- not by works so that no one can boast." Ephesians 2:8,9, NIV.
This is the opposite of what we think.
* We think a good deed will balance our bad so in the judgment scale it will all equal out.
* We think if we abstain from doing evil we will be accepted into Heaven.
* We think if we do a bunch of good things God will be so pleased he will let us in Heaven.
* We think if we practice a lot of right behaviors, like honesty or citizenship, we won't go to hell.
* We think if we keep rules like the Ten Commandments we will be saved.
THE BIBLE
The Bible doesn't say that; it teaches that redemption is a gift and God gives it by his grace not our merits. The work that gets us saved is not one we do but one Jesus did for us on the cross when he died for our sins. His death paid for all our sins, and his resurrection proves his sacrifice is acceptable and sufficient.
SAVED TO DO GOOD
Some of the confusion comes from seeing the lives of those who have received salvation. One observes them doing a lot of good things, like going to church, volunteering, tithing, serving and other activities, so we think they are doing those things to get into heaven and be saved from their sins. No, it is not to get saved but because they are saved that they do good works, and because they are freed from the power of sin that they are able to do good things. Good works is a response of gratitude to Our Father who loved us and sent his son to die on the cross for us. It is because we are saved from bad works and saved into doing good works, for God has prepared a life of good works for those who receive it. It is not a life of sitting on a cushion feeling warm about our Creator but a life that says I am His and my actions are a sacrifice of love and thanks.
GIFT
Salvation is a gift and like any gift it is void until it is accepted and received. The Lord offers the gift of salvation to any who will take it. If you are ready to accept the gift of a new life and freedom from your sins then tell God.
To learn more about the plan of salvation click The Gospel tab above.
"For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves it is the gift of God- not by works so that no one can boast." Ephesians 2:8,9, NIV.
This is the opposite of what we think.
* We think a good deed will balance our bad so in the judgment scale it will all equal out.
* We think if we abstain from doing evil we will be accepted into Heaven.
* We think if we do a bunch of good things God will be so pleased he will let us in Heaven.
* We think if we practice a lot of right behaviors, like honesty or citizenship, we won't go to hell.
* We think if we keep rules like the Ten Commandments we will be saved.
THE BIBLE
The Bible doesn't say that; it teaches that redemption is a gift and God gives it by his grace not our merits. The work that gets us saved is not one we do but one Jesus did for us on the cross when he died for our sins. His death paid for all our sins, and his resurrection proves his sacrifice is acceptable and sufficient.
SAVED TO DO GOOD
Some of the confusion comes from seeing the lives of those who have received salvation. One observes them doing a lot of good things, like going to church, volunteering, tithing, serving and other activities, so we think they are doing those things to get into heaven and be saved from their sins. No, it is not to get saved but because they are saved that they do good works, and because they are freed from the power of sin that they are able to do good things. Good works is a response of gratitude to Our Father who loved us and sent his son to die on the cross for us. It is because we are saved from bad works and saved into doing good works, for God has prepared a life of good works for those who receive it. It is not a life of sitting on a cushion feeling warm about our Creator but a life that says I am His and my actions are a sacrifice of love and thanks.
GIFT
Salvation is a gift and like any gift it is void until it is accepted and received. The Lord offers the gift of salvation to any who will take it. If you are ready to accept the gift of a new life and freedom from your sins then tell God.
To learn more about the plan of salvation click The Gospel tab above.
____________________________
You can find more like this in the most helpful post list on the left sidebar.
You can contact me through comments or the email link. If you live near Columbia MD I would be glad to meet you and discuss how you can know for sure that you may have eternal life.
Adron
Use the buttons below to share this with your social networks.
