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Many are taught & believe by people they trust:. Must I Do Something To Be Saved?. There is nothing they must do to be saved. Attend most any funeral. Listen to how most people talk about life after death. Famous sinners in heaven: Elvis, Michael Jackson, etc.
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Many are taught & believe by people they trust: Must I Do Something To Be Saved? There is nothing they must do to be saved. Attend most any funeral Listen to how most people talk about life after death Famous sinners in heaven: Elvis, Michael Jackson, etc. So-called preachers, pastors, priests saying these things.
Pope Francis assures atheists: You don’t have to believe in God to go to heaven “You ask me if the God of the Christians forgives those who don’t believe and who don’t seek the faith. I start by saying – and this is the fundamental thing – that God’s mercy has no limits if you go to him with a sincere and contrite heart. The issue for those who do not believe in God is to obey their conscience.” “Sin, even for those who have no faith, exists when people disobey their conscience.” (Sept. 11, 2013, The Independent; UK News)
Many are taught & believe: Must I Do Something To Be Saved? There is nothing they must do to be saved. Attend most any funeral Listen to how most people talk about life after death For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God (Eph. 2:8). Famous sinners in heaven: Elvis, Ted Kennedy, etc. So-called preachers, pastors, priests saying these things. Saved by grace only or faith only or a combination. Alleged: Faith is given by the grace of God – Not your fault if you don’t believe. (perversion of Eph. 2:8)
Must I Do Something To Be Saved? • The correct answer does NOT come from: • Preachers, pastors, priests… • Parents • What most people think • What most Bible scholars generally agree on • How you feel about it • The Pope or any other famous religious leader • But, The Scriptures! • "It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing; the words that I have spoken to you are spirit and are life. (John 6:63)
The Correct Answer Came From God • When Jesus came into the region of Caesarea Philippi, He asked His disciples, saying, “Who do men say that I, the Son of Man, am?” (Matt. 16:13) • Disciples gave various answers (v. 14). • Peter gave the correct answer (v. 16). • Jesus answered and said to him, "Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah, for flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but My Father who is in heaven. (Matt. 16:17)
Our Relation To God • He created us (Gen. 1:26). • God is the source of truth – He defines right and wrong, good and evil (Jn. 17:17). • …Let God be true but every man a liar. (Rom. 3:4) • We sin when we transgress God’s Word (1 Jn. 3:4). • He sets the rules, we don’t (Jer. 10:23). • Sin separates us from God (Isa. 59:1-2). • All sin, therefore all separated from God (Rom. 3:23). • God sent His Son to save us (Lk. 19:10; Jn. 3:16). • Judged by the Words of Jesus (Jn. 12:48; 2 Cor. 5:10).
Must I Do Something To Be Saved? • Saul on his way to persecute Christians, in good conscience (Acts 9:1-2). • So he, trembling and astonished, said, “Lord, what do You want me to do?” Then the Lord said to him, “Arise and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.” (Acts 9:6) • Went into Damascus and for 3 days prayed and fasted (v.9-11). • Ananias, sent by the Lord, came to Saul and said, “And now why are you waiting? Arise and be baptized, and wash away your sins, calling on the name of the Lord.” (Acts 22:16) • This is what Saul was told he MUST do!
Must I Do Something To Be Saved? • Saul’s faith, prayers, and penitent attitude did not wash away his sins. • These are important, but it was his obedience to the Lord’s command to be baptized that cleansed him from sin. • Reading other cases of conversion in the book of Acts, we are not surprised at what the Lord told Saul he MUST do. • Faith, Repentance and Baptism were steps in other examples we are given by the Holy spirit.
Must I Do Something To Be Saved? • In Acts 16:30, the jailer asked Paul and Silas, “What must I do to be saved?” • The jailer thought there was something he MUST do. • If there were nothing for him to do, this would be the opportune time for Paul to say so. • Paul taught him the gospel plan of salvation and he was baptized into Christ that very same hour of the night (v. 33). • After his baptism the text reads, “…he rejoiced, having believed in God with all his household.” (Acts 16:34)
Must I Do Something To Be Saved? • And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of Godabides forever. (1 John 2:17) • “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Fatherin heaven.” (Matthew 7:21) • “But why do you call Me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and do not do the things which I say? (Luke 6:46) • And having been perfected, He became the author of eternal salvation to all who obey Him, (Hebrews 5:9)