God’s Promise about Salvation

And if I go and prepare a place for you,I will come again and will take you to myself,

that where I am you may be also.(John 14:3) 

No doubt you do have eternal life, the question is where do you want to spend your eternal life?

The promise of salvation resonated even in the beginning, through the present and foretold in the future. Throughout time, we have magnified the holy scriptures that surely and undoubtedly expresses the depth of God’s love stated in John 3:16-17 “For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him. This is surely one of the most magnificent and benevolent scriptures ever written – God SO LOVED THE WORLD! God’s love for us, that He sacrificed HIS son so that we may be saved from destruction; those who hear his calling; accepts his love in “body” “mind” and “spirit;” and are willing to live their lives for Him.

Salvation is through the sovereignty and grace of God through Jesus Christ; it is the redemption and deliverance of our sinful nature and continuous relationship with God here on earth as in Heaven. “Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures" (1 Cor 15:3) and was handed to death for our trespasses (Rom 4:25). What Jesus did in our name he also did in our place, giving "his life as a ransom for many" (Matt 20:28).

And if Christ demonstrated his love by dying when we were still sinners, how much more shall we now be saved by his life? (Rom 5:8-10).

How do you receive salvation?

Salvation is received by faith based on solely the grace of God. Further God says, "For if through the offense of one, many be dead, much more the grace of God, and the gift by grace, which is by one man, Jesus Christ, hath abounded unto many" (Rom. 5:15). The Grace of God is the unmerited love and favor of God towards us. It is the divine influence of God to change a sinful man and make him pure and justify him before a holy and righteous God. Grace is received by free will and will not benefit us unless we accept it from the Father when it is offered; therefore, heaven is not earned nor deserved, but offered as the free gift of God. While we were foolish, sinful nor deserving, God’s kindness and mercy presented a sin debt; Jesus Christ Himself, his son, through his dying on the cross, shedding His righteous and innocent blood, paid for our sin, our sinful nature. 1 John. 2:2, Says on the Cross every sin ever committed by man was paid for in full. "And he is the conciliation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world." Which means "full payment." Christ came to earth, God incarnate in Man, to save man and give him victory over death and to give eternal life in the very presence of God.

So, how do we receive this Grace? Your willingness to hear and embrace of the truth that Jesus is the way, the truth and the light (John 14:6); your deliverance because of his sacrificial love, your declaration that Jesus is the Son of the Living God, your action to repent, be baptized in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit, and to have a continuous loving relationship with God in loving Him and adoring Him, loving yourself and loving others:

• ...“If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved. “ (Romans 10:8-10) 
• “I came not to call the righteous, but sinners to repentance." (Luke 5:32) 
• "I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish." (Luke 13:3)
• Let all the house of Israel therefore know for certain that God has made him both Lord and Christ, this Jesus whom you crucified.” Now when they heard this they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?” And Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. (Acts 2:36-38)
• “And he answered, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind, and your neighbor as yourself.” And he said to him, “You have answered correctly; do this, and you will live.” (Luke 10:25-28)

How do you know when you are saved?

How many of us have the full assurance that we are saved? We, by the grace of God, must not yield to the wiles of Satan giving us doubt, worry, insecurity, which can pave the way to false teaching, doctrine and false hope.

• Dear friends, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that has come on you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. 13 But rejoice inasmuch as you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed. (1 Peter 4:12-13)

We have absolute assurance from God through his promise and his word:

• ‘These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life, and that you may continue to believe in the name of the Son of God"  (1 John 5:13)
• "Lord Jesus wanted his followers to be so sure of their salvation that they would rejoice more in the expectation of heaven than in victories on earth. ‘These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life, and that you may “continue” to believe in the name of the Son of God (1 John 5:13).’
• For the Scripture says, “Everyone who believes in him will not be put to shame.” For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek; for the same Lord is Lord of all, bestowing his riches on all who call on him. For “everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” (Romans 10:11-13)
• I give them eternal life, and they will never perish, and no one will snatch them out of my hand. My Father, who has given them to me, is greater than all, and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father's hand. (John 10:28-29)

By living our life in grace and the resolution in our heart to keep following God, we can have an assurance of future salvation. There are many who have lived Christian lives and whose characters are marked with profound spiritual joy and peace. These can look forward with confidence to their reception in heaven. As with Paul, writing at the end of his life, "I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that Day" (2 Tim. 4:7-8). But Paul did not claim this assurance, either during his present state or future speculation: "I am not aware of anything against myself, but I am not thereby justified. It is the Lord who judges me" (1 Cor. 4:4). Concerning his remaining life, Paul was frank in admitting that even he could fall away: "I pummel my body and subdue it, lest after preaching to others, I myself should be disqualified" (1 Cor. 9:27). Of course, it would be quite unexpected and out of character for Paul to fall from God’s grace. Nevertheless, he points out that, however much confidence in his own salvation he may be warranted in feeling, without faith, he cannot be infallibly sure either of his own present state or of his future course.

Salvation through Faith, Not Works

The person who places his “faith” in the Lord Jesus Christ and his blood shed at Calvary is eternally secure and can never lose his salvation when he “remains” in the state of Grace. As Jesus himself tells us, "He who endures to the end will be saved" (Matt. 24:13). One who dies in the state of friendship with God (the state of grace) will go to heaven; but one who dies in a state of enmity and rebellion against God will not. To deny the assurance of salvation would be to deny Christ’s perfect redemption. Christ died on the cross once for all and has entered into the holy place in heaven to appear before God on our behalf, but that does not mean that there is no condition that must be applied by us.

"For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast." "For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them." (Eph 2:8-10).

According to scripture, we can't be 'saved' by our works, “but” we are should live a Godly life. We aren't to claim we are Christians and continue to live as those in the world. It is not considered “works” when we worship, adore and love the way God wants us to live our lives. It isn’t works when we love and serve others through compassion consumed with our heart and soul. It isn’t works when we praise and worship God in unity with others; when we share in testimony and faith with those who do not know God. It isn’t works when we celebrate when others become sanctified in the Holy Spirit. It isn’t works when we acknowledge and embrace the sacrifice that Jesus died for our eternal salvation. It isn’t works when we have a constant relationship with God through His word and prayers; giving our every wants, desires and concerns to God that only He can provide. We love and serve because God loves us. When we accept Jesus Christ as personal Savior and knowing that we are His when we walk in faith, we are transformed, there is a change in mindset. This is not exercising systematic rituals and chores; when you “do” works systematically, you are not transformed.

"Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity." (Matthew 22:37-40)

Your Salvation is Continuous

Although Salvation is a gift from God and a gift available to everyone, salvation can be lost. To be apostate to the belief and will of God; to become indifferent, to be a storefront Christian, not living the life that God instructs. It is of grave spiritual danger to live a sinful life yet profess to be a Christian with deliberate thought, consent and action; the unrighteous will not enter the kingdom of God:

"Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind, nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God." 1 Corinthians 6:9

This, of course, is not the true child of God; yet, it is necessary for us to hear the gospel to repent and embrace it, there is a time at which we come to be reconciled to God; as the prodigal son, the need to come back and be reconciled again with God with remorse and repentance; God welcomes us and forgives us with open arms.

The issue addressed is can one lose salvation can one can know with complete certainty that we are in a state of salvation. The ability to know that we are abiding in grace important and must be taken seriously; scripture teaches that genuine assurance is possible and desirable, but it also warns us that we can be deceived through a false assurance "Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling." (Philippians 2:12). The same is true of us. We can, if our lives display a pattern of perseverance and spiritual fruit, have not only a confidence in our present state of grace but also of our future perseverance with God.

• Yet we cannot have an infallible certitude of our own salvation. There is the possibility of self-deception (cf. Matthew 7:22-23). As Jeremiah expressed it, "The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately corrupt; who can understand it?" (Jeremiah 17:9). 
• There is also the possibility of falling from grace through mortal sin, and even of falling away from the faith entirely, for as Jesus told us, there are those who "believe for a while and in time of temptation fall away" (Luke 8:13).

It is in the light of these warnings and admonitions that we must understand Scripture’s positive statements concerning our ability to know and have confidence in our salvation. Assurance we may have; infallible certitude we may not.

Hebrews 6:4-6 For it is impossible, in the case of those who have once been enlightened, who have tasted the heavenly gift, and have shared in the Holy Spirit, and have tasted the goodness of the word of God and the powers of the age to come, and then have fallen away, to restore them again to repentance, since they are crucifying once again the Son of God to their own harm and holding him up to contempt.

Becoming more Christ-like is a growing process. Have you noticed how nobody becomes perfect in all their ways the moment they accept Christ? There is a growing process we go through called sanctification.

• "And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ." (1 Thessalonians 5:23). 
• "Flee also youthful lusts: but follow (pursue) righteousness, faith, charity, peace, with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart." (2 Timothy 2:22)

Salvation covers both the physical and spiritual dimensions of life, having relevance for the whole person. On the physical side, entrance into the kingdom requires attention to earthly needs, caring for others, the poor, the caring of the sick (body, mind and spirit), shelter of orphans and being friends of widows (those in need). Jesus demands that a wealthy man give his riches to the poor (Mark 10:17-22). The salvation that comes to Zacchaeus's house inspires him to give half his possessions to the poor (Luke 19:8-10).

• “Wake up, and strengthen what remains and is about to die, for I have not found your works complete in the sight of my God. Remember, then, what you received and heard. Keep it, and repent. If you will not wake up, I will come like a thief, and you will not know at what hour I will come against you. Yet you have still a few names in Sardis, people who have not soiled their garments, and they will walk with me in white, for they are worthy. The one who conquers will be clothed thus in white garments, and I will never blot his name out of the book of life. I will confess his name before my Father and before his angels. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.” (Revelation 3:2-6)
• And because lawlessness will be increased, the love of many will grow cold. But the one who endures to the end will be saved. 14 And this gospel of the kingdom will be proclaimed throughout the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come. (Matthew 24:12-14)

How do we remain in God’s Grace?

One can live in the Grace or lose it; example: it can be misplaced (lost to false doctrine; loss of faith); it can be destroyed (disobedience, rejection), or it can be taken away (i.e., Adam and Eve, who received God’s grace, but who fell from grace not only for themselves but for us as well).

Regarding the issue of whether we have an "absolute" assurance of salvation, regardless of actions, consider this warning Paul gave:

"See then the kindness and the severity of God: severity toward those who have fallen, but God’s kindness to you, provided you continue in his kindness; otherwise you too will be cut off" (Rom. 11:22)

And other warnings:

• “For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord” (Romans 6:23)
• Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the first and great commandment. And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets." If we don't love the brethren, we abide in spiritual death (1 John 3:14) 
• Therefore, brothers, be all the more diligent to make your calling and election sure, for if you practice these qualities you will never fall. For in this way there will be richly provided for you an entrance into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. (2 Peter 1:10-11) 

Are you saved?

We can be assured of our present salvation through Father God’s abundance grace. We can be assured that when we “remain” in God’s grace and consciously abide in His word through example and instruction. When we can take precautions through in self-examination, adhere to His directives, and follow His lead and example, the present always becomes the past and the blessed hope for the future. Always remain in the “present” state of grace will carry into the future. The Bible says, I am already saved (Rom. 8:24, Eph. 2:5–8), but I’m also being saved (1 Cor. 1:18, 2 Cor. 2:15, Phil. 2:12), and I have the hope that I will be saved (Rom. 5:9–10, 1 Cor. 3:12–15). Like the apostle Paul: I am working out my salvation in fear and trembling (Phil. 2:12), with hopeful confidence in the promises of Christ (Rom. 5:2, 2 Tim. 2:11–13)."

In 1 John, scriptures help us know whether we are abiding in grace:

• "By this it may be seen who are the children of God, and who are the children of the devil: whoever does not do right is not of God, nor he who does not love his brother" (1 John 3:10);
• "If any one says, ‘I love God,’ and hates his brother, he is a liar; for he who does not love his brother whom he has seen, cannot love God whom he has not seen" (1 John 4:20), 
• "For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments. And his commandments are not burdensome" (1 John 5:3).

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God's Promises

Eternal Life and Salvation