Hello Okou, as you will likely get different answers on this subject, I will share my interpretation of the Bible.
Despite what others say, I don't believe anyone gets "saved" while on earth. I don't see that anywhere in the Bible and it seems to be a man-constructed belief. What I see in the Bible is that because of Jesus's sacrifice we have hope of salvation. What I see in the Bible is that our judgment is what will determine our salvation and not everyone will receive salvation. The Bible says we will all be judged on the same day. It says many will go to hell, and few to heaven. What I see in the Bible is that the outcome is contingent upon our choices and behavior. This reality should be absolutely terrifying to some people. Maybe that's what it will take for some people to start taking God seriously and start obeying and fearing Him. Matthew 10:28. Others who are being running the race and fighting the fight can take comfort and have assurance of future salvation. Currently, we have a lot of self-proclaimed Christians goofing off and enjoying having their cake and eating it too, by unconsciously following the world's values, not God, despite Romans 12:2. Matthew 7:21-23 already predicted how this will turn our for them.
1 Peter 1:5 - "...salvation ready to be revealed in the last time." Notice it doesn't say 'now' or while on 'earth'. It says salvation will be revealed in the last time. I interpret this as the end of time, at judgment day.
1 Cor 9:24-27 "run the race", not the 'race was already won.'
Lots of conditional statements throughout the Bible, depending on our behavior and choices. Notice the word "If" a lot...
John 14:15 "If ye love me, keep my commandments."
Hebrews 10:26 "For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins,"
James 2:14-26 "...faith, if it hath not works, is dead..."
Joshua 24:15 "choose you this day whom ye will serve". Notice this is a daily choice.
Since I ran out of space I thought I'd add one more comment.
The #1 criticism often received is someone claims I don't believe in grace or that I believe we're saved by effort. That is a strawman argument and is untrue. The Bible says Christ followers will be saved by grace, not by works. That is not what is being contested.
Just because we will be saved by grace doesn't mean we should stop obeying Christ! It doesn't mean we should stop following Christ! The fruit of faith is works. A Christian is a Christ follower and if someone doesn't follow Christ they by definition are not even a Christian. And if not a Christian, that person should not expect the benefits of salvation. Matthew 7:21. Many will feel very entitled but will be shocked they aren't welcomed. This is the wake up call many need right now. Get right with the Lord today before its too late!
A Christ follower is action. Those who aren't actively following Christ are may not be Christ followers. And just because we're imperfect and fall down from time to time doesn't mean we're not Christians. This is very different from someone turning their backs on Jesus and following the pleasures of the world (satan). But Jesus said He would go after the lost sheep, not lost wolves! Many people assume they're followers because a pastor told them so, but are instead lost wolves expecting all the benefits of salvation for doing nothing. God bless.
People have freewill:
Psalms 25:12
Joshua 24:15 "choose you this day whom ye will serve"
Hi Okou. I remember a preacher many years ago, put it this way: "Now that Christ has brought you salvation, work it out in your life". We have contributed absolutely nothing towards that salvation - if we did, then it's no longer a Gift from God, but a work done by our own efforts. Then this would never bring us forgiveness of sins & eternal life. It had to be all of God.
The Apostle Paul had just written about Jesus laying aside His Glory which He had with His Father ( Philippians 2:5-8) & willingly laid down His Life for mankind's sins. The believers in Philippi were being encouraged to bring forth fruits from that salvation they received, not just when Paul was present, but also when he was not with them. And this they should do, not in any lighthearted careless manner, but taking their salvation & new birth very seriously, remembering that their lives (& ours) are laid bare before the Lord. Even as we approach our God in all seriousness when in worship & prayer to Him, so too our lives must reflect the great cost of our salvation & abhorence of anything that smells of sin in our lives. When we live in such a manner before our Heavenly Father, we will continue to serve Him giving Him all due reverence with godly fear. Nothing less should come forth from us.
Thanks for adding that! Later after I posted the answer. I remembered I didn't include the amazing gift of Salvation, that we ourselves could not accomplish with out Christ JESUS!
Okou Agnatius,
I answered the question as I would have, to someone who had already received the gift of Salvation through believing in Christ. Chris was right to add that! It does cover that issue some in: 1Peter 1, but in my spirit, I did feel afterward that I had not given you the best most complete answer & it bothered me as I was trying to rest.
Please also see: John 3:15-16, Revelation 19:1, Acts 4:12, Romans 1:16, Romans 10:10, 1Thessalonians 5:8-24, Hebrews 2, Hebrews 5:9,
To, work out your own salvation with fear & trembling : Please read in context Ephesians 2, whole chapter Matthew 25:31-46, Matthew 7, Ephesians 6:11-18, 1Peter 1, whole chapter,
Despite what others say, I don't believe anyone gets "saved" while on earth. I don't see that anywhere in the Bible and it seems to be a man-constructed belief. What I see in the Bible is that because of Jesus's sacrifice we have hope of salvation. What I see in the Bible is that our judgment is what will determine our salvation and not everyone will receive salvation. The Bible says we will all be judged on the same day. It says many will go to hell, and few to heaven. What I see in the Bible is that the outcome is contingent upon our choices and behavior. This reality should be absolutely terrifying to some people. Maybe that's what it will take for some people to start taking God seriously and start obeying and fearing Him. Matthew 10:28. Others who are being running the race and fighting the fight can take comfort and have assurance of future salvation. Currently, we have a lot of self-proclaimed Christians goofing off and enjoying having their cake and eating it too, by unconsciously following the world's values, not God, despite Romans 12:2. Matthew 7:21-23 already predicted how this will turn our for them.
1 Peter 1:5 - "...salvation ready to be revealed in the last time." Notice it doesn't say 'now' or while on 'earth'. It says salvation will be revealed in the last time. I interpret this as the end of time, at judgment day.
1 Cor 9:24-27 "run the race", not the 'race was already won.'
Lots of conditional statements throughout the Bible, depending on our behavior and choices. Notice the word "If" a lot...
John 14:15 "If ye love me, keep my commandments."
Hebrews 10:26 "For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins,"
James 2:14-26 "...faith, if it hath not works, is dead..."
Joshua 24:15 "choose you this day whom ye will serve". Notice this is a daily choice.
The #1 criticism often received is someone claims I don't believe in grace or that I believe we're saved by effort. That is a strawman argument and is untrue. The Bible says Christ followers will be saved by grace, not by works. That is not what is being contested.
Just because we will be saved by grace doesn't mean we should stop obeying Christ! It doesn't mean we should stop following Christ! The fruit of faith is works. A Christian is a Christ follower and if someone doesn't follow Christ they by definition are not even a Christian. And if not a Christian, that person should not expect the benefits of salvation. Matthew 7:21. Many will feel very entitled but will be shocked they aren't welcomed. This is the wake up call many need right now. Get right with the Lord today before its too late!
A Christ follower is action. Those who aren't actively following Christ are may not be Christ followers. And just because we're imperfect and fall down from time to time doesn't mean we're not Christians. This is very different from someone turning their backs on Jesus and following the pleasures of the world (satan). But Jesus said He would go after the lost sheep, not lost wolves! Many people assume they're followers because a pastor told them so, but are instead lost wolves expecting all the benefits of salvation for doing nothing. God bless.
People have freewill:
Psalms 25:12
Joshua 24:15 "choose you this day whom ye will serve"
Psalm 119:30
Luke 16:13
Proverbs 3:31
Fear God:
Joshua 24:14
Psalms 25:12
Proverbs 1:29
Seek God:
Psalms 63:1
All will be judged:
2 Corinthians 5:10
Romans 2:16
John 12:48
Hebrews 9:27
Revelation 20:12
Great way to put it!!! I think you should publish that in perspective, very needed in the World today, within the Church Body & outside 'without' too.
The Apostle Paul had just written about Jesus laying aside His Glory which He had with His Father ( Philippians 2:5-8) & willingly laid down His Life for mankind's sins. The believers in Philippi were being encouraged to bring forth fruits from that salvation they received, not just when Paul was present, but also when he was not with them. And this they should do, not in any lighthearted careless manner, but taking their salvation & new birth very seriously, remembering that their lives (& ours) are laid bare before the Lord. Even as we approach our God in all seriousness when in worship & prayer to Him, so too our lives must reflect the great cost of our salvation & abhorence of anything that smells of sin in our lives. When we live in such a manner before our Heavenly Father, we will continue to serve Him giving Him all due reverence with godly fear. Nothing less should come forth from us.
Thanks for adding that! Later after I posted the answer. I remembered I didn't include the amazing gift of Salvation, that we ourselves could not accomplish with out Christ JESUS!
Okou Agnatius,
I answered the question as I would have, to someone who had already received the gift of Salvation through believing in Christ. Chris was right to add that! It does cover that issue some in: 1Peter 1, but in my spirit, I did feel afterward that I had not given you the best most complete answer & it bothered me as I was trying to rest.
Please also see: John 3:15-16, Revelation 19:1, Acts 4:12, Romans 1:16, Romans 10:10, 1Thessalonians 5:8-24, Hebrews 2, Hebrews 5:9,
John 14:6
Forgive me, I ask
To, work out your own salvation with fear & trembling : Please read in context Ephesians 2, whole chapter Matthew 25:31-46, Matthew 7, Ephesians 6:11-18, 1Peter 1, whole chapter,
Hopefully these are helpful
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