Salvation Issue: Some Basics

Continued from "Is it a ‘salvation issue’?"

As we explore the 'Salvation Issue' topic some more, let's talk about some things that I don't mean, and don't want to imply.

Depth of Understanding
I do not mean to say that if you don’t understand an aspect of salvation or the Bible that you aren’t saved. No-one has an instant understanding of Christianity and Salvation as soon as they accept Christ. This is a process and one can have an uninformed or less mature view of issues in the Bible and doctrine without risking their salvation. It is a learning process and you do not need to be fully mature, to be fully saved. There are not degrees of being ‘saved’ or ‘lost’, you are either ‘saved’ or not. However, there do appear to be degrees of reward for those who are saved, and degrees of punishment for the lost.

Ignorance or Rejection
I do not mean that all who hold non-belief or non-agreement are treated the same. Consider the example set in Luke 12:47-48, where the the informed person who rejects is punished more than the uninformed person. Also consider, Luke 10:1-12 where Jesus commissions the 72 disciples. He instructs them in cities that do not receive them to shake the dust from their sandals, it will be more bearable for Sodom than for that town that rejects His disciples. Being informed of God's will and rejecting it deserves the worst punishment, yet rejecting His will while uninformed still brings punishment, just not as severe.

See also Proverbs 21:2, “All a man's ways seem right to him, but the LORD weighs the heart.” We often think we know best, but God is always right and proves us wrong. It is essential for us to seek God’s will by listening to and studying his Word, communicating with him in prayer, and following the Spirit’s leading.

Salvation by Faith, not by Works
Some may object to salvation through faith by citing James 2:24, "You see that a person is justified by what he does and not by faith alone." You really have to look at the whole passage and the context. For me this basically comes down whether or not your faith is alive or it’s dead. Abraham’s faith was proven to be alive through his actions (or works) not an empty statement that he ‘had faith’. However, we look at the example of the thief on the cross next to Jesus in Luke 23:43, Jesus says to him, "...today you will be with me in paradise." Jesus doesn't put conditions of works or deeds on this criminal.

Also consider the faith chapter, Hebrews 11. The basic pattern introducing each person of faith and indicating their actions… “By faith" the person did something. Hebrews 11:1 “Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.”

You do not lose your salvation every time you sin, likewise you do not gain salvation by doing enough good deeds. Your deeds do not provide salvation, but they are evidence of the faith that you do have (though not perfectly). We can say we believe anything, but we act on what we really believe.