Salvation and Discipleship - different issues.

"To me, the Bible does not teach a Christian must have good works to earn (Eph. 2:8, 9; Rom 4:5) – or keep (I Pet 1:4) – salvation. While our works committed after our salvation have a tremendous impact on those around us in terms of testimony and upon ourselves in terms of eternal rewards(I Cor. 3:11-15) they have no impact whatsoever on our salvation (Titus 3:5).

Salvation and Service are distinctly different doctrines and while we should possess and evidence both (Eph 2:10), it is possible to have only one. A born again believer can lack the evidential works of Service as seen in the Corinthian church; and the Fool can lack Salvation while having the evidential appearance of good works as seen in the example of the kind, charitable Atheist. Salvation and Discipleship are different issues.

Warnings to maintain good works for service/discipleship should not be construed as a means of obtaining or retaining salvation. Salvation is the free gift of God apart from our works; Discipleship/Christian Growth is the struggle of the two natures. (Rom 7, 8; Eph 4:22-24, Col.3:9-11)"
-excerpt from an email of mine summarizing my understanding of Salvation and Discipleship.


List of Scripture Referenced Above:
Ephesians 2:8-9 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.
Romans 4:5 But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.
1 Peter 1:4 To an inheritance incorruptible, and undefiled, and that fadeth not away, reserved in heaven for you,
1 Corinthians 3:11-15 For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ. Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble; Every man's work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is. If any man's work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward. If any man's work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire.
Titus 3:5 Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;
Ephesians 2:10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.
Romans 7 and 8 - not posted for space' sake. I will do a seperate expositional post soon.
Ephesians 4:22-24 That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts; And be renewed in the spirit of your mind; And that ye put on the new man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness.
Colossians 3:9-11 Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds; And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him: Where there is neither Greek nor Jew, circumcision nor uncircumcision, Barbarian, Scythian, bond nor free: but Christ is all, and in all.

Presented Faultless!

Presented Faultless! Wow, that's a very intense statement. Sobering, too. But not presumptious, and here's why - it's all by His doing, not mine. In me, there is no good thing. Nothing good. But in Christ, I have been made the Righteounsness of God. How can that be? Simple, by grace alone.

Jude 1:24-25 Now unto him that is able to keep you from falling, and to present you faultless before the presence of his glory with exceeding joy, To the only wise God our Saviour, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and ever. Amen.
Romans 7:18 For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform that which is good I find not.
Romans 3:23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;
2 Corinthians 5:21 For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.
Ephesians 2:8-9 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.


Please feel free to join me on this Blog journey of discovering grace in everyday life.