Are you sure of heaven?
“In the Garden” is a hymn my grandma loved and that I had a friend sing at my husband Gilbert’s funeral. It wasn’t one he knew, he was too young, but because of my mom and grandma, we knew it and it comforted us because Gilbert knew and believed upon Jesus as His Savior.
There are going to be many in this world who will experience God’s wrath because they never made peace with God by believing on His Son Jesus as their Savior (John 3:14-18; John 3:36). Their sins are separating them from God, not even one lie will enter heaven (for those who think they are good – Rev 21:27).
The wages of sin is death
The penalty (wages) for your sins is eternal death, and we have all sinned (Rom 3:23; 6:23). Man sinned, so man had to die. But Jesus Christ (who was God in the flesh), came to earth, and was born of a virgin (as the Scriptures prophesied from the beginning). Jesus fulfilled over 300 prophecies of the Messiah/Christ to come, proving He is who He said He was. Before Abraham was even in existence, Jesus was the ‘I AM’ – God Himself.
Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I am. John 8:58
MORE ON WHO JESUS SAID HE WAS (in John 8)
12 Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the Light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life.
23 And he said unto them, Ye are from beneath; I am from above: ye are of this world; I am not of this world. 24 I said therefore unto you, that ye shall die in your sins: for if ye believe not that I am he, ye shall die in your sins.
28 Then said Jesus unto them, When ye have lifted up the Son of man, then shall ye know that I AM he, (Jn. 8:12,23-24,28a)
Jesus died in a way that was prophesied well before it was a method of execution (on a cross). But the difference is, He did not die in vain, (even though there are some who deny the resurrection — like Dietrich Bonhoeffer). Jesus said HE had the power to take His life back up again (only God has that power) and He did just that. He died for our sins on the cross, He was buried and three days later, He rose again from the dead. Proving He is God and that He had the victory over sin death and the grave (John 10:17-18; 1 Cor 15:3-4; 1 Cor 15:50-57).
Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ and you shall be saved
All who believe on Jesus (apart from trusting on any work of their own), will be saved and passed instantly from the hold of eternal death into everlasting life. We are translated into the Kingdom of God’s Dear Son (John 5:24; 6:40,47; Col 1:13). As your position as one of God’s children (Jn 1:12), you have been forgiven all of your sins, past, present and future (Acts 13:38-39; Col 2:13-15). And you now currently possess eternal life, solely because you believed God’s testimony of His Son (1 John 5:9-13). You shall never perish, and no man (including yourself) can take you out of His hand, because you are sealed by the Spirit until the day of redemption (Eph 1:13-14, 4:30, John 10:28-29).
TO THOSE WHO SAY THEY ARE CHRISTIAN BUT WHOSE ‘GOSPEL’ INCLUDES WORKS
Woe to you…
Galatians 1:6-10 and 2 Cor 11:3-4 are some Scriptures that address you. There are people who call themselves Christians who believe they are saved because they ‘turned from their sin’ and maybe they also have ‘confessed their sin’, or ‘committed their lives to Him’.
What good things to do, what problem could I possibly have with it?
They will say, “You just want to sin like the devil”.
OR
“You are one of those cheap grace people aren’t you?”
“You are one of those cheap grace people aren’t you?”
OR
“You just want to keep on sinning. You LOVE your sin don’t you?”
The Bible says your gospel (which needs your works to actually work) is another gospel and is accursed and will not save.
Cheap grace!
God’s grace is never cheap or greasy. I would tremble at putting those terms in with God’s grace. Turning from sins for a believer is always a good work to be done with God’s help. An Ungodly sinner (Rom 5:6-8) is incapable of even what would be considered ‘godly sorrow’. Thankfully, Christ died for us while we were yet sinners. I don’t know about some of these people but I was definitely ‘yet’ a sinner when Christ died for me. In fact, I wasn’t even born when He died knowing each of my sins that are now in my past, the sins I am committing now, and more than me, He knows the sins I will commit, and He has forgiven them. He washed me, bought me and made peace with His blood at the cross. He perfected me forever by His one sacrifice. (Acts 20:28; Rev 1:5; Col 1:19-20; Heb 10:10,14)
What does Repent mean?
Repent does not mean to ‘turn from sin’ when eternal life is spoken of. But if you really want to know more about that, I have a multi-part series on my page, part one can be seen HERE. Every single usage of the word in the New Testament is examined. Again, Repent does not = ‘turn from sin’ and if you believe that, you have added works to your gospel.
THE THIEF OF THE CROSS
Like my friend Laura reminded me of, the thief on the cross was saved. Yet he had no time to do any of these works that people think are necessary to be saved. The thief simply BELIEVED. He did none of these works, yet Jesus assured him after they died the thief would be with Him in Paradise.
Do not add these works to the FREE GIFT of salvation!
- Baptism
- Church membership
- Observing the Sabbath
- Keeping the commandments
- Vegan eating
- Not getting married
- Tithing
- Giving to the poor
- Sacraments
- Mass
- Turning from Sin
- Going door to door
- Becoming a disciple
- Good works of any kind
SO…
If that is any of the above is any part of how you got ‘saved’, then you are still lost. Repent, (change your thinking), because you ought to think that only faith in Christ and His work (Christ and Him crucified) can save.
The Word of God is clear, it is NOT by works of righteousness that we have done (Titus 3:4-7; Eph 2:8-9; Rom 2:2-5).
BUT (they love to say)…
Faith without works is dead!
These confused and deceived souls will often say, ‘faith without works is dead’(somehow in their mind proving one must work with their faith in order to be saved eternally). Abraham was already ‘saved’ well before he offered up Isaac on the cross. He was already justified, already declared righteous in the sight of God, while he was still uncircumcised, decades before the offering up of Isaac.
THEY MIGHT ADD AT THIS POINT…
“Even the demons believe and tremble…”
Yes, the demons believe that God is real and they tremble because they know what they face and Who He is. The person addressed was told ‘you do well’ (to believe). But the point is in James 2, faith without works is useless to benefit others. The justification spoken of in this chapter is not in front of God. They were already addressed in James as believers, brethren, sister, beloved, the Spirit dwelling in them etc. The exhortation in James to is for sealed, indwelt, badly behaving believers to stop showing partiality and start demonstrating their to others BY their good works towards them (Titus 3:8) — which is beneficial to all. Demons are not now and never were offered salvation.
LOADS TOO HEAVY TO BEAR
I have heard them say, “I NEVER did this”, or “I ALWAYS did that” (implying that they didn’t do the BIG sins, all while they look down their prideful nose at you, while tossing a couple hate-filled epithets towards you. They have just committed one of the seven things God hates and are guilty of murder in the process (Matt 5:21-22; Pr 6:16-19). This obvious fact seems to sadly elude them.
The ones that always ‘get’ me are the ones who think they’ve stopped sinning. I usually tell them something like this. “Is that what your wife tells you?” Like the Pharisees, they try to place heavy burdens on people that they themselves cannot even do although they act like they do in front of other people (Matt 23:4-5; Luke 11:45-46). Again, dear one, just ask your wife.
BUT
They say, you must earn it — you must pick up your cross, you must count the cost (discipleship), you must work out your salvation in fear and trembling. They don’t have a clue this speaks to the beloved (already saved), nor do they ask “What kind of salvation/deliverance does this speak to? Their heroes like Paul Washer opine (with a whine), ‘you must examine yourself to see if you are saved’ (misusing, misquoting and twisting 2 Cor 13:5, never looking at context and the fact that they were saved proves that Paul was an apostle).
Remember Peter speaking of those untaught and unstable people who twisted the Scriptures to their own destruction? Listen friends, just because someone uses a lot of Bible verses doesn’t mean they understand context or are ‘apt to teach’ the Word (2 Tim 2:23-26).
Be a noble Berean
Be a Berean when someone is telling you something (Acts 17:11). Look up Scriptures and do it with the right attitude. Firstly for God’s Approval, not in order to prove your point (2 Tim 2:15). Secondly with reverence for His Word, in love knowing the treasure you are handling (Is 66:2: Ps 119:140, 162). Thirdly, although it may be a weapon (the Sword – Eph 6:17; Heb 4:12), it doesn’t need your fleshly quick answer brought forth in anger, which may quickly lop off someone’s ear like Peter in the garden (I can be addressing myself here).
God’s Word
God’s Word should accomplish a few things we should look for (when someone suggests they’re using it correctly). Is 55:10-11 tells us the way it should settle (like the rain or snow from heaven) and what it will provide (Seed for the Sower and food for the eater). If someone is giving you God’s Word and it isn’t working that way, examine yourselves prayerfully to see if maybe you are not willing to learn or willing to unlearn something. Check to see if your attitude is the right one (2 Tim 2:15). If that’s not the problem, make sure you also search the Scriptures and prove the context. Ask questions. Use the Word rightly to cut off the opportunity of those who set themselves up as ministers of righteousness (2 Cor 11:12-15), corrupting minds from the simplicity that is in Christ (2 Cor 11:3-4) with their accursed gospel (Gal 1:6-10). Don’t give them any subjection for even an hour (Gal 2:4-5).
That’s not my job to judge…
How often I’ve heard that someone thinks they should just ‘be nice’ and/or ‘it’s not my job to judge others’. I saw one the other day say judging false teaching should not be done in front of unbelievers (they might want to re-read Galatians or even Acts 15). We should all (as brethren) be marking and avoiding those who bring another doctrine (Rom 16:17) and we should take heed to the doctrine which will ‘save’ both us and our hearers (1 Tim 4:16). We are to judge with a righteous judgment however, and not according to the appearance (Jn 7:24).
Christian friends…
Please — stop quoting questionable men with questionable doctrine. Stop defending them. You may be leading someone to a wolf or at the very least confusion. We already have a famine in the land for the hearing of God’s Word. Instead, won’t you consider spending some quality time in the Scriptures, so you might be able to feed His sheep? (Luke 10:38-42; John 21:15-17). You can show Jesus your love this way. Don’t lead them to drink from a tainted cistern.
And if you think YOU can’t be fooled, you’re likely not too wise. Acts 20:25-32 is TO elders of the church that Paul was concerned could be fooled. 1 Timothy 4:16 was to a pastor that needed warned to take heed to the doctrine. Galatians 2 is about rebuking even the apostles for not being straightforward about the truth of the gospel. So are you somehow more wise and discerning?
Are you better than them? Don’t be high-minded!
Stop telling someone else who is contending for the faith (with sound speech) what they should or shouldn’t be doing. Most especially if you cannot exhort them with the Word of God rightly used. Your feelings aren’t necessarily truth. Stop, pray — use the backspace 
Real unity comes with two walking together agreed in doctrine. An understanding of what fellowship is not ignoring problems and letting walls build up. It comes with honesty and an agreement (homologeo) that what you have done is wrong (with other brethren and God). Let’s walk forward as the body in unity in the TRUTH and growing up into the head which is Christ, not tossed about by every wind of doctrine. And we are exhorted to contend EARNESTLY for the faith once delivered, because faithful brethren did it for us. Many laid down their very lives to do just that. Ask God to help you be faithful. And if your faith is small, get into the Word, praying, ask Him to help build it up. He will.
Love in Christ to you all.
If you have believed on Christ and Him crucified (apart from any work you might do or promise to do), then you are saved FOREVER. Never to be lost (John 10:28-29).
If you have never believed on Him, have questions, or would like to know more. You can read more at this link, or comment simply asking for more info (use your correct email which will not be shown) and I’ll contact you.
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Thanks Holly wonderful article.
Thank you Mary, it wasn’t planned, just came out of a conversation and thought I’d share it over here 🙂
God bless your week.
Love your blog. Been reading it for a year now. You have a YouTube channel?
Stephen, I really appreciate you commenting. I do not have a youtube channel, not very advanced in those areas 🙂 I know Pastor Cucuzza does have a youtube channel, it is found at this link:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCTDatsSnmtyA1S-g8Tl8nIw
Looking forward to interacting more with you.
Holly, do you believe that simply “believe” (mental assent) to the fact that Christ died for my sins and rise again (1 corinthians 15 1:8) is enough to be saved?
Yi, I apologize, you were in my spam file.
Although I cannot tell which verse you are trying to cite, I don’t believe the Word of God qualifies the type of belief.
Believing happens with the mind. So it matters what we are believing. Someone might believe that Jesus was a real and historical figure, but do not believe in His Deity. Another might believe He was simply a good man, only a prophet, or the half brother of Satan. That would be another Jesus.
Someone oddly might believe that He died and rose again, yet they don’t believe upon Jesus for their salvation.
Arguments about ‘mental assent’ I feel are the ways of people like Paul Washer, John MacArthur, Ray Comfort and other such men who teach a works-laden gospel. They feel they have a part in this by proof of works. If they have ‘really’ or ‘truly’ believed, they ‘will’ do this or that. Theirs is a false gospel. 2 Cor 11:3-4 is clear we are not to bear with either type.
So the ‘mental assent’ argument is just that. An argument that detracts from preaching Christ and Him crucified (and risen again from the dead) for my sins. And trusting that it is the gospel itself that is the power of God unto salvation (Rom 1:16-17; 1 Cor 1:17-18), not the excellency of speech or wisdom of some men’s words…