SALVATION--"WHERE THE RUBBER MEETS THE ROAD"

 Good Evening To All!

When the word "salvation" comes to mind, where do you go with it?   Are you of the mind that "I'm saved because I said I receive Jesus as my Savior and the grace from God saves me, or do you REALLY understand what Salvation truly is? 

There are many thoughts on it, such as the one above, or that grace is given to us to help TEACH us how to live for God and KEEP our salvation in tact.  Yes, you read right, keep it in tact.  It is possible to fall away and be lost. 

According to Matthew 7:21,  "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" and Matthew 7:22 goes on to say, "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"?

God tells us that when we receive Salvation, we are to receive the Holy Spirit within us.  When this happens we are to "put off the old man" and put on the new.  This is talking about our nature, our character, our way of dress, our "worldly environment" as well as other things.  He says this because "worldly things" are not of God. 
Some people think, I am saved, I received the Holy Spirit within me, but I still tell dirty jokes, use profanity and wear clothing that shows off my curves, so I guess it's ok with God because HE didn't change me. That can be NO further from the truth.  Even when we become saved, that does not take our "free will" away from us.  God will not force us to do anything.  We still have choices to make.  The key is making the RIGHT CHOICE.

 We know by reading God's Word  what God expects from us.  He goes into detail in His Word as to what  He expects of us and gives us the blueprint of what we must do to enter into His Kingdom.  

This cannot be made any plainer.  We HAVE TO LIVE for God to BE SAVED, and spend an eternity in Heaven with Him.  Sin CANNOT enter into Heaven, which means if we want to end up in Heaven with God, we have to repent and change our lifestyles. 

According to Romans 12:2, our Father says, "And be not conformed to this world: but be ye TRANSFORMED (capitals are mine) by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable; and perfect, will of God." This makes it so plain to me. When we become saved, this is what we should strive for.  He tells us to "come out and be ye separate, in other words, just because we have to live "in" this world does not mean we have to take on its ways.  The whole book of Romans teaches us how to live a holy life, acceptable to God.  This to me says it all.  If we are to be saved, if we really want to spend eternity with our Lord and Savior and reign with Him, Then we must abide by His Word and follow His Word.

Unfortunately, there are those who will be deceived into thinking that as long as you "mutter" those wonderful words, that you will be going to Heaven no matter what.  That is just not the case. 

Think about it logically.  It that is all it takes, then why did God establish His Word?  He could have just made it a history book, but no, He gave us guidelines to live by and to get into Heaven by.

In 2 Corinthians:6 (NIV) God tells us through Paul, "As God's fellow workers, we urge you not to receive God's grace in vain.  (2) For He says, "in the time of my favor I heard you, and in the day of salvation I helped you. 

I tell you, now is the time of God's favor, now is the day of salvation.

He goes on to say that we are to put no stumbling blocks in anyone's path, so that our ministry will not be discredited.  (4) Rather, as servants of God we commend ourselves in every way:  in great endurance; in troubles, hardships and distresses; (5) in beatings, imprisonments and riots; in hard work, sleepless nights and hunger; in purity, understanding, patience and kindness; in the Holy Spirit and sincere love; in truthful speech and in the power of God; with weapons of righteousness in the right hand and in the left.

He continues on in more detail, speaking about not being yoked with an unbeliever.  His reason for this is:  "For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common?  Or what fellowship can light have with darkness?  What harmony is there between Christ and Belial?  What does a believer have in common with an unbeliever?  what agreement is there between the temple of God and idols?  For we are the temple of the living God.  As God has said:  "I will live with them and walk among them, and I will be their God, and they will be my people."

Now, before I go further, let me stress that He is NOT saying if you are a believer and your spouse is not, that you are to get a divorce, or you can't be around family who is unsaved.  He is saying don't partake in their worldly ways.  Don't let them influence you into doing the worldly things they do.  Just because they go out drinking doesn't mean you have to, although you should still go and visit them, go out to eat and so forth.  Just don't let them sway you into doing things that you know are against the will of God.  

(17)  Therefore, come out from them and be separate, says the Lord.  Touch no unclean thing, and I will receive you."  (18) I will be a Father to you, and you will be my sons and daughters, says the Lord Almighty."

2 Corinthians 7:1 says Having therefore these promises , dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.

I know this post may seem a bit long, but this is SO IMPORTANT to me.  As a true Christian, I feel that is is our duty to God to spread His Word.  That is what He told the disciples to do, and His Word NEVER changes, therefore I pray that you will take what I have given you and really think about it.  I used the word "true" because there are people who "call" themselves Christians, yet they don't follow in Christ's ways.  They are Christians in "name only".

I ask you to Pray about it, read His Word and STUDY UP on Salvation.  Let the Holy Spirit "guide you into ALL TRUTH.

I hope you will use this as "food for thought" and chew on it a while, then digest it and put it into action. 

Have a Wonderful Day and May God Bless,