At the pearly gates of heaven, two men sat together. They were waiting for St. Peter to admit them into heaven. One of the men had been a business man, and the other had been a construction worker.The business man was smug, and sure of himself. "Surely they'll let me in." He thought to himself. He looked at the construction worker sitting next to him. "This guy doesn't have a chance of getting in." Finally, the business man broke the silence. The business man introduced himself. "I'm Jonathan P. Johnson Jr." The construction worker said, "I'm Jack Logan. Nice to meet you." Then the business man asked Jack a question. "So, my friend, what did you do to get here?" Jack seemed surprised. "Do? All I did was believe in Jesus Christ." The business man scoffed. "Is that all? Nothing is free. You have to earn it. Take me for example, I was an important man in the community and in the church. I served as a deacon and as president of the congregation. I donated my time and money to the community. Let's face it friend, I've earned my place here."Then St. Peter came out. He called out Jack Logan's name. "Jack Logan, you may enter heaven." The business man was stunned, his name wasn't called. He went up to St. Peter. "What gives? Why does he get in and not me? After all, think of all the good things I have done." St. Peter said, "Jack Logan got in because of his faith in Jesus Christ. Good works are fine, but they don't save. Prehaps you should have read the Scripture that says, 'For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith-and this not from yourselves, it is a gift of God-not by works, so that no one can boast." (Eph.2:8,9)There are many people, some Christians included, who believe that they have to earn salvation. Good works are fine, but they don't save. Only faith in Jesus Christ saves. In the life of the Christian, good works show that faith is living, and the Holy Spirit is at work."Salvation unto us has come,By God's free grace and favor.Good works cannot avert our doom,They help and save never.Faith looks to Jesus Christ alone;Who did for all the world atone;He is our one Redeemer."(Salvation unto us has come. verse 1Paul Speratus 1484-1551The Lutheran Hymnal, 1941)
I'm saved by grace.
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Jon-Marc
New Member
There will be many in heaven that no one thought would be there, and there will be many missing that many thought would be there. Many are trusting in their own goodness and works, yet we are told that "all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags", and "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." The important thing is whether or not our names are written in the Lamb's Book of Life. Jesus said, "Ye must be born again."
Thanks for your comment. Pray for those who don't know Christ, andbelieve that they will saved by their good works. Only faith in Christ saves.Michael CarterJude 24,25
Salvation by grace is what all who are in heaven get there on.. and part of beleiving is doing also... dont' think that if you say a schoolboy prayer and live like the devil, you are in like flynn.
Jon-Marc
New Member
Very true. "Faith without works is dead." That doesn't mean that works are a part of salvation, but they are a testimony to others that we have faith and have been saved. If there are no good works, then it's a good possibility that the faith is false, and the person was never saved. God knows our hearts and minds, but the world can only judge by what they see. If they see us living like there's no God and no judgment, then what kind of testimony are we? We can say, "I'm a Christian", but do our lives show it?
(Jon-Marc;12113)
We can say, "I'm a Christian", but do our lives show it?
By what standard do we use?
We can say, "I'm a Christian", but do our lives show it?
By what standard do we use?
Jon-Marc
New Member
(RND;12142)
By what standard do we use?
By God's standard of course. People will know that we are Christians by our love. If that is missing then how will they know? Also, do we desire God's will in our lives, or are we seeking to please ourselves?
By what standard do we use?
By God's standard of course. People will know that we are Christians by our love. If that is missing then how will they know? Also, do we desire God's will in our lives, or are we seeking to please ourselves?
(Jon-Marc;12147)
By God's standard of course.
That seems fairly vague. Is there anything in the Bible that reveals His standard to us?
People will know that we are Christians by our love. If that is missing then how will they know?
The Bible says that even the wicked and ungodly love those that love them. Are you referring to this type of love or another?
Also, do we desire God's will in our lives, or are we seeking to please ourselves?
What is God's will? Is there a specific standard that He communicated to let us know what His will is? Where would one look or what scripture would one referrence to find out what God's will is?
By God's standard of course.
That seems fairly vague. Is there anything in the Bible that reveals His standard to us?
People will know that we are Christians by our love. If that is missing then how will they know?
The Bible says that even the wicked and ungodly love those that love them. Are you referring to this type of love or another?
Also, do we desire God's will in our lives, or are we seeking to please ourselves?
What is God's will? Is there a specific standard that He communicated to let us know what His will is? Where would one look or what scripture would one referrence to find out what God's will is?
Here is a passage that is germane to the topic of discussion. Or, perhaps not.
Romans 2:5 But because of your stubbornness and unrepentant heart you are storing up wrath for yourself in the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God, 6 who WILL RENDER TO EACH PERSON ACCORDING TO HIS DEEDS: 7 to those who by perseverance in doing good seek for glory and honor and immortality, eternal life; 8 but to those who are selfishly ambitious and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, wrath and indignation.
Of course, what do we have that we did not receive?
Romans 2:5 But because of your stubbornness and unrepentant heart you are storing up wrath for yourself in the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God, 6 who WILL RENDER TO EACH PERSON ACCORDING TO HIS DEEDS: 7 to those who by perseverance in doing good seek for glory and honor and immortality, eternal life; 8 but to those who are selfishly ambitious and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, wrath and indignation.
Of course, what do we have that we did not receive?
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