Category Archives: Salvation

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May 14, 2015

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Heaven, Salvation

Will those who worship Allah go to heaven?

Recent statistics show there are over 1.5 billion Muslims and approximately 1 billion Hindus in the world. Besides the two and a half billion people of the world’s second and third largest religions, there are hundreds of millions of other people who worship deities other than the God of the Bible. Many of these worshipers are devoted and serious about their religion. Many are good people who treat others with respect, contribute to their society and sincerely worship the god of their culture and heritage. Do Christians really believe these good, sincere people will be sent to hell because they don’t worship God the same as western Christians? Does the Bible teach sincere worshipers of other gods will go to hell?

These kinds of questions strike a chord deep in hearts. For good people to go to hell for not worshiping the right way or for not calling God by the right name seems patently unfair. The assumption of divine unfairness towards sincere worshipers of other religions reveals wrong ideas about salvation, heaven and hell. The question reveals a belief that one gets to heaven by worship, devotion, good behavior and sincerity.

The Biblical explanation of who goes to heaven has nothing to do with sincerity, goodness or practicing the proper religious rituals. The Bible gives specific examples of sincere, religious men who worshiped and did good but who were nonetheless condemned. Nicodemus was a good man who had great respect for Jesus and who sincerely worshiped God. Jesus told Nicodemus he was lacking something very important and could not enter heaven without it. In the book of Titus, we are told that salvation is “not by works of righteousness which we have done.” (Titus 3:5)

What Nicodemus lacked is what every man needs. Jesus said, “”Except a man be born again can, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” Only those who are born again by believing Jesus is God the Son and their personal Savior will enter into heaven. Going to heaven is not a matter of sincere worship. Going to heaven is a matter of turning to Jesus for forgiveness and trusting only in Him to remove one’s guilt and its consequences. The issue is not an issue of devotion or sincerity. The issue is a matter of reliance.

Those who sincerely worship Allah have no more chance of entering heaven by their devotion than those who sincerely worship Jesus have by their faithful church attendance. Those who worship Allah cannot go to heaven until they acknowledge Jesus is God and Savior and ask Him to forgive their sin. Those who worship Vishnu cannot go to heaven until they acknowledge Jesus is the only God and Savior and trust Him alone to forgive their sin. Those who worship their ancestors cannot go to heaven until they acknowledge Jesus alone is God and is the only one able to wash away the stain of sin. Those who worship Jesus cannot go to heaven until they acknowledge He is God and Savior and rely only on Him for forgiveness of sin. Worship (in the sense of religious ritual and devotion) is never a means to salvation, no matter who is being worshiped.

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May 2, 2015

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Genesis, God, Salvation

Why is Creation so Important?

Biblical creationism is important because of the effect a wrong understanding of Genesis has on the whole of Scripture. The devastation of misunderstanding Geneis is most catastrophic when it comes to Jesus and His death on the cross for salvation. When one treats the accounts of creation as spiritual, symbolic or allegorical he leaves no rational basis on which to conclude Jesus’ death and resurrection for salvation from sin is anything but spiritual, symbolic or allegorical. While many view Genesis as an allegory and Jesus’ death for sin as a historical reality, their affirming the truth about Jesus is not a result of the symbolic understanding of Genesis but contrary to it.

Why make such a strong statement? Multiple places in the New Testament draw a direct link between Jesus as the creator of Genesis and Jesus as the Savior of men. One of the reasons the Bible gives for Jesus’ ability and authority to redeem a people to Himself is that He is the creator of all. John 1 draws a clear line between the Creator and the Savior. The gospel of John intentionally copies the opening of Genesis, “In the beginning.” From the beginning of creation, John moves to discuss the one who is life, light and salvation. In the first chapter of his gospel, John introduces Jesus as the Creator who came into the world to give eternal life. In Colossians 1 Paul follows the same logical course John did. He introduces Jesus as the creator of all who took the sin of creation upon Himself on the cross. Hebrews 1 describes Jesus as God the creator who made all things and upholds all things. This same Jesus who is God the creator and God the sustainer cleansed men of sin by His death on the cross. These passages draw a significant theological and practical connection between Jesus as the Creator and Jesus as the Savior.

Some may object that these passages do not repeat the Genesis depiction of creation. One can affirm Jesus as creator through evolutionary means without undermining the truth of Jesus as Savior. This is simply not the case. In Colossians and Hebrews both passages refer to the historical events of creation, without describing the details, and to the historical events of redemption, also without describing the details. The authors clearly expected the readers to have a Biblical, historical understanding of the events to which they referred. The absence of specific details about the creation week does not mean they are up for debate, unless one is also willing to leave the details of Jesus death and resurrection open for debate. How hopeless it would be if man had nothing but a metaphorical Savior who erases metaphorical sins and promises a metaphorical heaven! If the Savior and His salvation are concrete realities, the creative work must be as well. To re-interpret those first passages which tell us of the creation and the God who created is to leave one open for reinterpretation the later work of the Creator God to redeem His creation.

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April 17, 2015

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Creation, Genesis, Salvation

Do you have to believe in Biblical creation to be saved?

Biblical creationism is a very important subject. A wrong understanding of the opening chapters of Genesis can have significant impact on how one understands the rest of the Bible. Often the impact of rejecting or reinterpreting the Bible’s creation account is far greater than one realizes. Creation is a foundational issue that influences many core Biblical teachings. As important as Biblical creation is, does one have to accept Genesis 1-3 as literal and historical truth to be be saved?

The Bible speaks in very clear terms about those things that are most important. When it comes to the matter of salvation, the Bible states exactly the principle truths that must be professed as part of the gospel. The Bible describes in no uncertain terms what must be confessed and believed to be saved.

1 Corinthians 15 defines the gospel, “Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures:” These things must be proclaimed when giving the gospel and must be believed to be saved. In Romans 10:9 Paul also describes the things which must be believed to be saved. “If thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.”

The things which must be believed for salvation are: Jesus is God. Jesus is God who died for our sins. Jesus’ death occurred just as the Old Testament said it would and the New Testament said it did. Jesus died, was buried and restored to life by God, just as the Bible says. To be saved one must admit his own guilt, acknowledge Jesus’ deity, accept Jesus death in place of the sinner and affirm Jesus is living now and forever.

Notice these verse do not mention anything about Jesus’ creation. Though creation is inextricably linked to the message of salvation and the work of Jesus, the Bible does not anywhere require that someone accept a literal reading of the creation account in order to be saved. This does not mean creation is a non-issue. One can be saved despite a wrong understanding of creation, but a wrong understanding of Genesis will be a serious detriment to faith, knowledge of the Bible and growth in Christ.

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January 16, 2015

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Salvation

Will homosexuals go to heaven?

An honest answer to this question is sure to anger someone, probably many someone’. Despite the animosity and contention over this issue, a sound Biblical answer is possible and necessary. One who loves the Word of God and loves others will want to know what the Bible says about homosexuality and the spiritual condition of homosexuals. Space requires some generalization in the answer. Sexual behavior has become a part of the identity of many individuals and transforming that behavior is no small task. Genuine change will take much time and will involve many failures and disappointments. While recognizing the difficulties in addressing such life-dominating behavior, the Bible still provides clear direction and understanding on this volatile topic.

For the sake of this article I am going to draw a distinction between those who struggle with romantic or sexual desires towards those of the same sex and those who are habitually engaging in homosexual activity. Whether they identify as transgender, bisexual, homosexual or pansexual, will those who regularly engage in homosexual behavior go to heaven?

The Bible teaches that one who genuinely turns to Jesus for salvation will begin to live differently. One who is genuinely saved will show that salvation in the way he lives. Transformation of life and being is the inevitable result of salvation. If a person is not changed there is cause to question the genuineness of his  salvation. Not only is transformation the inevitable result of salvation, but the Bible describes certain kinds of behavior that are incompatible with genuine salvation.

To put it succinctly, those who are really saved will not live in certain ways.  These ways are plainly listed in several passages: Galatians 5:19-21, 1 Corinthians 6:9-10 and Revelation 21:27. The following patterns of behavior are all contrary to Christ: theft, immorality, adultery, verbal abuse, armed robbery, lying, drunkenness, uncontrolled lust, homosexuality, pedophilia, idolatry, covetousness, sorcery, witchcraft, hatefulness, strife, jealousy, anger, self-promotion and murder. One who is the child of God, whose sins have been forgiven and is in fellowship with God will not live in these ways. One who lives in these sinful ways shows he is not truly saved.

A crucial distinction needs to be offered. The occasional failure in one of these matters will not negate a Christian’s salvation. A battle against a tendency to sin in one of these ways does not cancel out true salvation. A lie here and there does not undo salvation, but a perpetual liar shows that he is not genuinely saved. A homosexual act will not exceed God’s grace, but a life of homosexuality shows forgiveness has never been received. A professed Christian who lives a life of habitual sin shows an absence of genuine Christianity. Obedience is not necessary to become saved or to keep salvation. Obedience is the indispensable result of salvation. Obedience is the visible evidence of the internal reality. Obedience is the certain result of being born again by the power of God. Sexuality is one of the hardest areas of life to submit to the rule of God, but it, as all other areas, must bow before the command of God. Practicing homosexuals will not go to heaven. Homosexuality is not heinous beyond forgiveness, but a life of sin shows one to be without life in Christ.

God’s Word provides incredible comfort and assurance to any one who is trapped in a life of sin. After listing many deep and controlling sins, Paul tells the Corinthian church in 1 Corinthians 6:11, “And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.” The grace of God is greater than any sin. All those who will turn to Jesus for forgiveness will be saved and washed clean. The result of this cleansing will be radical change in every part of life. Sin will no longer rule, but God’s grace will transform the heart and the behavior. Those who are forgiven are set apart to Christ and will live in holiness to Him. Homosexuals are not beyond hope of forgiveness, but no one may stubbornly cling to his sin and cling to Christ for salvation.

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January 14, 2015

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Salvation

If you are saved, get Alsheimers and forget the Lord, are you still saved?

Alzheimers. Parkinson’s Disease. Dementia. The diagnosis of any brain disease that leads to dementia is tragic and usually offers a bleak prognosis. Patients who cannot remember the events of a day before, or even an hour before, who forget their kids and revert to a long forgotten childhood are a special kind of woe. The caregivers for these ones often suffer great personal grief as they recognize how much the patient has lost. In the course of ministering to those with failing minds the kind caregiver practices a generous ministry of which I stand in awe.

On top the loss of memory, patients with forms of dementia often show surprising behavioral changes. A once gracious and sweet grandmother suddenly becomes beligerent and foul mouthed. A once kind and gentle man responds with violence and abuse. The effects of the disease impact much more than the memories. The whole person is changed by the illness. With such radical changes of personality and such forgetfulness of so much that is important, what are the spiritual ramifications of their disease? If one who trusted Jesus for salvation forgets Him, is that person still saved?

Consider two spouses. One finds out his wife has Alzheimers and will soon forget all about him. He declares he will not stay with a woman that doesn’t remember him and hits the road for warmer weather and companions with their full mental faculties. Anyone recognizes that only a selfish lout would leave his wife because he could not put up with being forgotten. The other spouse finds out her husband has advanced dementia. He soon forgets her name and their many years of marriage. Each day he asks her who she is, wondering if she is a sister, an old friend or the nurse for that day. Each day he grumbles and complains that she is not doing for him what she should. She selflessly and kindly cares for him, despite his lack of memory and his hurtful words. Examples of the second, tender spouse are abundant. The compassion of a loving spouse in such difficult circumstances is an example of selfless love that stirs the heart with admiration. Will God be less faithful and less compassionate than sinful man?

God in His grace and compassion never turns away from those who have trusted Him for salvation. Though men are forgetful, failing and undeserving, God never falters on His promises. He never forgets His children. “The Lord knows them that are His.” (2 Timothy 2:19) The promise of God is to give eternal salvation to all who trust Jesus for forgiveness of sin. God will never go back on His Word, no matter what. God cannot and will not lie. (Titus 1:2)

Ultimately, salvation is not dependent on the memory or faithfulness of the Christian. Salvation always relies on the faithfulness and fullness of Christ. Jesus does all that needs to be done to save and to keep saved. One does not have to be able to remember his salvation experience to remain saved. All those who are saved are saved by Jesus not by their intellect, personality or memory. Nothing that happens in this life, the life to come, in heaven or on earth can separate he who is saved from the love of Jesus. “For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 8:38-39) Mercifully, if physical damage destroys the brain so that you no longer remember the Christ who saved you, He will in no way forget you or remove His saving presence from you.

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January 12, 2015

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Law, Salvation

Do I have to keep the Sabbath to be saved?

Before answering this question, a little explanation is in order. The Sabbath was a special day set aside as holy to God. Sabbath laws are spelled out in the Old Testament as part of the law God gave to the nation of Israel. On the Sabbaths, Jews were not allowed to do any work. The worship at the temple filled a big part of the day and the rest of the day was not free for the Jews to use however they wanted. The entire day was to be set apart to God. Sabbath days were of two kinds, the seven holy days set apart through the year- such as the Day of Atonement, Passover and Penecost- and the weekly Sabbath.

When someone talks about a responsibility to keep the Sabbath, usually he is referring to observing the weekly Sabbath. In the Bible the weekly Sabbath was always on Saturday, the seventh day of the week. This was in accord with God’s commands and reflected God’s cessation of labor after the six days of creation. In the church today many people view Sunday as a kind of Christian sabbath. Whatever the specific details of a person’s view of the proper sabbath day, the answer to the question “do I have to keep the Sabbath to be saved”, is still the same.

Sabbath keeping was not and is not necessary for salvation. The Sabbath has no relationship to salvation. This is because salvation is accomplished completely by Jesus and received by faith apart from any individual effort to secure salvation. The Bible is very clear on this point. Salvation is only by faith without any work or merit on the part of the person being save. If one believes he is saved because of faith and Jesus and personal obedience, that one is not saved. (Romans 3:28) God does not grant salvation to one who trusts Jesus and himself. God only saves those who turn away from all other means of salvation to trust only in Jesus. A person does not have to be baptized to be saved. A person does not have to take communion to be saved. A person does not have to accept the eucharist to be saved. A person does not have to attend church to be saved. A person does not have to attend mass to be saved. A person does not have to keep the Sabbath to be saved.

Some will respond that they are not teaching Sabbath keeping as necessary to get saved but keeping the Sabbath is necessary to remain saved or to show the genuineness of salvation. Again, this has no Biblical foundation. The Bible declares that salvation is accomplished and kept by Jesus. At least two entire books of the Bible, Galatians and Colossians, are written to correct the false teaching that something other than Jesus is needed to for salvation or to keep one saved. Believers are asked a piercing question in Galatians 3:3, “Having begun in the Spirit, are ye made perfect in the flesh?” Since salvation is a work of God, can a man bring God’s work to completion? Certainly not. Instead, the Christian and his salvation is complete in Jesus who is fully and perfectly God. (Colossians 2:9-10) Salvation is received by faith in Jesus. Salvation is the gift of God and is never granted for deeds done or service rendered. Either Jesus did and does everything necessary for salvation, or salvation is not of grace but of works.

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December 5, 2014

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Christian living, Salvation, The Bible

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What happens to a Christian who dies without having been baptized?

Imagine for a moment that someone is in the hospital, days from death when she turns to Jesus trusting Him to forgive her sin and give her peace with God. Her impending death makes baptism impossible, so what happens to her when she dies? What about in the case of a healthy young man who gets saved and refuses to be baptized. He goes his entire life showing all the signs of being a genuine Christian but is never baptized. What happens when he dies? In both cases the answer the same. They go to heaven. One of the key components of true, Biblical teaching is that salvation is in no way dependent on anything the person does. None are ever saved, or kept saved, by any ritual, good deed, regulation or lifelong habit. Salvation is fully given to one who trusts Jesus. No other things are necessary. In the book of Galatians Paul says that any attempt to add anything else as necessary to salvation is a denial of the gospel. One who is saved, is saved by Jesus regardless of whether or not the person has been baptized.

A portion of the account of Jesus’ death on the cross highlights this truth. When Jesus was crucified, two other men were executed alongside him. Luke 23 tells us about these men, and the response of one of them in particular. “ And he said unto Jesus, Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom. And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, To day shalt thou be with me in paradise.” The criminal beside Jesus was not going to come down from that cross alive. The Roman soldiers surrounding the crosses would have killed him themselves before letting him come down (in fact, the Bible tells us the soldiers broke the legs of the two criminals to speed up their death so they could be taken down that day). This man was never going to be baptized. However, what did Jesus promise him? Jesus assured the believing thief that he would enter into heaven with Jesus. The lack of baptism was not going to keep him from heaven, because baptism does not save. The thief was saved because he believed Jesus to be God and Savior.

Should a Christian be baptized? Absolutely. To refuse baptism is disobedience to the commands of the Bible. However, salvation is no more necessary to anyone’s salvation than attending Sunday School or giving in the offering. Salvation is completely accomplished by Jesus apart from any work an one does.