by Dr. Hank Lindstrom
Salvation
The sole condition for receiving eternal salvation from hell is faith (trust) in the Lord Jesus Christ, who died a substitutionary death on the cross for mans sin and rose from the dead. (John 3:16-28; John 6:47; Acts 16:31)
No act of obedience, preceding or following faith in the Lord Jesus Christ may be added to, or considered as a part of, faith as a condition for receiving eternal salvation. This includes commitment to obey, sorrow for sin, turning from ones sin, baptism, and submission to the Lordship of Christ (Romans 4:5; Galatians 2:16; Titus 3:5) This saving transition between God and the sinner is simply the giving and receiving of a free gift. (Ephesians 2:8, 9; John 4:10; Rev 22:17)
Assurance
The assurance of eternal salvation is based only on the promise God makes in His word that everyone who trusts in Jesus Christ alone possesses eternal life. (John 5:24; 1 John 5:9-13) Good works, which can and should follow regeneration, are not necessary to a firm assurance of eternal life even though they may have a secondary, confirmatory value. (Ephesians 2:10; Titus 3:8.)
The assurance of eternal salvation is based only on the promise God makes in His word that everyone who trusts in Jesus Christ alone possesses eternal life. (John 5:24; 1 John 5:9-13) Good works, which can and should follow regeneration, are not necessary to a firm assurance of eternal life even though they may have a secondary, confirmatory value. (Ephesians 2:10; Titus 3:8.)
Discipleship (Growing in Christ)The ultimate goal of the Holy Spirits work in the believers life is to produce spiritual maturity reflected in consistent Christ like behavior and attitudes. (Galatians 5:22-25; Luke 14:25-33, Colossians 1:23-29) Therefore, obedience to the Word of God, while not necessary for obtaining eternal salvation from hell, is the essential responsibility of each Christian. (Romans 6:12-23; Hebrews 5:13, 14; 1 Corinthians 2:14-3:4) However, the Bible does not teach that this obedience will be manifested in all believers. If a believer does not yield to the ministry of the Holy Spirit in his experience, failure will result, evidenced by sinful acts or even prolonged disobedience. (1 Corinthians 10:1-13; Galatians 5:16-21)
Motivation
The believer is assured of salvation from hell and is eternally secure, since that salvation is based solely upon the finished work of Jesus Christ. (John 10:28, 29; Romans 8:38, 39) Therefore, the receiving or keeping of that salvation cannot be an impetus for godly living. The Scripture, however, does present several motivations for obedience in the Christian life.
1. A powerful motivation for living the Christian life is gratitude to God for saving us by His grace. (Romans 12:1, 2; 2 Corinthians 5:14, 15; Galatians 2:20)
The believer is assured of salvation from hell and is eternally secure, since that salvation is based solely upon the finished work of Jesus Christ. (John 10:28, 29; Romans 8:38, 39) Therefore, the receiving or keeping of that salvation cannot be an impetus for godly living. The Scripture, however, does present several motivations for obedience in the Christian life.
1. A powerful motivation for living the Christian life is gratitude to God for saving us by His grace. (Romans 12:1, 2; 2 Corinthians 5:14, 15; Galatians 2:20)
2. Believers should also be motivated by the knowledge that their heavenly Father both blesses obedience and disciplines disobedience in His children. (Hebrews 12:3-11; Leviticus 26:1-45)
3. Finally, every Christian must stand before the Judgment Seat of Christ, not to determine his destiny in heaven or hell, but to assess the quality of his Christian life on earth. (2 Corinthians 5:10; Revelation 22:12) Anticipating either reward or loss of reward at the Judgment Seat should also motivate believers to perseverance and to faithfulness to Gods revealed will. (1 Corinthians 3:10-17; 9:24-27; James 5:8, 9; 1 John 2:28)
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