I have heard from various pulpits and Bible teachers that what we do after Salvation is important to keep our Salvation and not lose it. They seem to think that after we believe on Christ, that is not enough. We also must work to help the Holy Spirit sanctify us as if we are all to climb a scale of righteousness and reach higher and higher levels. What a small view of the grace of God!
As believers we do not have an certain amount of righteousness. We do not have a scale of righteousness that relies on how we live and what we do or do not do. From the very moment of our belief on Christ to save us through His redemptive work on the cross we have 100% righteousness according to the Bible. IN fact, God MADE US through imputation of God, the VERY RIGHTEOUSNESS OF GOD, IN CHRIST (2 Corinthians 5:17-21). Our feelings about this fact are irrelevant.
The devil wants us to live on a scale with levels of righteousness. He is okay with you thinking your righteousness depends on how Holy you LIVE with your behavior. Are you constantly thinking, “I have to reach that higher level on the scale of being righteousness.” or “If I strive more I will eventually reach the level of Holiness God wants me to be at.” If so, you are making the grace of God to be very very tint when the truth is is is super abounding enormous!
“Moreover the law entered, that the offence might abound. But where sin abounded, grace did MUCH MORE abound:” (Romans 5:20 KJV)
DO This. DON’T DO That. All To Keep & Raise Our Level Of Righteousness With God?
HOGWASH! Friends, that is all a bunch of ‘DOO DOO’ the devil is giving you! Paul even states it exactly that way,
“Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them –BUT DUNG-, that I may win Christ,“
(Philippians 3:8 KJV)
Jesus Christ our Lord said Himself,
“All things are delivered unto me of my Father: and no man knoweth the Son, but the Father; neither knoweth any man the Father, save the Son, and he to whomsoever the Son will reveal him. Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you REST. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find REST unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.” (Matthew 11:27-30 KJV)
As a believer on Christ alone for our Salvation, the truth is God MADE US the very RIGHTEOUSNESS OF GOD, IN CHRIST. We did make ourselves righteous nor do we keep ourselves righteous. God declares us righteous through our belief on Christ’s atonement for us!
“For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might BE MADE the righteousness of God in him.” (2 Corinthians 5:21 KJV)
We do not make ourselves more Holy and righteous by how we live. No, GOD MADE us the righteousness of God, in Christ. If you received Christ’s gift of Salvation apart from works (Ephesians 2:8-9) then you are saved ETERNALLY. It does not rely on you!
“For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God……. He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.” (John 3:17-18, 36 KJV)
If you believe that Christ is God in the flesh, died on the cross and paid for all sins of the whole world (1 John 2:2), you have been saved and have eternal life.
Grab a hold of this truth!!!! The devil hates it.
Too many pulpits are teaching condemnation to believers.
Yes, teach unbelievers that they are condemned already and they need a savior. Yet, teaching to BELIEVERS condemnation due to their sin is so very very wrong. That somehow because of their sins they can lose there Salvation and be condemned to hell. What a tiny pathetic view of God’s grace that is when Jesus paid in His own blood to save us! Oh my, Jesus paid it all brothers and sisters. PAID IT ALL. IN FULL!!! Jesus did not make a partial payment for our sins.
“And you, being dead in your sins and the uncircumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you ALL trespasses; Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross; And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it.” (2 Colossians 13-14 KJV)
IT IS FINISHED.
CHRIST’S SACRIFICE WAS A FULL PAYMENT FOR ALL SINS.
GOD’S GRACE IS SUFFICIENT AND ABOUND MUCH MORE.
REST IN CHRIST.
