Work It Out!

Salvation is a free gift received through faith in Christ alone.

That 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.

Romans 10:9 (KJV)

And as soon an individual acknowledges his or her sinful state and believes that he or she is a heir of God’s kingdom, seated with Christ Jesus in heavenly places, far above principalities and powers, nothing can take one by any means more out of the salvation.

Many profess Christianity by their general knowledge about God, or their morality, or by their involvement in various ministries within their church(es). They may base is it on a prayer they once said, or look to things like their [water] baptism as a basis for salvation.

However, the Bible tells us that it is by grace alone we are saved through faith in Jesus Christ.

[8] For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith, and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God

[9] Not by works, so that no one can boast.

Ephesians 2:8-9 (KJV)

It is possible to profess faith in Christ and yet still be unsaved, this is the reason why apostle Paul admonishes us in the bible verse above of 2 Corinthians 13:5 to examine ourselves because the outcome of real faith within us is proof show that Christ is indwelling in us by the Holy Spirit.

You do not work to receive your salvation, but you work out your salvation.

Examine yourselves to see whether you are in the faith; test yourselves. Do you not realize that Christ Jesus is in you, unless, of course, you fail the test?

2 Corinthians 13:5 (KJV)

While working out our salvation, we should examine ourselves with regards to the impact of the gospel on our characters, attitude towards prayer, bible study, consistent devotion and in our gathering with the brethren.

We should also be concerned for our unbelieving friends and relatives, or those who consider themselves to be Christians but show little or no evidence of being new creations in Jesus Christ and endeavour to pray that God will lead them to a genuine saving knowledge of and relationship with Christ.

Selah!