Salvation

A man dies and goes to heaven. Of course, St. Peter meets him at the pearly gates. St. Peter says, "Here's how it works. You need 100 points to make it into heaven. You tell me all the good things you've done, and I give you a certain number of points for each item, depending on how good it was. When you reach 100 points, you get in."

"Okay," the man says, "I was married to the same woman for 50 years and never cheated on her, even in my heart."

"That's wonderful," says St. Peter, "that's worth three points!" "Three points?" he says. "Well, I attended church all my life and supported its

ministry with my tithe and service." "Terrific!" says St. Peter, "that's certainly worth a point." "One point? Golly. How about this: I started a soup kitchen in my city and worked in a shelter for homeless veterans."

"Fantastic, that's good for two more points," he says. "TWO POINTS!" the man cries, "At this rate, the only way I get into heaven is by the grace of God!" "That's right! Now you've got it!" said St. Peter.

For it is by Grace you have been saved, through Faith -- and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God -- not by works, so that no one can boast. (Ephesians 2:8-9) HIS Grace!

The above story is theologically "a disaster" but it does drive home the point - IT IS IMPOSSIBLE FOR US TO DO ANYTHING TO "HELP" SAVE OURSELVES!

Imagine standing on the roof a ten-story building. A parade is going to start in the street below. It forms, it begins, and it travels the parade rout length and then disperses. All this happened in your view.

This is the way OUR GOD sees us! Before our birth HE knows the complete and whole story! But HE also orchestrated our "parade rout" before we were even born. That is called PREDESTINATION. Before we were even born HE knew everything.

If at some time in a persons life they accept Jesus the Christ (Saviour) as their own personal Saviour.

Realize that HE, Jesus, died for his or her own personal and individual sins.

Is truly sorry (repents) for all the sins he or she has committed and for the evil thoughts and deeds done.

Asks Jesus to "come in to his or her heart" and "wash it clean" of sins.

Accepts Jesus as THE ONLY SAVIOUR and accepts that Jesus is TRULY GOD.

That person is SAVED from Hellfire FOR EVER! This person is now "converted".

The penalty for sins committed are removed. Romans 4: 7f. 2Corinthians 5:19.

One is restored to GODS favour. Romans 4: 6 1Corinthians 1: 30. 2Corinthians 5: 21.

The believer is now clothed in a righteousness not his own, provided by Jesus, and is therefore acceptable to fellowship with GOD.

Righteous living becomes possible. Philippians 1: 11. 1John 3: 7.

The JUISTIFIED person is assured that he or she will be SAVED from the coming wrath of GOD. Romans 5: 9. 1Thesalonians 1: 10.

The person is assured of GLORIFICATION (Going to Heaven). Matthew 13: 43. Romans 8: 30.

The moment a person believes in Jesus The Christ that person is SANCTIFIED.

Notice in The Bible that the believers are called SAINTS? ALL believers are saints. That is because they have been sanctified. It does NOT mean perfect! 1 Corinthians 1: 2. Ephesians 1: 1. Colossians 1: 2. Hebrews 10: 10. Jude 3.

In 1Corinthians we have proof that one can still be "fleshy" and be SAVED or Sanctified.

Christ Sanctified the SAVED by the shedding of HIS own blood. Hebrews 13: 12.

Romans 8: 38 and 39 now tells us IT IS FOR EVER! Salvation can not be lost, stolen, or taken away by anything or anybody! IT IS FOREVER!

When we are SAVED we have assurance that we have an ADVOCATE, Jesus Christ who will intercede for us when we sin. It is certain that we will sin because we are not yet perfect.

"My little children, I am writing these things to you that you may not sin. And if someone sins, we have an Advocate with the father, Jesus Christ the righteous; and he himself is the propitiation for our sins" 1John 2:1f.

"The blood of Jesus, His Son cleanses us from all sin" 1John 1: 7.

"If we say we have no sin, we are deceiving ourselves, and the truth is not in us" 1John 1:8.

"And by him all that believe are justified from all things, from which ye could not be justified by the laws of Moses" Acts 13: 39