Can pagans be saved through their good works or do they need faith in Jesus Christ to be saved? What would the point be in Jesus dying on the Cross for us, if people could be saved without accepting Jesus Christ as their Lord and Saviour? Doesn’t it mean that God saved us through Jesus Christ’s sacrifice on the Cross, and because of our faith in him? Cornelius’s good works didn’t save him, but his actions pleased God so the Lord sent Peter so that Cornelius was converted as seen in Acts 10:1-4.
Do I merit Heaven or is it a free gift from God See Acts 15: 11. 11 On the contrary, we believe that we will be saved through the grace of the Lord Jesus, just as they will.” See how Jesus made full atonement for our sins, once we have repented of our sins See 1 John 1:9 If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. See Acts 10:43 (KJV) To him give all the prophets witness, that through his name whosoever believeth in him shall receive remission of sins.
How can we be certain that Jesus will draw all men, women and children to himself? See John 12:32King James Version (KJV) And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me and, Luke 15:4 King James Version (KJV) 4 What man of you, having an hundred sheep, if he lose one of them, doth not leave the ninety and nine in the wilderness, and go after that which is lost, until he find it? Isn’t someone made righteous when he repents, is born again and receives Jesus Christ as His Savior? See John 3:3(KJV) Jesus answered and said unto him, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.
How can we be certain that we are saved? If you have a perpetual doubt that you are saved through Jesus Christ, are you truly a Christian, and aren’t you offending God? Therefore if you doubt that you will be saved what should you do? If Jesus Christ has set us free doesn’t that mean that we have an assurance of salvation? See John 8:36 (KJV) If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed, and Luke 23:39-43. Before we were Christians, we were dead to Christ, but once we have accepted Christ and believe in Him we have become alive in Christ, and are not condemned, but have everlasting life as seen in John 5:24 (KJV)Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life.
What do you tell people if they say that if you are saved, you are being presumptuous? If you think that someone is being presumptuous because they say they are going to be saved by Jesus Christ, then you don’t truly believe that Jesus Christ is your Messiah, and it isn’t by your actions that you are saved, but simply by belonging to Jesus Christ and faith which leads to good fruit and an assured place in paradise. Conversion needs to come first, and then the actions will follow. See John 15: 1-5
Don’t you believe that total conversion leading to God and seeking to do his will is needed, rather than just saying a 5 minute prayer and believing that is all you need to do to get Eternal Life? You need to show love to your neighbour as seen in James 2:14-26.
It is very important to understand that you only have Eternal life if you have accepted Jesus Christ as your Lord and Saviour and that good deeds alone don’t save you but they are worthless without Jesus Christ. See John 3:36 (KJV) 36 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.
Some people say that religion is a personal thing, but when you do that, doesn’t your faith become dead, but if you evangelize by telling people about Jesus, won’t your faith increase? If you truly confess that the Lord Jesus is your Master and Saviour, and believe deep within your heart that God raised him from the dead on the third day, won’t you be saved and so have eternal life? See Matthew 10:32-33 King James Version (KJV) 32 Whosoever therefore shall confess me before men, him will I confess also before my Father which is in heaven. 33 But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father which is in heaven.
Written by Dominic and Marie-Helene Bradshaw
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