Bible Studies
The unadulterated Gospel Message is a two-sided coin.
The “up” side to the unadulterated Gospel Message is encapsulated in John 3: 16, whereas the “down” side” is encapsulated in John 3: 18.
“For (because) God so loved the world (Fallen Man), that He gave (sacrificed) His only Son (to save them), so that everyone who BELIEVES in Him will not perish (spiritually), but have eternal life (John 3: 16 NASB2020 parentheses mine).”
“The one who BELIEVES in Him is NOT judged (eternally condemned); the one who does not BELIEVE has been judged (eternally condemned) already (before arriving in the Court of Heaven), BECAUSE he has not BELIEVED in the NAME of the only Son of God (during his or her time on Earth).” - John 3: 18 NASB2020 parentheses mine).”
However, one’s spiritual standing and destiny are not the result of a random coin toss, but a direct result of a conscious choice that each individual makes when presented with the unadulterated Gospel Message.
“Believing in His name” means to acknowledge who He was/is (God the Son); what He accomplished (atonement for sin) (2) while on the cross; and how it applies to you, as an individual.
“… for unless you BELIEVE that I am (Who and what I am), you will die in your sins (John 8: 24 NASB2020 parenthesis mine).” No one can make this choice for you.
Salvation has got nothing to do with being Eastern Orthodox, Roman Catholic, Protestant, Non-denominational, or ANY other label that Man has come up with over the course of the Church Age.
One can be a documented member of any one of these religious organizations and still be spiritually dead. One can be spiritually regenerated (3) and never become a “member” of any one of these organizations.
Attending or otherwise connecting with a local assembly is a post (after) salvation activity. It is for the purpose of worship and edification in order to execute the post (after) salvation spiritual life.
Which local assembly or ministry that a born again believer attends (or connects with) has nothing to do with remaining saved, but will have much to do with the quality and productivity of one’s post salvation spiritual life.
One cannot apply what he or she does not learn. Just as a physically dead man can do nothing in the natural realm, a spiritually dead man can do nothing in the spiritual realm. Until one is born again, all of one’s “religious” activity that one participates in (or is put through) is meaningless.
Such activity can even be the cause of leading the deceived to feel that all is well, when in truth, they are in line to hear the words, “… I never knew you (Matt. 7: 23 NASB2020)”.
These words will come from the same Person who said you MUST be born again (4). If the Rapture were to take place in the middle of a worship service, anyone in attendance that was not born again would be left behind.
All born-again believers are sealed (5) as a child of God and a member of the intangible Church that God designed.
Salvation (eternal life) is a gift from God that He gives to everyone and anyone who are born again. It can not be earned, deserved, or lost.
This gift can only be received by choosing to believe in the divine Person and the atoning Work of the Lord Jesus Christ.
Many groups will concur that a 1st Century “man” named Jesus was born, lived among us, and claimed to speak for God, but fall short of believing He was and is God the Son, a member of the Triune Godhead (Trinity), in the flesh (6).
Some will concur that there was miraculous activity associated with the three-year ministry of Jesus, whereas others attributed it to the deceptive work of Beelzebul (7), a high ranking being among the Eph. 6:12 forces of evil.
By rejecting WHO He claimed to be, it follows that unbelievers will reject WHAT (8) He claimed to be and do, as well.
Religious leadership WITHIN the Christian Community, have promoted the false idea that there is a need for further requirements to be added to having faith in the Work that Jesus finished (9) on the cross (as if it were not enough), in order to obtain, retain, and regain salvation that can not be lost (10).
This is the result of drifting away from the foundational (11) premise of John 3: 16, and failing to distinguish the difference between the ONE requirement to be saved, and the many requirements to successfully execute the post salvation spiritual life of discipleship.
Here in the Church Age, God sees each and every soul that He creates as either one that has been born-again or has not.
Either you have been sealed (12) or you have not. Either you have been spiritually regenerated (13), or you have not and remain spiritually dead.
The sealing of your soul and the regenerating of your spirit is the automatic Work of God the Holy Spirit that immediately takes place the moment you are born again.
At the present time, either you are Heaven-bound or you are not.
End of Part 3
-------
(1) John 1: 1 (2) 1John 2: 2 (3) Titus 3: 5 (4) John 3: 7 (5) Eph. 4: 30 (6) John 1: 1 (7) Matt. 12: 24 (8) 1John 2: 2 (9) John 19: 30 (10) Romans 8: 1 (11) 1Cor. 3: 10,11 (12) Eph. 4: 30 (13) Titus 3: 5
PLEASE ENCOURAGE AUTHOR BELOW LEAVE COMMENT ON ARTICLE
Reader Count & Comments
Date
The opinions expressed by authors do not necessarily reflect the opinion of FaithWriters.com. This is especially true with articles that
deal with personal healthcare and prophecy. We encourage the reader to make their own decision in consultation with God, His Word, and others as needed.
This article has been read 136 times < Previous | Next >
Read more articles by Doug Laird This article has been read 136 times < Previous | Next >
![](images2/fw500_icon.gif)
Search for articles on: (e.g. creation; holiness etc.)
Read more by clicking on a link:Free Reprints
Main Site Articles
Most Read Articles
Highly Acclaimed Challenge Articles.
New Release Christian Books for Free for a Simple Review.
NEW - Surprise Me With an Article - Click here for a random URL
God is Not Against You - He Came on an All Out Rescue Mission to Save You
...in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them... 2 Cor 5:19
Therefore, my friends, I want you to know that through Jesus the forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you. Acts 13:38
LEARN & TRUST JESUS HERE
FaithWriters offers Christian reading material for Christian readers. We offer Christian articles, Christian fiction, Christian non-fiction, Christian Bible studies, Christian poems, Christian articles for sale, free use Christian articles, Christian living articles, New Covenant Christian Bible Studies, Christian magazine articles and new Christian articles. We write for Jesus about God, the Bible, salvation, prayer and the word of God.