By Stewart Topping
Today there so many different misunderstood concepts about salvation that it’s a wonder that anybody can actually get saved. People add things to very simple instructions the Apostle Paul gave us on what is required for salvation. Paul was writing letters to Christian to help them understand what Jesus had told him about the mystery of grace, not writing about some theological discussion.
We need to understand what is required to be saved. Saved from what might be a good question?
- Bondage to sin caused by Adam in the garden.
- The curse of the Law.
- The problem with our flesh
We need to receive God’s free gift of grace because that what God said plus nothing.
8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it isthe gift of God: 9 Not of works, lest any man should boast. 10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them Eph 2:8-10 (KJV)
It’s a free gift; there is nothing you can do by your flesh to help yourself. You must believe what God has said and receive your salvation by faith in God’s word.
These are very simple instructions on receiving salvation …
1 Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; 2 by which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain. 3 For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures;4 And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures: 1 Cor 15:1-4 (KJV)
Paul said: He is declaring the real Gospel, the good news. By which you might be saved. It is important to know what God has said and what He has done.
What did Paul say in 1 Cor 15:1-4: This is the Gospel by which you are saved? Paul is telling us what he has done and giving us instruction what to do, just believe what God has said and done.
Christ died for us, was buried and rose again. God said he would raise Jesus up in Victory.
Jesus defeated Satan, became the acceptable sacrifice required by the law, overcame death and paid the price for our freedom from bondage. With the Holy Spirit we can overcome our flesh.
PLUS NOTHING….
Be careful not to add to the gospel something that God didn’t require.