Thoughts for Life: Are You Afraid of Losing Your Salvation?

Michael Brooks asks us, "If
salvation did not come by faith we
would constantly run around --
working on this and that -- always
wondering and worried if what we
had done was enough to be saved.

What a horrible existence it would be.

Imagine Sunday mornings: Every request from the pulpit would result in hundreds coming forward so as to not place their salvation at risk.

There would be massive numbers of people re-baptized every week; the parking and children's ministries would be fully staffed with a long waiting list of others wanting to serve; and the tithing plates would be filled to overflowing.

Not such a bad image? I think there are some in church leadership who would have us believe we must do works in order to retain our salvation (maybe that's how they think ministry positions are filled).

James tells us in James 2:17: "Faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead."

Paul's theme has been the same -- just in reverse order: Works without faith is dead. The key is once we understand how much God has done for us the more we want to serve Him -- not out of obligation, but our loving response to His sacrifice.

In other words, works based in faith AND faith demonstrated in works -- both necessary and operating in concert.

When we understand salvation comes by the Father's grace and is based upon our faith -- not by what we do or don't do -- then salvation is not something we are afraid of losing -- we are thereby freed from the bondage of obligated service.

Questions to Ponder:

Psalm 115:1: "Not to us, O LORD, not to us but to your name be the glory, because of your love and faithfulness."

I think this verse is a pretty good test if the works you are doing are based upon obligation, pridefulness, or love."

Are your works for God's glory and in response to His grace, love and faithfulness or something else?" Michael Brooks of www.ptl.org (Pocket Testament League)

(Google images added)

Let’s pray:

Father, when we've repented of sins, and have asked Jesus into our hearts to be our Savior, may we then understand that the "work" of salvation by Jesus, has been accomplished!

Let me have peace in my walk with Christ, understanding that what I am to do now is to glorify Him, not worry about earning any "points" for my salvation.

May I rest in the knowledge of my salvation, that it is by Jesus, and only by Him.

My life's walk is to be in gratitude for what Christ's done for me. I'm now to show my faith in and through my godly living for Jesus.

I ask for Your help, Father, to be an example of Christ, Who is the perfect example of Who You are. Amen.

Today’s Bible verse: Romans 4:16a "Therefore, the promise comes by faith, so that it may be by grace..."

Today’s quote: Shelly Faust – “We surrender our lives first to Jesus as our personal Savior we have this supernatural power on the inside of us. God in us, the Holy Spirit, empowers us to push through the hard places.”

Some thoughts today: Say, "Okay, Father, what's going on? Listen. Do you know you have a mission? God has it all planned.

- There's always a process at work in our lives. It doesn't always make sense. Why not be all that God wants you to be?

Sunday’s post: When God is Silent Dr. Charles Stanley

Tuesday's post: #61 Personal Intercessors C. Peter Wagner

Thursday's post: #62 1-3 Intercessors C. Peter Wagner

Saturday's post: The Present/Listening Dogs Julie Ackerman Link

A popular post: Burning the Implements of Sin "What do you
do with the implements of sin in your life when you want to change?"