how to REALLY be saved: a biblical perspective

[cromagnon]

---

hatag ug daghan money sa simbahan . man simba perme.

[Existanz]

I am aware that there are many other threads trying to tackle the question of how to be saved. I acknowledge that this is a very important question, in fact in my opinion it may be the single most important question that man can ever ask. Before i go on any further i would like to say firsthand that my answer to this important question will be entirely biblically based. I expect that many people, especially those who do not believe the bible, those who do not believe in the christian god, and those who subscribe to a different religion/viewpoint will reject the information that i offer in this post. If you are among those i mentioned i humbly and sincerely request that you respect my post. I am not requiring or imposing that you agree with me. For those who do believe in the christian god and who sincerely desire to be saved, this post is for you and I hope that this will clarify and enlighten any confusion you may have.

A key point to consider is this: All men are sinners and the wages of sin is death (romans 6:23)

The bible basically tell us that there are two ways to attain salvation.

The first is thru the law (a works-based system) which can basically be summarised as:
Love the Lord your God with ALL your heart, ALL your soul and ALL your strength and love your neighbour as you love yourself. (notice the word ALL, not part, not some but ALL)
(mark 12:28-34)

Now since man is inherently and hopelessly sinful, he can never really fully follow the law. He is bound to break it and sin. Thus man can never be saved by the law for all men fall short of the law. This is not say that the law is useless, it was given as a guide for our behavior and as a standard for us to strive for.

It also follows that man can never be saved thru his good works because even when he is doing "good" he is not doing it all the time, he is doing it for wrong or misplaced motives, and he still continues to sin.
Also, in the bible it says that man's righteousness is but filthy rags to God (isaiah 64:6). No matter we do, no matter how good we think we are, it is never enough. We will always fall short of God who is perfect.

The second and really the ONLY way that man can attain salvation is by grace thru faith. All men are sinners and the wages of sin is death. All mankind therefore is bound to go to hell. But since God so loved the world, he gave his son as a perfect atoning sacrifice for all of man's sins (john 3:16). Thru God's sacrifice of his son (his grace) our sin though bright as scarlet is washed white as snow. When a person hears and believes the gospel (faith) he or she partakes of God's grace. That person begins to see himself for what he trully is, a wretched and unworthy sinner. He then realises just how lucky he is because despite his condition of unworthiness God has chosen to give him the gift of salvation. This causes him to love God, to desire him and follow him and to repent of his sins and turn from his wicked ways. Note that he does good works not so that he may be saved but AS a RESULT of having been saved, and he does these works because he loves God and desires to follow him.

Again to summarise salvation can only happen by grace thru faith, not by works, not by the law. Faith in what? Faith in jesus christ and the gospel (...whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life).

If I may ask, what does Faith means to you?

[Pein]

By faith alone....

Work is the fruit of your faith.

hmmmm...sounds like a Born Again or Baptist ba kaha...gikan pud raba ko sa Baptist...

faith ALONE? kontra lagi na sa bible bro...

Jas 2:24 Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only.

ang gigamit sa Greek nga word aning "only" is:

μόνον
monon
mon'-on
Neuter of G3441 as adverb; merely: - alone, but, only.

[juan_carlos]

When i made this post i obviously was not as informed as i am now. After seeing this verse and studying it, things are clearer.

Luke 10:21 "I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children. Yes, Father, for this was your good pleasure.

Again i know this will offend a lot of people but there is nothing that can be done, it is what is written.

People no matter what kind of argument or evidence you present to them regarding the authenticity of the bible and its truth will never be convinced. Man even at his smartest can never use his intellect to come to a knowledge of God. I see so much arguing and discussion here from those that try to defend the bible and convince people, but much of that is pointless. Those who do not believe are that way because they refuse to believe. They refuse the light because they love darkness (man's fallen condition). In addition to that satan who is the father of lies has so much influence in this world system and has convinced people that they can do things their way. and lastly God himself has hidden these things from the wise and the learned. Why? because it is pleasing to him. that is the only reason given.

Now I am not a stupid person and i used to pride myself in my intellect. From a logical perspective this reason does not make sense to me at all. But he has blessed me with the gift of saving faith and has shown himself to me in ways that cannot be denied. If that is what he says i put my puny and worthless intellect aside and take his word for it. For where was I when he laid down the foundations of the earth? Where was i when he hung the world on nothing? Science and man's intellect can only come so far. It prides itself with having the answers to everything and being able to explain the natural world. But the best of its explanations and theories take even more faith to believe in than in believing my God. My God has put this limit on man so that he may be humbled and worship with wonder and reverence the creator of this universe. Only he alone has the power and authority to grant people this saving faith according to his own reasons. If you hear the gospel and it does nothing for you, then i am truly sad to say that you are not part of the elect. If the holy spirit starts to convict you and you see a reaction coming forth, then rejoice for you are among the blessed. Many are called but few are chosen.

[anaksatawo]

How did you know?
its only inaccurate to people like you who interpret the bible and want the bible to fit to their understanding, not the other way around.

let's rephrase it shall we: "its only ACCURATE to people like you who interpret the bible and want the bible to fit to their understanding, not the other way around.".

on topic:
but do we really need salvation? isn't it just a selfish attempt at wanting to have more? to want to live in a non-physical way, FOREVER? From dust to dust, anyone?

if you want to live FOREVER, leave a legacy (a good one preferrably). 80:20 Pareto Rule.

Remember
I will still be here
As long as you hold me
In your memory

...I'm with you whenever
You tell my story
For I am all I've done

YouTube - REMEMBER ME with subtitles - Josh Gorban

[vahnhelsing]

bilib sad ko sa nipost dah...galing sarcastic lang ang uban dri modalag tira...

as for me by faith and deeds through Christ one will be saved...

[Tirong-say]

One cannot be saved by faith alone, but bring it in practicality as well, what good the mind conceives should come out from the mouth and should also be demonstrated in deeds....I think this is the right way to follow the Good teachings in the bible....

[amingb]

hmmmm...sounds like a Born Again or Baptist ba kaha...gikan pud raba ko sa Baptist...

faith ALONE? kontra lagi na sa bible bro...

Jas 2:24 Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only.

ang gigamit sa Greek nga word aning "only" is:

μόνον
monon
mon'-on
Neuter of G3441 as adverb; merely: - alone, but, only.

Is Justification by Faith a wrong message ? Naa lang siguro mis-interpretation because Paul and James will be contradictory if both verses will be applied literally ....

Romans 3:28—"Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law."

Titus 3:5—"He saved us, not on the basis of deeds which we have done in righteousness, but according to His mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit."

To reconcile ...

Paul is speaking about justification before God, while James is talking about justification before humans.

So therefore Salvation is by Faith alone ...

Basaha lang James whole chapter 2 ... it clearly stated that James only wants to show that works is just the fruit of faith.

[Pein]

Is Justification by Faith a wrong message ? Naa lang siguro mis-interpretation because Paul and James will be contradictory if both verses will be applied literally ....

Romans 3:28—"Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law."

sakto ka bro ma justified ang tawo sa iyang faith. pero dili FAITH ALONE kay daghan pa kaayo kag ipuno sa imong faith.

2Pe 1:5 And beside this, giving all diligence, add to your faith virtue; and to virtue knowledge;

2Pe 1:6 And to knowledge temperance; and to temperance patience; and to patience godliness;

2Pe 1:7 And to godliness brotherly kindness; and to brotherly kindness charity.

kadaghan ana oh nga ipuno nimo sa faith. so dili lagi faith ALONE. faith is just a first step. kumbaga, grade 1 ranang faith kinahanglan pud kang mu grade 2.

kung imong sabton nang Romans chapter 3, he is talking to Jews kay nanghambog man gud ning mga Jews nga sila ra ang maluwas pinaagi sa ilang works. nanghambog ang mga Jews kay sila daw mga tuli unya ang mga Gentiles mga pisot...

Rom 3:1 What advantage then hath the Jew? or what profit is there of circumcision?

Titus 3:5—"He saved us, not on the basis of deeds which we have done in righteousness, but according to His mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit."

faith lagi...pero after you have the faith, dili nalang ta mubuhat?

Eph 2:8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:

Eph 2:9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.

kani nga verses mao man jud ni ang basis ninyo. ang nakaapan lang nakalimot mo sa verse 10

Eph 2:10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.

see? faith is just a first step. kung naa na gani kay faith, mubuhat naka because your works will prove your faith.

Jas 2:22 Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect?

magkuyog jud nang Faith and Works. dili pwede nang faith ALONE without works. dili pud pwede nga works ALONE without faith.

wala man mag contradict si St. James ug si St. Paul.

To reconcile ...

Paul is speaking about justification before God, while James is talking about justification before humans.

sayop ka bro. St. James is also talking about justification before God.

Jas 2:21 Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar?

asa man na justify si Abraham? sa mga tawo? natural sa Ginoo pinaagi sa iyang buhat.

So therefore Salvation is by Faith alone ...

Basaha lang James whole chapter 2 ... it clearly stated that James only wants to show that works is just the fruit of faith.

cge bro para magkasinabot jud ta, tagai kog verse sa Bible "faith ALONE saves"...as in ALONE ra jud...kay kung faith ALONE maluwas nata, nganong baga man kaayo ang bible? kabaga sa bible ah! ako pa nimo ang imong buhaton guntinga ra nang Romans 3:28 unya ilabay ang Bible kay faith alone raman kaha...

[regnauld]

The real context of salvation is not found in the bible alone but it is actually a gradual process of AWAKENING to one's SELF to ACTUALIZE his or her POTENTIALS as a child of the universe created in the image and likeness of GOD!