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Gods word says all we have to do to be saved is to declare with our mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in our heart that God raised Him from the dead. The Bible also say, it is with our heart that we believe and are justified, and it is with our mouth that we profess our faith and are saved (Romans 10:9-10). So how do we get to the point of believing that Jesus is the son of God, is Lord, and was raised from the dead? Is this even in our own ability? Can we take credit for it? Not according to Jesus, Jesus said in Matthew 16:15-17 that even our ability to believe Him is from God.
If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved (Romans 10:9-10 NIV).
But what about you?” he asked. “Who do you say I am?” Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.” Jesus replied, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by flesh and blood, but by my Father in heaven (Matthew 16:15-17 NIV).
Think about it. We believe that a virgin gave birth to a son, the son of God, the creator of heaven and earth. We believe that same son died defeating the works of sin, death, & the grave. We also believe after He died He was raised to life after 3 days and ascended into heaven and sits at the right hand of the Father. Who could believe that in their own ability? That’s crazy talk if God has not made this known to them.
What other stipulation require us to be saved? Absolutely none. Suggesting that we have to repent to be saved, contradict scripture, because it suggests that we have to do something in order to obtain our salvation. When that is not the case. The Bible says in Ephesians 2:8-9, it is by grace we have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast. Faith in Jesus, was given to us by God. Obedience takes work, it is not easy to change who we are and what we have become. Obedience takes an effort from us, one we could boast in and many do because they were sold a lie of religion about how to be saved.
Now I am not speaking against repentance, nor am I suggesting it’s not important. It’s just not a part of being saved and to suggest it is, adds to scripture and leaves people feeling condemned & hopeless when nothing in their life has yet changed. It leaves them with the weight of their sin and the responsibility to try and deal with it in their own might and power. When Jesus said that was His place. Repentance is a part of the sanctification process & that process is predestined in each believers life and cannot be determined by them or anyone else.
being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus Philippians 1:6 NIV).
For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters (Romans 8:29 NIV).
We look at the sin in someone’s life making that a determining factor as to whether or not they are saved, when that was never a stipulation for it. It only lets us know where they are in the process and how to pray for them. Jesus already paid the price for our sin, we don’t have to do anything other than believe and confess what He did to receive it. We can go out and murder someone and as bad and wrong as that is, if we have been saved we will go to heaven. Period. I know that is hard for some of us to wrap our head around, but it’s the truth. Sin in our life or lack there of, is not a determining factor for our salvation, that is works. Sin in our life or lack there of will only determine the course of our life on earth. Remaining in our sin will make this life hell and prevent us from walking in Gods will and plan for our life, but it will not take away the debt Jesus paid for our sin or take away the saving knowledge we have in Him.
All things are lawful for me, but not all things are helpful; all things are lawful for me, but not all things edify (1 Corinthians 10:24 NIV).
Or do you not know that wrongdoers will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: Neither the sexually immoral nor idolaters nor adulterers nor men who have sex with men nor thieves nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers will inherit the kingdom of God. And that is what some of you were. But you were washed, you were sanctified, you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ and by the Spirit of our God (1 Corinthians 6:9-11 NIV).
I have seen many people tie repentance to others being saved and when their life didn't change they questioned it because others questioned it, leaving them feeling helpless and hopeless as if it was on them. When it was not. He lived a life we could not live and paid a debt we could not pay and there is nothing else we need to add to what He has done. He finished it, all we need to do is receive it by welcoming it and confessing it with our mouth.
Having canceled the charge of our legal indebtedness, which stood against us and condemned us; he has taken it away, nailing it to the cross (Colossians 2:14).
Prayer
Father, forgive us for adding stipulations to people's being saved. Thank you for sending your son to pay a debt we could not pay because He lived a life we could not live. Forgive us for thinking we could have any part in it, as if you needed our help. Thank you that repentance is a process of a work that your son does in our lives so that it will be complete and not flawed by our own efforts and ability. I pray for all those right now that have believed a lie that you saving them was based upon their own ability to repent of sin or an emotion of just really being sorry for things they have done. Help them to recognize that repentance is a process that you have given your son the responsibility for. Help them to walk free from the traps and snares of the enemy that would try to keep them tripped up in their race, so they stay defeated and ineffective for your kingdom. Make known to them the richness of your love and enable them to be transformed by the renewing of your word so they can walk in the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. In Jesus name I pray, Amen.
Have you been saved?
If you are someone who has not been saved. I would like to ask you, do you believe in your heart that Jesus is Lord and that God raised Him from the dead? If you believe that then declare openly with your mouth that Jesus is Lord. If you do these things, then you are, in fact, saved, and I would like to welcome you to the body of Christ.
If you declare with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved (Romans 10:9).
Have you been Holy Spirit Filled?
If you would like to receive power in your walk with God, welcome the Holy Spirit into your life today.
But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”
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