A Commitment Is Required

In the previous post, we talked about the importance of finding out what all the scriptures say, rather than simply jumping to conclusions.  Because everything about being a Christian is so interrelated, Jesus constantly reviews and repeats the various principles they know, building a little on them each time, somewhat like a good math or science teacher introducing new concepts.   One of these areas is in what it takes to be saved.  Many believe that all that is required is simply praying and asking God to save you, quoting Romans 10:9-10 as proof.  “That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.  For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.” 

As a result, they conclude that Jesus statements in Matthew 16:2-26 or Luke 14:26-27 have to be referring to something other than salvation.  Others take the opposite position that salvation is entirely dependent on one’s behaving well enough to earn his salvation.  If we recognize the Bible is God’s word, then both statements are true.  We need to study the scriptures, meditating on them and allowing the Holy Spirit to make us understand how that is possible.  Let’s start by examining Matthew 16:24-27. 

“Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.  For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it.  For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?  For the Son of man shall come in the glory of his Father with his angels; and then he shall reward every man according to his works.”

The warning about losing one’s soul makes it pretty clear this is about salvation, not just how faithfully one serves after being saved.  As we saw in the parable of the tares and wheat and the parable of the net, God’s angels will separate between those who have been saves and those who have not.  Ephesians 2:8-10 tells us, “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast.  For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.” 

Clearly, we are not saved by our own efforts, but by our faith in Jesus Christ. Our salvation is the result of Christ’s work in us, which will result in Good works.  A great many people have obtained information about how to deal with various health problems.  Unfortunately many of them will never put the information into practice, and as a result, although they obtained the information, they gain no benefit because they do not believe it enough to act on it.  In much the same way, a person can make a profession of faith, but without a commitment to follow through, they will not receive the benefits, and will not be saved. 

Luke 14:26-33 emphasizes the same point.  “If any man come to me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple.  And whosoever doth not bear his cross, and come after me, cannot be my disciple.  For which of you, intending to build a tower, sitteth not down first, and counteth the cost, whether he have sufficient to finish it?  Lest haply, after he hath laid the foundation, and is not able to finish it, all that behold it begin to mock him,  Saying, This man began to build, and was not able to finish.  Or what king, going to make war against another king, sitteth not down first, and consulteth whether he be able with ten thousand to meet him that cometh against him with twenty thousand?  Or else, while the other is yet a great way off, he sendeth an ambassage, and desireth conditions of peace.  So likewise, whosoever he be of you that forsaketh not all that he hath, he cannot be my disciple.” 

Thewse two passages do not change what is required for salvation.  As Romans 10:9-10 says, “That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.  For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.”  It does make us understand clearly that believing involves believing to such a degree that we are willing to give up our earthly life and benefits in order to be saved, allowing Christ to accomplish his work in us. 

Without such a commitment, one is much like the illegal immigrants, demanding all the rights and privileges of American citizens while refusing to obey the laws or take the responsibilities of citizens.  I John 10:1 is quite clear anyone trying to get in another way has no right to be there.  “Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that entereth not by the door into the sheepfold, but climbeth up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber.”  John 10:10 tells us, “The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy…”  Those who try to enter illegally have no concern for what is right, but only for what they might be able to get.  Only those who come legitimately are allowed into God’s kingdom.