How Is One’s Name Written in the Book of Life?

[Jack Terrence]

Acts 5:31 Him God has exalted to His right hand to be Prince and Savior, to give repentance to Israel and forgiveness of sins. NKJV


Acts 11:18 When they heard these things they became silent; and they glorified God, saying, "Then God has also granted to the Gentiles repentance to life." NKJV

It's the same Greek word in both verses. Grant can also mean give and give can also mean grant. In Acts 11 the council said that God has also granted to the gentiles. I took that to mean God did to the gentiles the same as He did to Israel. Thank you

That's just your translation preference. Some translations render it "grant" in both verses. God doesn't give repentance in the sense Calvinists say. He gives it in the sense that he bars no one from repentance. He grants them access to repentance. Again, Paul said that he granted (gave) repentance to Israel (Acts 5:31). But not all Israel repented. That should prove that Calvinists got things wrong.

"For unto you it has been granted not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for his sake."

 

[Jack Terrence]

Who made that rule?

Show from the Old Testament where the names of gentiles were written in the book of life. And why are their names not written upon the New Jerusalem?

 

[David Lamb]

Show from the Old Testament where the names of gentiles were written in the book of life. And why are their names not written upon the New Jerusalem?

I imagine the verse you have in mind is:

““He who overcomes, I will make him a pillar in the temple of My God, and he shall go out no more. And I will write on him the name of My God and the name of the city of My God, the New Jerusalem, which comes down out of heaven from My God. And [I will write on him] My new name.” (Re 3:12 NKJV)

If so, that doesn't say that anybody's name is written on the new Jerusalem, but that God's name, and "the name of the city of My God, the New Jerusalem" will be written on him who overcomes.

 

[Aaron112]

The question of how one’s name is written in or removed from this book is crucial in understanding salvation, judgment, and God’s justice.

Why ?

 

[fli]

That's just your translation preference. Some translations render it "grant" in both verses. God doesn't give repentance in the sense Calvinists say. He gives it in the sense that he bars no one from repentance. He grants them access to repentance. Again, Paul said that he granted (gave) repentance to Israel (Acts 5:31). But not all Israel repented. That should prove that Calvinists got things wrong.

"For unto you it has been granted not only to believe on him, but also to suffer for his sake."

Repentance is a work if you withdraw from your sins. I have only given up one sin that I did not fight to give up. I was an agnostic, God adverse, person. As a child my parents actions turned me against God. Their actions were normal for flesh and blood people, they believed in Jesus but were still in the world, we were not rich. Both parents came through the great depression of the 20's – 30's. Their security and trust in anything except valuable possessions shaken and it lasted most of their life. They placed great trust in their possessions. This affected their faith in Jesus and I saw it as hypocrisy. They were sinners as we all are. I grew up believing that I was an intellectual. I was too smart to believe but not dumb enough to entirely dismiss God as a reality. I claimed being an agnostic. I went my own way without God.

Like a lot of people, my way got me into trouble. After 18 years in the military, the service told me to shape up or ship out. I didn't want to lose the time I had built up to retire, I only had 2 years to go. I decided to shape up. I got into an organization that offered a spiritual program to over come my problem. To cut a long story short I came to understand that Jesus could help me overcome my problems. I began to read the bible.

John 3:16 For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. 17 For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved. NKJV

I came to believe that all I had to do was believe in Jesus and my problem would be solved. That was all I had to do to be saved, for an eternity, was believe in Jesus.


John 3:32 And what He has seen and heard, that He testifies; and no one receives His testimony. 33 He who has received His testimony has certified that God is true. 34 For He whom God has sent speaks the words of God, for God does not give the Spirit by measure. NKJV

When I believed I had repented toward God. Before I didn't believe in Jesus and because I received hope from the gospel message God gave me several gifts.

Colossians 1:3 We give thanks to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, praying always for you, 4 since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of your love for all the saints; 5 because of the hope which is laid up for you in heaven, of which you heard before in the word of the truth of the gospel, NKJV

When I believed in Jesus, because He gave me hope, I received the gifts of His love for the saints and saving faith. At that same time, I was born from above and I now had His, Jesus', mind. All I needed to do was listen and believe, to obedience, His mind as He told me God's law is holy, just and the only way to be happy. That is total repentance as He gives us the power to overcome.

Romans 8:12 Therefore, brethren, we are debtors — not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh. 13 For if you live according to the flesh you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live. 14 For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God. NKJV

Because God had granted me repentance, which I accepted (a gift needs to be accepted for it to help you. God doesn't force gifts on anyone), all I needed to do is follow His voice, as Jesus told me to give up the first sin that He convicted me of or die, to prove that I was His Child. Once I proved that I was His child I had reached eternal life. Once we pass the point that we prove we are His child, He does expect work from us. Up to that point Jesus did it all.


1 John 3:3 And everyone who has this hope in Him purifies himself, just as He is pure. NKJV


Those people who keep believing in Jesus, because of the hope that He gives them, will stay in the Spirit to their death, because they are His child. All they need to do is keep believing in Jesus.

So, I do not care if the verse is translated granted or gives repentance. All we need to do is keep hoping in Jesus to receive the free gift.

Philippians 1:29 For to you it has been granted on behalf of Christ, not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for His sake, 30 having the same conflict which you saw in me and now hear is in me. NKJV

Does the above only apply to the Philippians or to all Christians?

Mark 13:20 20 And unless the Lord had shortened those days, no flesh would be saved; but for the elect's sake, whom He chose, He shortened the days. NKJV

In the tribulation God chose the elect that would suffer through at least a part of the tribulation. Did God choose those elect from the elect that volunteered?

Hebrews 12:5 And you have forgotten the exhortation which speaks to you as to sons: "My son, do not despise the chastening of the Lord, Nor be discouraged when you are rebuked by Him; 6 For whom the Lord loves He chastens, And scourges every son whom He receives." NKJV

It seems all the elect choose to be scourged.

Thank you.

 

[Clare73]

Show from the Old Testament where the names of gentiles were written in the book of life. And why are their names not written upon the New Jerusalem?

When you show from the Old Testament that the capitol of TX is Austin.

 

[Jack Terrence]

I imagine the verse you have in mind is:

““He who overcomes, I will make him a pillar in the temple of My God, and he shall go out no more. And I will write on him the name of My God and the name of the city of My God, the New Jerusalem, which comes down out of heaven from My God. And [I will write on him] My new name.” (Re 3:12 NKJV)

If so, that doesn't say that anybody's name is written on the new Jerusalem, but that God's name, and "the name of the city of My God, the New Jerusalem" will be written on him who overcomes.

The seven churches were Jewish believers. The names of Gentiles are not written in the book of life. Neither are their names written on the New Jerusalem.

 

[Jack Terrence]

When you show from the Old Testament that the capitol of TX is Austin.

Thanks for admitting that you cannot show from the Old Testament that the names of Gentiles are written in the book of life. The book of life wasn't about salvation. it was Israel's census book.

 

[David Lamb]

The seven churches were Jewish believers. The names of Gentiles are not written in the book of life. Neither are their names written on the New Jerusalem.

How do you know that the 7 Asian churches consisted entirely of Jewish believers?

As I said in my previous post, the verse doesn't say that anybody's name was written on the New Jerusalem. The verse says:

““He who overcomes, I will make him a pillar in the temple of My God, and he shall go out no more. And I will write on him the name of My God and the name of the city of My God, the New Jerusalem, which comes down out of heaven from My God. And [I will write on him] My new name.” (Re 3:12 NKJV)

So the name of the New Jerusalem was to be written on "He who overcomes." It doesn't say that the name of him who overcomes is written on the New Jerusalem.

 

[Clare73]

Thanks for admitting that you cannot show from the Old Testament that the names of Gentiles are written in the book of life. The book of life wasn't about salvation. it was Israel's census book.

Precisely. . .and like the capitol of Texas, not being able to show Gentiles in the book of life in the OT means nothing.

 

[FAITH-IN-HIM]

what about point no 2 and 3 are these necessary also? in your opinion, I mention this simply because many just think that simply believing in the name of Jesus will save them but it requires a bit more according to Jesus.

1. Believe in Jesus and follow His words – “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.” (John 3:16)
2. Repent from sin and live righteously – “I tell you, no; but unless you repent you will all likewise perish.” (Luke 13:3)
3. Remain faithful to the end – “But he who endures to the end shall be saved.” (Matthew 24:13)

Believers who think salvation can be lost often cite Matt 24:13, interpreting "endure to the end" as a requirement.

Matthew 24 contains prophecies concerning the end times, encompassing events prior to the rapture, the tribulation, and the Second Coming. The passage is not presented in strict chronological order. During the seven-year tribulation period, the Holy Spirit will be withdrawn and the "age of the church" will conclude. During this time, salvation will be attainable only through works rather than faith alone. Currently, in what is referred to as the age of the church or the Grace period, salvation is available through faith. However, after the rapture of the church salvation will require works. This perspective is often cited as the interpretation of Matthew 24:13.

 

[fli]

Believers who think salvation can be lost often cite Matt 24:13, interpreting "endure to the end" as a requirement.

I am one who believes salvation can be lost. It takes 2 witnesses to establish the truth.

Hebrews 10:23 Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful. NKJV

We are warned to keep the hope of our confession. The confession is the hope we expressed in Jesus to get us into heaven.

Colossians 1:21 And you, who once were alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now He has reconciled 22 in the body of His flesh through death, to present you holy, and blameless, and above reproach in His sight — 23 if indeed you continue in the faith, grounded and steadfast, and are not moved away from the hope of the gospel which you heard, which was preached to every creature under heaven, of which I, Paul, became a minister. NKJV

Once again, the Holy Spirit warns us to not the lose hope of the gospel. That is 2 witnesses that warn us to maintain hope in Jesus.

So why is it important not to lose the hope we have in Jesus?

Colossians 1:3 We give thanks to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, praying always for you, 4 since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of your love for all the saints; 5 because of the hope which is laid up for you in heaven, of which you heard before in the word of the truth of the gospel, NKJV

When we heard the gospel and it gave us hope, from that hope that Jesus could get us into heaven, it created our saving faith. At that moment we were born from above and received all the gifts necessary to get us into heaven, if we kept the hope in Jesus to get us to heaven.

Hebrews 11:1 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. 2 For by it the elders obtained a good testimony. NKJV

Take away hope from the definition and there is no saving faith. So that is 2 witnesses that saving faith can be lost if we lose hope in Jesus. In addition, we have several more witnesses that we must keep believing in Jesus, no one will keep believing in Jesus if they do not have hope in Him.

Matthew 24 contains prophecies concerning the end times, encompassing events prior to the rapture, the tribulation, and the Second Coming. The passage is not presented in strict chronological order. During the seven-year tribulation period, the Holy Spirit will be withdrawn and the "age of the church" will conclude. During this time, salvation will be attainable only through works rather than faith alone. Currently, in what is referred to as the age of the church or the Grace period, salvation is available through faith. However, after the rapture of the church salvation will require works. This perspective is often cited as the interpretation of Matthew 24:13.

Are works necessary for salvation during the tribulation?

Revelation 12:17 And the dragon was enraged with the woman, and he went to make war with the rest of her offspring, who keep the commandments of God and have the testimony of Jesus Christ. NKJV

2 places in the book of Revelation it states that the saints are keeping the commandments of God.

1 John 3:22 And whatever we ask we receive from Him, because we keep His commandments and do those things that are pleasing in His sight. 23 And this is His commandment: that we should believe on the name of His Son Jesus Christ and love one another, as He gave us commandment. 24 Now he who keeps His commandments abides in Him, and He in him. And by this we know that He abides in us, by the Spirit whom He has given us. NKJV

In 1 John are the commandments we are to keep.

1 John 5:13 These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life, and that you may continue to believe in the name of the Son of God. NKJV

We have to keep believing in Jesus. To do that we need to keep our hope in Jesus. If we do that, we will keep both of the commandments and we will have eternal life.

Revelation 21:7 He who overcomes shall inherit all things, and I will be his God and he shall be My son. 8 But the cowardly, unbelieving, abominable, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death." NKJV

It is no coincidence that the book of revelation mentions that all cowards are in the lake of fire.

 

[FAITH-IN-HIM]

I am one who believes salvation can be lost. It takes 2 witnesses to establish the truth.

Hebrews 10:23 Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful. NKJV

We are warned to keep the hope of our confession. The confession is the hope we expressed in Jesus to get us into heaven.

Colossians 1:21 And you, who once were alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now He has reconciled 22 in the body of His flesh through death, to present you holy, and blameless, and above reproach in His sight — 23 if indeed you continue in the faith, grounded and steadfast, and are not moved away from the hope of the gospel which you heard, which was preached to every creature under heaven, of which I, Paul, became a minister. NKJV

Once again, the Holy Spirit warns us to not the lose hope of the gospel. That is 2 witnesses that warn us to maintain hope in Jesus.

So why is it important not to lose the hope we have in Jesus?

Colossians 1:3 We give thanks to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, praying always for you, 4 since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of your love for all the saints; 5 because of the hope which is laid up for you in heaven, of which you heard before in the word of the truth of the gospel, NKJV

When we heard the gospel and it gave us hope, from that hope that Jesus could get us into heaven, it created our saving faith. At that moment we were born from above and received all the gifts necessary to get us into heaven, if we kept the hope in Jesus to get us to heaven.

Hebrews 11:1 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. 2 For by it the elders obtained a good testimony. NKJV

Take away hope from the definition and there is no saving faith. So that is 2 witnesses that saving faith can be lost if we lose hope in Jesus. In addition, we have several more witnesses that we must keep believing in Jesus, no one will keep believing in Jesus if they do not have hope in Him.



Are works necessary for salvation during the tribulation?

Revelation 12:17 And the dragon was enraged with the woman, and he went to make war with the rest of her offspring, who keep the commandments of God and have the testimony of Jesus Christ. NKJV

2 places in the book of Revelation it states that the saints are keeping the commandments of God.

1 John 3:22 And whatever we ask we receive from Him, because we keep His commandments and do those things that are pleasing in His sight. 23 And this is His commandment: that we should believe on the name of His Son Jesus Christ and love one another, as He gave us commandment. 24 Now he who keeps His commandments abides in Him, and He in him. And by this we know that He abides in us, by the Spirit whom He has given us. NKJV

In 1 John are the commandments we are to keep.

1 John 5:13 These things I have written to you who believe in the name of the Son of God, that you may know that you have eternal life, and that you may continue to believe in the name of the Son of God. NKJV

We have to keep believing in Jesus. To do that we need to keep our hope in Jesus. If we do that, we will keep both of the commandments and we will have eternal life.

Revelation 21:7 He who overcomes shall inherit all things, and I will be his God and he shall be My son. 8 But the cowardly, unbelieving, abominable, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death." NKJV

It is no coincidence that the book of revelation mentions that all cowards are in the lake of fire.

Do you see salvation as hope rather than a gift?

 

[fli]

Do you see salvation as hope rather than a gift?

Salvation is a gift but only if we have faith in Jesus to get us into heaven. There are people who desire to go to heaven but when Jesus tells them to give up a worldly pleasure, they refuse to accept discipline. His sheep are the only ones that follow His voice in and give up worldly pleasures.

There are no scriptures that guarantee eternal salvation. I know in the gospel of John only those the Father drew had eternal security. The Father limited those drawn to ensure prophecy would be fulfilled. By doing that the prophecies that there was only one person that was to betray Him and to also insure His rejection by Israel. The Father only drew those who would not betray Him. Jesus now draws all men to Himself, and all men can respond positively and be saved until they refuse to be disciplined.

 

[FAITH-IN-HIM]

Salvation is a gift but only if we have faith in Jesus to get us into heaven. There are people who desire to go to heaven but when Jesus tells them to give up a worldly pleasure, they refuse to accept discipline. His sheep are the only ones that follow His voice in and give up worldly pleasures.

There are no scriptures that guarantee eternal salvation. I know in the gospel of John only those the Father drew had eternal security. The Father limited those drawn to ensure prophecy would be fulfilled. By doing that the prophecies that there was only one person that was to betray Him and to also insure His rejection by Israel. The Father only drew those who would not betray Him. Jesus now draws all men to Himself, and all men can respond positively and be saved until they refuse to be disciplined.

If a man must exercise self-discipline, relinquish worldly possessions and pleasures, and follow to various practices to attain salvation, how does this fundamentally differ from the requirements of Mosaic law? Mosaic law requires individuals to observe specific practices and follow laws in pursuit of eternal life. This raises theological questions regarding the significance of Jesus's crucifixion if salvation is still contingent upon human effort.

 

[Aseyesee]

The book of life is a relational metaphor ... considering that God knows those who are his, and this before the world was ...

 

[Aseyesee]

If a man must exercise self-discipline, relinquish worldly possessions and pleasures, and follow to various practices to attain salvation, how does this fundamentally differ from the requirements of Mosaic law? Mosaic law requires individuals to observe specific practices and follow laws in pursuit of eternal life. This raises theological questions regarding the significance of Jesus's crucifixion if salvation is still contingent upon human effort.

Just to throw it out there …

In some ways he is right (though it is a conscious truth/being that the only thing a man can give for his soul is his soul) … unless we lose our soul we never find the one that comes down from heaven (which is just another way of saying pick up your cross, or thou shalt not eat, or take no thought), which is not so much about salvation (which word is but a seed) as it is about a relational experience now, that is as (firstly) individual as it is (lastly) collective … it is the rest (for our soul) whereby he causes us to rest (a Father and Son abiding), being that he is in us both to will and to do to this expected end …

The Bible paints a picture of the path of life from multiple angles, yet all revealing the same one truth, and the process of entering (without cost (though it may not at first seem like that) into what (in the mind of God/Christ) has always been …

 

[fli]

If a man must exercise self-discipline, relinquish worldly possessions and pleasures, and follow to various practices to attain salvation, how does this fundamentally differ from the requirements of Mosaic law? Mosaic law requires individuals to observe specific practices and follow laws in pursuit of eternal life. This raises theological questions regarding the significance of Jesus's crucifixion if salvation is still contingent upon human effort.

Thank you for your reply

When did I say we serve anyone other than Jesus?

Hebrews 12:5 And you have forgotten the exhortation which speaks to you as to sons: "My son, do not despise the chastening of the Lord, Nor be discouraged when you are rebuked by Him; 6 For whom the Lord loves He chastens, And scourges every son whom He receives." 7 If you endure chastening, God deals with you as with sons; for what son is there whom a father does not chasten? 8 But if you are without chastening, of which all have become partakers, then you are illegitimate and not sons. NKJV

(You must not have read Hebrews. I post it here to prove that I have not made it up. Above is the word of God. Illegitimate children do not have an inheritance in heaven.)

First of all, we must accept discipline if we are to make it through the sanctification process. Sanctification is the process of agreeing to put to death our sins. We will have less sins by the time we die than we had before we entered Jesus.

Romans 8:9 But you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you. Now if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he is not His. 10 And if Christ is in you, the body is dead because of sin, but the Spirit is life because of righteousness. 11 But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you. NKJV

The first thing God does when we accept Jesus is to kill our flesh when we enter Jesus. This is because Jesus cannot have any sin in Him nor can He be in sin. Jesus is in our bodies and we are in Him. Romans 8: 3-4 God has killed our bodies we cannot commit sin so the law of sin and death is fulfilled. Romans 8: 11 God will keep us alive physically as long as we walk in the Spirit.

At the time we enter Jesus, God gives those who get hope from the gospel message, saving faith and love for the saints. He also gives us any other gifts the Holy Spirit deems that we must have for the needs of the church. We are also born from above by the Spirit of Jesus. By John 1: 12 we now have the right to become sons of God. By John 3: 33 we have certified that God is true because we reject the lie, of Satan, that God did not want us to be like Him. This is repentance towards God.

By Acts 11 :18 God grants us repentance of sins to the point of (eternal) life. This repentance means we can get into heaven without repenting of the first sin Jesus convicts us of if we agree to be disciplined. Those who take advantage of this will let Jesus kill them to put to death the sins of the flesh. Ananias and wife died under discipline and went to heaven because they did not repent when they lied to Jesus, the church at Jerusalem. Therefore, salvation is a free gift. It required only that Ananias believe in Jesus, not do any work nor give up anything or act in any certain way, to get to heaven.

Romans 8:6 For to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. 7 Because the carnal mind is enmity against God; for it is not subject to the law of God, nor indeed can be. 8 So then, those who are in the flesh cannot please God. NKJV

Because Jesus is in the new spiritual created man We have the mind of Jesus. John 10: 4. Those new believers who follow Jesus' voice will obey, proving they agree with His Spiritual mind, and have made Him their Lord.

Once we are a Son of God, He expects works from us. We do not do the works for salvation, we do them out of our love for Him. If we do not do the works that Jesus tells us to do we will lose rewards, but as long as we are walking in the Spirit the Father will keep us alive.

1 John 3:22 And whatever we ask we receive from Him, because we keep His commandments and do those things that are pleasing in His sight. 23 And this is His commandment: that we should believe on the name of His Son Jesus Christ and love one another, as He gave us commandment. 24 Now he who keeps His commandments abides in Him, and He in him. And by this we know that He abides in us, by the Spirit whom He has given us. NKJV

The only commandments we have to keep for salvation is to keep believing in Jesus and to love our brethren. If we fall short of loving our brother God will fulfill and keep us alive if we walk in the Spirit otherwise. If we do not make an effort to exercise the love of Jesus in our spirit man, we will pay in some way.

1 John 2:3 Now by this we know that we know Him, if we keep His commandments. 4 He who says, "I know Him," and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. 5 But whoever keeps His word, truly the love of God is perfected in him. NKJV

If we die in Jesus, we have kept His word and Jesus' love is perfected in us. I believe this also applies to His mind that is in our spirit man. This means every redeemed person in heaven has the mind of Jesus and the love of Jesus to guide their behavior. There will be nothing in heaven to spoil the serenity, joy and peace. Won't that be a pleasure to worship God in heaven.

 

[FAITH-IN-HIM]

Thank you for your reply

When did I say we serve anyone other than Jesus?

Hebrews 12:5 And you have forgotten the exhortation which speaks to you as to sons: "My son, do not despise the chastening of the Lord, Nor be discouraged when you are rebuked by Him; 6 For whom the Lord loves He chastens, And scourges every son whom He receives." 7 If you endure chastening, God deals with you as with sons; for what son is there whom a father does not chasten? 8 But if you are without chastening, of which all have become partakers, then you are illegitimate and not sons. NKJV

(You must not have read Hebrews. I post it here to prove that I have not made it up. Above is the word of God. Illegitimate children do not have an inheritance in heaven.)

First of all, we must accept discipline if we are to make it through the sanctification process. Sanctification is the process of agreeing to put to death our sins. We will have less sins by the time we die than we had before we entered Jesus.

Romans 8:9 But you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you. Now if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he is not His. 10 And if Christ is in you, the body is dead because of sin, but the Spirit is life because of righteousness. 11 But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you. NKJV

The first thing God does when we accept Jesus is to kill our flesh when we enter Jesus. This is because Jesus cannot have any sin in Him nor can He be in sin. Jesus is in our bodies and we are in Him. Romans 8: 3-4 God has killed our bodies we cannot commit sin so the law of sin and death is fulfilled. Romans 8: 11 God will keep us alive physically as long as we walk in the Spirit.

At the time we enter Jesus, God gives those who get hope from the gospel message, saving faith and love for the saints. He also gives us any other gifts the Holy Spirit deems that we must have for the needs of the church. We are also born from above by the Spirit of Jesus. By John 1: 12 we now have the right to become sons of God. By John 3: 33 we have certified that God is true because we reject the lie, of Satan, that God did not want us to be like Him. This is repentance towards God.

By Acts 11 :18 God grants us repentance of sins to the point of (eternal) life. This repentance means we can get into heaven without repenting of the first sin Jesus convicts us of if we agree to be disciplined. Those who take advantage of this will let Jesus kill them to put to death the sins of the flesh. Ananias and wife died under discipline and went to heaven because they did not repent when they lied to Jesus, the church at Jerusalem. Therefore, salvation is a free gift. It required only that Ananias believe in Jesus, not do any work nor give up anything or act in any certain way, to get to heaven.

Romans 8:6 For to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. 7 Because the carnal mind is enmity against God; for it is not subject to the law of God, nor indeed can be. 8 So then, those who are in the flesh cannot please God. NKJV

Because Jesus is in the new spiritual created man We have the mind of Jesus. John 10: 4. Those new believers who follow Jesus' voice will obey, proving they agree with His Spiritual mind, and have made Him their Lord.

Once we are a Son of God, He expects works from us. We do not do the works for salvation, we do them out of our love for Him. If we do not do the works that Jesus tells us to do we will lose rewards, but as long as we are walking in the Spirit the Father will keep us alive.

1 John 3:22 And whatever we ask we receive from Him, because we keep His commandments and do those things that are pleasing in His sight. 23 And this is His commandment: that we should believe on the name of His Son Jesus Christ and love one another, as He gave us commandment. 24 Now he who keeps His commandments abides in Him, and He in him. And by this we know that He abides in us, by the Spirit whom He has given us. NKJV

The only commandments we have to keep for salvation is to keep believing in Jesus and to love our brethren. If we fall short of loving our brother God will fulfill and keep us alive if we walk in the Spirit otherwise. If we do not make an effort to exercise the love of Jesus in our spirit man, we will pay in some way.

1 John 2:3 Now by this we know that we know Him, if we keep His commandments. 4 He who says, "I know Him," and does not keep His commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him. 5 But whoever keeps His word, truly the love of God is perfected in him. NKJV

If we die in Jesus, we have kept His word and Jesus' love is perfected in us. I believe this also applies to His mind that is in our spirit man. This means every redeemed person in heaven has the mind of Jesus and the love of Jesus to guide their behavior. There will be nothing in heaven to spoil the serenity, joy and peace. Won't that be a pleasure to worship God in heaven.

I will ask the question again.

Is it necessary to work, obey, follow guidelines, and maintain discipline in order to attain heaven? If so, what distinguishes New Testament/ Salvation from Mosaic Law?

 

[fli]

I will ask the question again.

Is it necessary to work, obey, follow guidelines, and maintain discipline in order to attain heaven? If so, what distinguishes New Testament/ Salvation from Mosaic Law?

No work has to be done to attain eternal life in heaven. We do need to accept discipline. Once we reach the point of eternal life and we listened to Jesus we could have let Him put us to sleep, kill us, to put to death the sins of the flesh. Ananias and Sapphira went to sleep under discipline and went to heaven. The drunks in 1Corinthians 11:29-30 went to sleep under discipline and went to heaven. Ananias and wife did give some money to the church, but they did it for the wrong reason, so it didn't count. Both the groups took discipline, so they were sons of God. Because they reached the point of eternal life and took discipline they went to heaven. The point of eternal life is when we either accept or reject discipline. After accepting discipline, we are sons of God and have eternal life in heaven. From this point on we are required to do works and walk in the Spirit to continue living in the flesh. To walk in the Spirit, we do works of the law out of love for God.