@Neogaia777
There is not a "
one-size fits all salvation package" for everyone. Babies who are aborted (and those who are mentally handicapped since birth, whereby they do not know right or wrong) are obviously saved by God's grace without even having any kind of faith. I also believe that a person who is about to die can believe in Jesus as their Savior and be saved without having to call upon the name of the Lord and without having to seek forgiveness over their sins with the Lord Jesus, and or without believing the gospel in
1 Corinthians 15:1-4. Why? Because
John 1:12 says that we can become the sons of God by just believing in His name. But Jesus says to whom much is given, much is required (
Luke 12:48). So the believer who lives out their faith are going to be required to act on the other aspects of God's grace. They are going to be required to act on the second side of the coin of faith in doing the work of faith or in being faithFUL. For when you think of the word faithful in relation to a man and woman, do you think of how they just have a belief alone in their marriage, or do you think that it has to do with their being loyal in their actions towards one another? Think, my friend. The word “faithful” is derived from the word “faith.”
I say this because those who live out their faith must go through God's full plan of salvation.
The Bible clearly teaches:
Aspect of Salvation #1.
God's Grace Through Faith in Jesus Christ as the Savior:
(Initial Salvation and or Foundational Salvation)
(
The 1st synergistic work of GOD done in a believer)
Being saved by God's grace through faith in Jesus as one's Savior is the entrance gate to salvation and the foundation of our salvation (by faith) upon which we stand. Being saved by God's grace is believing the gospel (Which is the power of God unto salvation to everyone who believes it - Romans 1:16). According to 1 Corinthians 15:1-4: The gospel is you believing that Jesus Christ died for your sins, He was buried, and He had risen again three days later for your salvation (Note: Do not let anyone sell you on another gospel besides this one). Depending on a person’s access or exposure to the Word: Being saved by God's grace will also generally include receiving Jesus as your Savior (John 1:12) and calling upon the name of the Lord (i.e., confessing with your mouth the words: “Lord Jesus” or similar equivalent - Romans 10:9) as a part of seeking forgiveness of your sins with Him by way of prayer (Romans 10:13) (Luke 15:18-21) (Luke 18:9-14). This process of salvation is without the deeds of the Law or works because it is based upon God’s mercy and grace and His redemptive work. As a result: One is born again spiritually (Note: Born again by the Spirit, and born again by water (i.e., the Scriptures - Romans 10:17, 1 Peter 1:23)). A person is foundationally or ultimately saved by God’s grace because if they happen to sin on rare occasion in their Christian walk, they do not do a "good work" to absolve that sin, but they confess of their sins to Jesus in order to be forgiven of that sin (1 John 1:9) (1 John 2:1) (Hebrews 4:16) (For verses on being saved by God's grace, see: Ephesians 2:8-9, Romans 4:1-6, Titus 3:4-7, 1 Corinthians 15:1-4, Luke 18:9-14, Romans 5:1-2).
Aspect of Salvation #2.
Sanctification of the Spirit to Live a Holy Life & A Belief of the Truth:
(The Next Step or Phase in the Salvation Process)
(
The 2nd synergistic work of God done in a believer)
This is based on 2 Thessalonians 2:13-14 (Which is the call of the gospel; Note: 2 Thessalonians 2:13-14 is not the gospel. It is simply the call of the gospel; For the gospel is 1 Corinthians 15:1-4).
2 Thessalonians 2:13-14
13 “…God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation
through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth:
14 Whereunto he called you by our gospel,..”
This secondary aspect of salvation in 2 Thessalonians 2:13 is in two parts. It is a two-part intertwined secondary aspect of salvation (Which joins the cord of Initial Salvation or Foundational Salvation in being saved by God’s grace). Within this secondary aspect of salvation has two parts; we need to understand that one does not exist without the other (Note: The following is mentioned in order according to 2 Thessalonians 2:13-14 and it is not stating that one cannot proceed with the other or vice versa).
(a). Sanctification of the Spirit to Live a Holy Life is the next step or phase in Salvation for a believer who lives out their faith; This is the work of God moving in a believer's life so as to help them to live holy, and to do good works and to put away the lusts of the flesh. These good works are the works of God done through the believer, and so all boasting or praise is given to the Lord. Therefore, there is no boasting in one's own work because they are ultimately the works of God done through the believer. A believer today who obeys the Lord looks to the commands of Jesus and His followers within the New Testament primarily. For believers today are not under the 613 Laws of Moses as a whole package deal (even though certain laws have carried over into the New Testament). Basically, all ceremonial laws and judicial laws in the Old Testament no longer apply. For example, Believers do not have to keep the Saturday Sabbath, circumcision, dietary laws, animal sacrifices, holy days, etc.; However, believers must keep God's Moral Laws like, Do not murder, do not steal, do not covet, do not lie, do commit adultery, etc.; Two of the greatest commands that we should focus on daily is to love God and love our neighbor who is more fully described in Mark 12:29-31. We need to worship or adore the Lord our God, preach the gospel, help the poor, love the brethren, love our enemies, and live holy lives, etc. (For Sanctification verses, see: James 2:24, James 2:17-18, Titus 1:16, Hebrews 5:9, 2 Thessalonians 2:13, Hebrews 12:14, Romans 8:1 (KJV), 1 Corinthians 16:22, Romans 8:13, Galatians 6:8-9, etc.).
(b) A Belief of the Truth is also another secondary synergistic intertwined aspect of salvation for the believer (in addition to the Sanctification of the Holy Spirit). We need to study to show ourselves approved unto God according to 2 Timothy 2:15 (KJB). We must hold to certain correct doctrines or teachings in God’s Word. One example: It is implied that denying bodily resurrection means one’s faith is overthrown (See: 2 Timothy 2:17-18). So we need to study God’s Word (the Holy Bible) and hold to its truths. Now, does that mean one is not saved if they don’t know of the bodily resurrection? I don’t believe so. I believe that is what God’s grace is for. But once a key core doctrine of God’s Word is revealed to a believer, they cannot reject it. So a belief of the truth is similar to Sanctification. A Christian must grow in the knowledge of God’s Word and accept its beautiful fundamental truths. Does holding to all truths in the Bible save? Well, I don’t think a belief in the Nephilim saves (although it is a truth taught in His Word). But I believe there are other foundational truths we must eventually learn and accept as Christians. The Spirit will guide a believer into all truth within God’s Word.
For even more clarity, I created two pics to help illustrate the two aspects of salvation as taught in the Bible.
God's grace is a process of salvation without works because it is based on His mercy and grace, and redemption that He accomplished for us with His death, burial, and resurrection. We can come boldly unto the throne of grace, and obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need (Hebrews 4:15). God's grace teaches us to deny ungodliness and that we should live righteously and godly in this present world (Titus 2:11-12). Being saved by God's grace is different than living righteously but yet they are connected. The Bible says we are saved by God's grace without works (Ephesians 2:8-9), and the Bible also says works are needed as a part of salvation (1 Peter 4:18-19) (Matthew 3:10), too. It's not a contradiction if one understands that the Bible is talking about different points in time for the believer.
Proof that there are two aspects or two different types of salvation:
Salvation by God's grace without works (Initial Salvation):
#1. Babies (who died) are saved by God's grace without works.
#2. The thief on the cross was saved by God's grace without works.
#3. Men who are about to die in a hospital bed can receive Jesus as their Savior and be saved without doing any kind of works.
Salvation by Sanctification (Secondary Aspect of Salvation), which includes putting away sin, doing good works, and living a holy life by the power of God (Which happens AFTER we are saved by God's grace):
#1. James says faith without works is dead (James 2:17). Can a dead faith without works save you? Obviously James is referring to what happens after we have been saved by God's grace otherwise James would be contradicting Paul in Ephesians 2:8-9.
#2. John the Baptist says axe is laid to the root of the tree, and therefore bring forth fruits worthy of repentance, otherwise one will be cut down and thrown into the fire (Matthew 3:10). So John the Baptist is saying you need to do good work or you will not be saved.
#3. Jesus talks about those who helped the poor in this life as entering the kingdom (Which is a good work), vs. those who did not help the poor in this life and they were told to depart into everlasting fire (Matthew 25:31-46). Obviously Jesus is saying this as a requirement for us to do as a part of being a part of His good kingdom. None of these things here on this particular list is in reference to salvation by God's grace without works as mentioned by the apostle Paul in Ephesians 2:8-9.
So in conclusion:
I believe the Bible teaches that there are two aspects of salvation. That is why there are verses teaching how we are saved by God’s grace through faith without works, and there are other verses teaching we must live holy as a part of entering the Kingdom.
