I wonder if the folks mentioned in Matthew 7:21-23 would have answered "100% sure" to that poll.
I think most will say, "I don't know what else I could be doing to make heaven?"
We can name all the areas and situations in this world where needs have not, as yet, been met, and not one of us could fulfill them all. I can be friendly to my neighbor, but I can't make them listen to a Bible study or go to church. There isn't anything I can do until and unless God opens a door. We get all hung up on not doing enough. Timing in God's kingdom will further His Kingdom more and faster than us standing around ringing our hands that we haven't done enough.
I think most will say, "I don't know what else I could be doing to make heaven?"
We can name all the areas and situations in this world where needs have not, as yet, been met, and not one of us could fulfill them all. I can be friendly to my neighbor, but I can't make them listen to a Bible study or go to church. There isn't anything I can do until and unless God opens a door. We get all hung up on not doing enough. Timing in God's kingdom will further His Kingdom more and faster than us standing around ringing our hands that we haven't done enough.
Well, yeah. But I thought there wasn't enough you could do to be saved. You know, saved by grace, not by works? You're not one of them legalists, are ya? (No, I get it, and that was your point, I guess. Right? )
So. Are you 100% sure?
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Hebrews 13:23 Know ye that our brother Timothy is set at liberty
Well, yeah. But I thought there wasn't enough you could do to be saved. You know, saved by grace, not by works? You're not one of them legalists, are ya? (No, I get it, and that was your point, I guess. Right? )
So. Are you 100% sure?
I am 100% sure.
I am not a saved by grace person. That, IMO, gives the idea of once saved always saved.
There are three works mentioned in the Bible:
Dead works - living without faith.
works of the law - Jewish law
faith with works - working reality and points to obedience.
We need to make sure we are talking about faith with obedience. It takes obedience to continue in the faith. That is not a work to earn anything, but to remain faithful. We have responsibility in the Kingdom of God.
I am not a saved by grace person. That, IMO, gives the idea of once saved always saved.
There are three works mentioned in the Bible:
Dead works - living without faith.
works of the law - Jewish law
faith with works - working reality and points to obedience.
We need to make sure we are talking about faith with obedience. It takes obedience to continue in the faith. That is not a work to earn anything, but to remain faithful. We have responsibility in the Kingdom of God.
Wow then how were you saved?
Eph2:1 And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins;
2 wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience:
3 among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others.
4 But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us,
5 even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved 6 and hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus:
7 that in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus.
8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
9 not of works, lest any man should boast.
10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.
Eph2:1 And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins;
2 wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience:
3 among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others.
4 But God, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us,
5 even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Christ, (by grace ye are saved 6 and hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Jesus:
7 that in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus.
8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:
9 not of works, lest any man should boast.
10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.
Of course, you can't dismiss James 2:14-23, regarding faith with works and Abraham.
God does offer us grace - his graciousness, but our obedience to faith is necessary for us to be saved. He doesn't stand there offering grace with no type of response required from us.
If that were the case, I wouldn't need to repent or be baptized, or go onto perfection (maturity).
He also says, if you believe on me - call on my name, you will be saved. There is obedience that goes with that.
I also think that there are levels of rewards in heaven. Jesus speaks of laying up treasure in heaven, and also of the reward that will be received in heaven. I do believe that there will be levels of reward somehow in heaven that have to correspond with our level of obedience here on earth, which is why just "being saved" should not be goal we are aiming for. I believe in the gospels Jesus was teaching that our goal should not be just to get "saved", but to go as many extra miles as we can for the kingdom, and to lay up our treasure in heaven, not here on earth.
Which could throw the whole "salvation" concept into another tailspin, if one is to consider that perhaps the person who just believed, got saved, and never bothered to obey much further in his life, as opposed to the one who believed, and who sacrificed all, picked up his cross, sold all he had, and so on will most likely each receive a different reward in heaven.
I also think that there are levels of rewards in heaven. Jesus speaks of laying up treasure in heaven, and also of the reward that will be received in heaven. I do believe that there will be levels of reward somehow in heaven that have to correspond with our level of obedience here on earth, which is why just "being saved" should not be goal we are aiming for. I believe in the gospels Jesus was teaching that our goal should not be just to get "saved", but to go as many extra miles as we can for the kingdom, and to lay up our treasure in heaven, not here on earth.
Which could throw the whole "salvation" concept into another tailspin, if one is to consider that perhaps the person who just believed, got saved, and never bothered to obey much further in his life, as opposed to the one who believed, and who sacrificed all, picked up his cross, sold all he had, and so on will most likely each receive a different reward in heaven.
Except that I believe there is clear instruction and admonition in the Bible which can't be dismissed. Whatever else happens is up to God, but because I know what to do, I don't get to speculate on anything else. I'm not afforded that privilege, so to speak.