Posted by KC [circe] on November 15, 1999 at 05:24:25 {AS5l1tybL6W53SZukFgE1f0.a//UGw}:
Probably no topic occupies the Christian mind more than "salvation". We must obtain eternal life. That's the Christian attitude. Some believe they are going to heaven, some believe they are living forever on earth. Either way, most Christians ask themselves: "What do God and Jesus require of me, for me to be saved?"
The answer would depend upon what Biblical verses you read.
Some scriptural passages say you are saved by works.
Others say your destiny has already been predetermined.
Others say you are saved by faith.
Still others say it is decided by God's whim. He simply looks down and arbitrarily selects those He wants.
(1) Salvation by works, for example, is shown in Matthew 19:16-21 where a man asked Jesus what he must do to have eternal life:
"And, behold, one came and said unto him, Good Master, what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life? And he said unto him… if thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments… The young man saith unto him, All these things have I kept from my youth up: what lack I yet? Jesus said unto him, If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow me."
(2) Some verses contend your destiny has already been predetermined. It's fixed.
Eph. 1:4,5 ”Just as he chose us in union with him before the founding of the world, that we should be holy and without blemish before him in love. For he foreordained us to the adoption through Jesus Christ as sons to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will ”
2 Thess. 2:13,14 "However, we are obligated to thank God always for YOU, brothers loved by Jehovah, because God selected YOU from [the] beginning for salvation by sanctifying YOU with spirit and by YOUR faith in the truth. 14 To this very destiny he called YOU"
(Also see: Eph. 1:11, Matthew 24:24, 31, Proverbs 16:9, 20:24, 2 Tim. 2:10, 1 Peter 1:2, 2:8)
(3) Some passages allege God merely selects people as He sees fit.
Ps. 65:4 "Happy is the one you choose and cause to approach, That he may reside in your courtyards."
John 6:65 "So he went on to say: “This is why I have said to YOU, No one can come to me unless it is granted him by the Father."
(See also: John 6:44, 17:9, Acts 22:14, Romans 9:16, 18, Psalm 86:13)
(4) And of course, there are those verses which Christians quote to prove one is saved by faith.
Acts 16:30 "And brought them out, and said, Sirs, what must I do to be saved? And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou halt be saved, and thy house. "
(See also: John 3:15-16, 18, 36, 6:28-29, 47, 11:25-26, Acts 4:12, 13:39, Romans 1:16-17, Hebrews 11:6, Ephesians 2:8-9)
No wonder there are so many different Christian denominations. The problem lies not so much with the preachers as the book from which they preach.
KC