I have been thinking about my post of last week that I titled “Gratefully Guilty as Charged.” I did my best, in a very brief format, to show that “works” are required for salvation (not the initial salvation that accompanies the new birth, but ultimate salvation when one inherits God’s kingdom after standing before the Lord Jesus Christ at judgment). And I listed three crystal-clear New Testament passages authored by Paul—all written to saved Christians—that proved my point:
(1) “Or do you not know that the unrighteous will not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor homosexuals, nor thieves, nor the covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor swindlers, will inherit the kingdom of God” (1 Cor. 6:9-10).
(2) “But immorality or any impurity or greed must not even be named among you, as is proper among saints…. For this you know with certainty, that no immoral or impure person or covetous man, who is an idolater, has an inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God. Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience” (Eph. 5:3-6).
(3) “Now the deeds of the flesh are evident, which are: immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, disputes, dissensions, factions, envying, drunkenness, carousing, and things like these, of which I forewarn you, just as I have forewarned you, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God” (Gal. 5:19-21).
Paul listed many “works” in those three passages, and notice that all of them are negative works. They are works that we must not do, as believers, lest we risk “not inheriting the kingdom of God” (a phrase used by Paul in all three passages).
Of course, there is much more that could be said to elaborate on this topic, but that would require a lot more space. But if those three passages don’t fit your understanding of salvation or grace, you need to adjust your understanding of those things.
We’ve all heard the “logic” and trite spiritual sayings that are endlessly repeated in Christian circles which all imply that God’s grace is “unconditional,” or that it is impossible for people who are genuinely saved to ever forfeit their salvation, or that any requirement of holiness nullifies salvation by grace. But those are all exposed as patently false by those three scripture passages, and hundreds of others in the New Testament. Honest people have to admit that.
And personally, what is so difficult about avoiding the sins Paul listed? How hard is it, really, to avoid fornication, idolatry, adultery, homosexuality, theft, greed, drunkenness, carousing, swindling, sorcery, jealousy and envy, outbursts of anger, strife and dissensions? Especially when you have the Holy Spirit living in you by virtue of the new birth, and thus all the fruit of that Spirit, such as “self-control”? Is avoiding those sins really all that challenging? I suppose that is why practicing those things can disqualify believers from ultimately inheriting God’s kingdom, because they are even more grievous to God when committed by someone in whom He lives, and someone who has had the power of sin broken over their lives.
In any case, I can’t help but wonder about folks who make such a fuss over the very-biblical idea that there is a standard of holiness that is required for ultimate salvation. What is the big deal? The standards that Paul lists in those three passages are not all that difficult to attain. (And I’m certainly thankful that “sleeping during sermons” can’t be found anywhere in those lists!)
Yes, of course, God’s standards also include some positive “works,” such as caring for the “least of these” (see Matt. 25:31-46) and loving the brethren. But let us not forget that Jesus promised His followers that His “burden is light and His yoke is easy” (Matt. 11:30). John similarly wrote that God’s “commandments are not burdensome” (1 John 5:3). One reason for that is because of what God does for those who are born again.
In any case, I’m not trying to win an argument. I’m trying to help people inherit God’s kingdom when they stand before the Lord Jesus, which we all will. And I don’t care what any famous preacher says that appeals to “logic.” I’m going to stick with the Bible. So should you!
