Scriptural Warning!

If we attempt to take even the smallest amount of credit for our salvation by saying that we contributed to it in any way, then according to the Bible we have a different gospel, a different Jesus and a different salvation plan than that of the Bible. Just as the Judaizers deceived the Galatians by teaching that they had to do some work (ie. be circumcised) in order to become saved, so those who believe we must do the slightest work at all to secure or help secure our salvation (ie. we must make a free-will decision for Christ; believe our faith is an instrument through which we become saved; require baptism in water as a condition for salvation) are following the same “grace plus works” gospel -- “which is not another [gospel]: but there be some that trouble you, and would pervert the gospel of Christ” (Galatians 1:6-7). Salvation is only of God.

Very briefly, we see this warning carried out in the Old Testament where a man picked up a few sticks on the sabbath day and was stoned to death for doing so. The Old Testament sabbath day was a picture of the complete rest we have in Christ for our salvation. God had worked six days in creating the heavens and earth and rested on the seventh day, illustrating that He has done all the work required and then we rest completely in Him. Thus, the Old Testament Israelites were to observe the sabbath day in a figure by resting, by not doing any type of labor. God Himself says that this was a sign pointing to the fact that He sanctifies us, and the Israelite who did not observe this was to be put to death:

Speak thou also unto the children of Israel, saying, Verily my sabbaths you* shall keep: for it [is] a sign between me and you throughout your generations; that [you*] may know that I [am] Jehovah that does sanctify you. You* shall keep the sabbath therefore; for it [is] holy unto you: every one that defiles it shall surely be put to death: for whosoever does [any] work therein, that soul shall be cut off from among his people. Six days may work be done; but in the seventh [is] the sabbath of rest, holy to Jehovah: whosoever does [any] work in the sabbath day, he shall surely be put to death. Wherefore the children of Israel shall keep the sabbath, to observe the sabbath throughout their generations, [for] a perpetual covenant. It [is] a sign between me and the children of Israel forever: for [in] six days Jehovah made heaven and earth, and on the seventh day he rested, and was refreshed. Exodus 31:13-17

In Hebrews 4, God again equates the seventh-day sabbath of the Old Testament with the rest we have in Christ alone for salvation:

For he spoke in a certain place of the seventh [day] on this wise, And God did rest the seventh day from all his works. And in this [place] again, If they shall enter into my rest. Seeing therefore it remains that some must enter therein, and they to whom it was first preached entered not in because of unbelief: Again, he limits a certain day, saying in David, To day, after so long a time; as it is said, To day if you* will hear his voice, harden not your hearts. For if Jesus had given them rest, then would he not afterward have spoken of another day. There remains therefore a rest to the people of God. For he that is entered into his rest, he also has ceased from his own works, as God [did] from his. Hebrews 4:4-10

So, in the passage that follows, we see the man picking up a few sticks on the sabbath day was stoned to death:

And while the children of Israel were in the wilderness, they found a man that gathered sticks upon the sabbath day. And they that found him gathering sticks brought him unto Moses and Aaron, and unto all the congregation. And they put him in ward, because it was not declared what should be done to him. And Jehovah said unto Moses, The man shall be surely put to death: all the congregation shall stone him with stones outside the camp. And all the congregation brought him outside the camp, and stoned him with stones, and he died; as Jehovah commanded Moses. Numbers 15:32-36

This is a picture of those who attempt to take the slightest, smallest amount of credit for their salvation instead of resting completely in Christ alone for salvation. No matter how small the attempt -- they shall perish forevermore, they do not truly believe that "Jesus Saves" according to the Biblical teaching. If God has elected and saved us, we will give God all of the glory and credit for our salvation, 100%! We will harmonize the Scriptures and see that it is all of God, it is "not of him that wills, nor of him that runs, but of God that shows mercy." The reason why it might appear to our natural minds that had anything to do with it is because God does cause us to respond and cry out to Him for salvation. But even there, He receives the credit for drawing us to Himself and giving us the will, the desire, the ability -- the newborn spiritual life -- to respond even as Lazarus responded when Christ gave him life to come out of his tomb.

This teaching is highly offensive to many because, by nature, we do not want to face the fact that we are so totally helpless and sinful that only God alone can change our situation. It rubs completely against our sinful desire for self-respect and against our shallow understanding of the nature of sin. Only God can open our spiritual eyes and ears through the hearing of the Gospel and give us the spiritual understanding to see our sinful condition. Only then can we see that we are on our way to eternal destruction so that we will begin to cry out to Him, pleading for His mercy and grace:

And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift us so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner. [Luke 18:13]


Is God Fair?

The question may be raised, "Is God fair to save some and to leave the rest to suffer eternal destruction for their sins?" Consider the following:

1. Through the fall of Adam and Eve, the entire human race has come under the wrath of God and deserves eternal death. Since we all deserve to die, God is not obligated to save even one of us. Had He chosen not to save anyone or only to save one person that would have been just because He could have rightfully cast each one of us into the lake of fire. So thanks be to God that He would not destroy everyone as we deserve, but rather has planned to save a multitude which no man can number!

2. Had God left it up to our will, then no one would ever become saved because no one would ever seek after Him. Instead, we would always choose to go in the way that leads to damnation. Even in a sinless state, Adam and Eve chose that path. Much more do we who are in bondage to sin. Without God, we would be in the same predicament as the devils. God did not choose to save any of them so they will continue in their wickedness and come into everlasting destruction. Thanks be to God for intervening in saving some people because otherwise no one would ever become saved!

3. In His love, Christ freely took upon Himself the horrible penalty of eternal death that is due for the sins of His people. That is, He graciously paid for sins on behalf of pitiable, hateful sinners who deserve eternal death that they might be redeemed unto eternal life. Since He has made such a sacrifice, and that for sinful, undeserving people, He may indeed save whomever He chooses. Can we, who deserve God's wrath, demand of the Sovereign King and Judge Himself that He should have suffered death on our behalf just because He willingly died for other sinners? Or will one who is sentenced to death forevermore be able to say that Christ never had to suffer such a punishment, so it's not fair that he must suffer so? Indeed not! Thus, salvation is entirely God's prerogative. The grace of God is eternally marvelous that He would save any of us. That is true salvation and grace!

If we dispute this, Romans 9:18-20 rightfully warns:

Therefore he has mercy on whom he will have mercy, and whom he will he hardens. Thou wilt say then unto me, Why doth he yet find fault? For who has resisted his will? No but, O man, who art thou that repliest against God? Shall the thing formed say to him that formed it, Why hast thou made me thus?

And again Isaiah 27:11 declares:

...therefore he that made them will not have mercy on them, and he that formed them will shew them no favor.


What About You?

Salvation by God's sovereign election is what the true believers have held throughout the generations. But in our day the professing church has fallen away from Truth in favor of man-centered religion. It has become corrupt as it favors the will and choice of men, or their faith as a means unto salvation. Many want a gospel that gives men the final say. They want to have sovereignty themselves rather than placing their trust in God alone for salvation. But true salvation is by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone:

Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith... [Hebrews 12:2]

For by grace are you* saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God... [Ephesians 2:8]

I will greatly rejoice in the LORD, my soul shall be joyful in my God; for he has clothed me with the garments of salvation, he has covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decks himself with ornaments, and as a bride adorns herself with her jewels. [Isaiah 61:10]

Salvation is of the LORD. [Jonah 2:9]

Salvation belongs unto the LORD: thy blessing is upon thy people. Selah [Psalm 3:8]

And he [Jesus] goes up into a mountain, and calls unto him whom he would: and they came unto him.

So what about you? Are you trusting in Christ alone as your only Savior?

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