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QUESTION 38:
Is it true that if you don't live a Christian life after receiving Christ you will lose your salvation?

ANSWER:
This is a very popular teaching and belief among many; however, a careful examination of the question with the Bible will prove it is wrong. First, let me say, if you have it - you should live it. We have too many already who profess the name of Christ and show little or no evidence of ever having been born again. To examine the question very clearly, it teaches that salvation is dependent on oneself. If I live it - I keep it, if I do not - I lose it. In this principle the sacrificial death and blood of Christ ceases to be of value after you accept Him at the first. This is foreign to the Bible.

Salvation is by the grace of God from beginning to end. "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." Ephesians 2:8-10. The word "workmanship" literal means a "masterpiece." It is where we get our English work "poem." A poem never composes itself. It is the work of a poet. God is the Poet and every born again believer is the poem. Composed of God, "Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ," Philippians 1:6. Again, "And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish; neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand." John 10:28.

Man ever seeks to add something to the finished work of the Saviour. He provided salvation at Calvary and He will produce it in all that trust Him. Again, "Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them." Hebrews 7:25.

All comments and questions to: Harold Smith

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Updated July 2009, by Shelly Allen