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QUESTION 182
Last week’s question was about conflicting views about salvation. If I live a better life, will I not be saved?

ANSWER:
The Bible says, “There is a way that seemeth right unto a man but the end thereof are the ways of death” Proverbs 14:12. There is no doubt that the way “that seems right” to be saved is living a better life. This brings the person to believe that God is more pleased with them and they will finally be accepted by Him. As the Proverbs quote puts it, “...this is the way of death”. It is hard for fallen men to admit that they are helpless to save themselves, and yet this is what the Bible teaches.

Romans 5:6, “When we were yet without strength Christ died for the ungodly”. This verse clearly teaches we are “helpless” to save ourselves.

Proverba 20:9, "Who can say, I have made my heart clean, I am pure from my sin?”

Jeremiah 13:23, “Can the Ethiopian change his skin, or the leopard his spots? Then ye also may do good, that are accustomed to do evil.”

The Bible distinctly says, “it is not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy we are saved. Titus 3:5. In Ephesians 2:8-9 we read, “For by grace are ye saved, through faith, and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God. Not of works lest any man should boast”. All the good works you could ever do would not cancel even one of your past sins. Sin will keep a person out of heaven.

Revelation 21:27 makes it clear “that nothing that defileth heaven will enter”. You cannot take away one of your sins. Quitting them is good, but it does not remove those you have already committed. Only the blood of Christ can take away sin. In Hebrews 9:22 we read, “Without the shedding of blood, there is no remission” (forgiveness). Romans 3:25 makes it clear that it is “faith in that blood that saved”. Salvation is not by works; but it works in us. It is not reformation but transformation that saves. Reformation is what man does; transforming is the work of God in a person that trusts Christ and His atoning blood. It is not your work for God that saves, but His for you. Christ has made the provision for us and when we trust Him as Saviour and Lord He does the work in us.

Have you trusted Him? If not, why not do it now?

All comments and questions to: Harold Smith

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Updated July 2009, by Shelly Allen