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QUESTION 141
Luke 23:34 the Lord said, "Father forgive them for they know not what they do." The question is about ignorance. Are people forgiven because of ignorance? As God, the Lord has power to forgive sins, what capacity is Jesus asking His Father to forgive these people at this time?

ANSWER:
"There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death." Proverbs 14:12. It appears man never wants to give up, or acknowledge his helplessness. If your certainty of salvation was in your loving or serving God, then this would depend on you, and not on Christ and God's Word. "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." Ephesians 2:8-9.

If loving and serving God assured your salvation, when you get to heaven you could boast because it would be no glory to God, but of yourself. You are saved when you give up trying. Only, by trusting Christ to save you, are you saved. You can know that you are saved by believing God's promises as, because they are in Christ. "For all the promises of God in him are yea, and in him Amen, unto the glory of God by us." 2 Corinthians 1:20. On the Passover night in Egypt, (Exodus 12), it was the blood applied which saved them. God had said, "...and when I see the blood I will pass over you,..." Exodus 12:13. It was this promise which made them sure of it.

Loving and serving the Lord is part of service and not salvation. Salvation is a free gift. "...but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord." Romans 6:23. Rewards are earned, they are given for services which we render to the Lord from the time.

Dear reader, what are you depending on for salvation? Your works or the work of Christ? As long as you are trying you are not trusting. Quit your puny efforts and trust in a Saviour WHO, "Wherefore he is able to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him,..." Hebrews 7:25.

All comments and questions to: Harold Smith

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Updated July 2009, by Shelly Allen