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QUESTION 163
If I live a good clean respectable life will I not surely be saved?

ANSWER:
This is the common belief of humanity, but it is wrong.

"There is a way that SEEMETH right unto a man, but the end thereof is the way of death." Proverbs 14:12. To the natural mind this seems right, but it is not. There are two major problems with this thinking. First, it is to make salvation something we merit or earn. It obligates God. He then owes it to us. Salvation on the other hand is by grace (God's undeserved favor), Ephesians 2:8-9. Secondly, when God looks at this kind of person He sees their past sins. "and God requireth that which is past." Ecclesiastes 3:15. God does not look at you, as you presently are; He sees your life from the cradle to the grave. We are without strength to save ourselves, (Romans 5:6). It could not be by works, if so, then man could boast. "Not by works lest any man should boast." Ephesians 2:9. Quitting all your sins is very good; it will make you a better person in society, but it will not take away one past sin you have committed. These sins must be taken away before you can be saved. Only the blood of Christ can cleanse you from sin. (1 John 1:7). People who live good lives, depending on that to save them, will never make it; their judgment in eternity will be less. Mankind shall be judged according to their works, (Revelation 20:11).

Are you depending on yourself or Christ for salvation? He alone can save. This is why He is called, "Saviour." (Luke 2:11).

Dear reader, salvation is trusting in Christ from beginning to the end. He made the provision at the cross and He does the work in you when you trust Him. Have you trusted Him? If not, why not? You have everything to gain and nothing to lose. Do it and you will be glad that you did.

All comments and questions to: Harold Smith

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Updated July 2009, by Shelly Allen