INTRO: We are preparing to look at Romans 7. In the first message we introduced our subject by looking at chapters 1-3. It is not new to us, of course, that the Bible teaches that all have sinned and come short of the glory of God. In the first messages we said that of all of mankind, by far the majority are religious. By religious I mean those who believe there is a Higher Power, some god, small g, or some gods, small g, or God capital G.
Of those who claim to believe the God of the Bible is the one true God, by far the majority base their belief that they will go to heaven on good works, just like all other religions. Of those who teach that salvation is not by works, but by grace through faith, a large number do not understand what salvation by grace through faith is, and many of those in some way base their salvation on good works.
There is no doubt that many Arminians base their salvation on good works. Many believe if they are baptized and a church member that means they are saved. This is true among both liberals and conservative. Many think if they dress a certain way they have strong evidence that they are saved.
I also believe that many Calvinists base their salvation on good works. You see, if they do not live up to their profession that means they were never saved, so they have to continue to live right. Now it is absolutely important that true Christians should live right, but that does not save anyone. |
