[Faith-talk] FW: IBGN~NEWSLETTER~ Salvation According to the Bible (Part 2)

[Eric Calhoun]

Original Message: 
From: "BishopMax" <BishopMax at charter.net>
To: undisclosed-recipients
Subject: IBGN~NEWSLETTER~ Salvation According to the Bible (Part 2)
Date: 
Mon, 5 May 2008 02:33:21 -0400 (Eastern Daylight Time)

Salvation According to the Bible

(Part 2)

 

Beware of religions that appear to be good

Warning about Satan's ministers appearing to be righteous: 2 Corinthians
11:14, 15, "And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel
of
light. Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be
transformed
as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their
works."

Beware of angels giving revelations contrary to God's Word: Another thing
I
d like to point out is that the Mormon's "revelation" came from an angel
(a
fallen angel by the name of Moroni), and in Galatians 1:8 it directly
warns
us against an angel giving us a revelation that doesn't line up with
God's
Word, "But though we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel
unto
you than that which we have preached unto you, let him be accursed."

In the end days, there will be many who fall into deceiving religions: 1
Timothy 4:1, "Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times
some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and
doctrines of devils." If you look up seducing in the Greek for that verse,
it means deceiving. Deceiving means to appear to be true, yet it's false,
or
to give a false impression. This verse is talking about religions that
appear to be right, but don't lead a person down the path to heaven. For
example, Mormonism is the kind of religion they are talking about here,
because it 'seems right' and yet it is so far off the track. I think it's
pretty clear that Satanism won't lead a person to heaven, but yet it
doesn't
look like a godly religion either. It's pretty clear that they aren't
trying
to 'appear' godly. Satan works in different ways in different religions.
The
goal of Satanism isn't to try to deceive Christians to convert, but to
directly bring Satan glory (demon worship, marrying Satan, etc.). Whereas
the goal of Mormonism is to appeal to lukewarm Christians and people who
are
looking for a "nice" religion.

Simply believing in Jesus isn't enough

Just acknowledging Jesus isn't enough: Shortly after John 3:16, it tells
us
in verse 21, "But he that doeth truth cometh to the light, that his deeds
may be made manifest, that they are wrought in God." Also, James 2:19-26
says, "Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils
also believe, and tremble. But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith
without works is dead? Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when
he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar? Seest thou how faith wrought
with his works, and by works was faith made perfect? And the scripture was
fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him
for
righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God. Ye see then how that
by
works a man is justified, and not by faith only. Likewise also was not
Rahab
the harlot justified by works, when she had received the messengers, and
had
sent them out another way? For as the body without the spirit is dead, so
faith without works is dead also." Some people claim that they are
Christian
 so that they feel they are going to heaven, but if they don't turn from
their wicked lifestyle, then they aren't living up to their professed
faith.

Salvation cannot be earned

On the other hand, we cannot earn our salvation: Eph 2:8-9, "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." But notice that in verse 10
it says, "For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good
works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them." I
believe it's telling us that we can't be 'saved' by our works, but we are
suppose to live a Godly life as a Christian. We aren't to claim we are
Christians, and then go out and continue to live in the world.