What Are You “Really” Saying?!

If you think that salvation can be lost or forfeited:

Misplaced Faith

Then you also think it’s your job and responsibility to keep yourself saved. You think the success of your salvation is ultimately in your hands. This means you’re depending on yourself to finish your salvation instead of putting your confidence in Christ’s perfect sacrifice alone to completely save you. Sadly, your faith is in you!

Works gospel

Then you also think that it’s up to you to keep your salvation by doing your part. You’re trying to stay saved by obeying the Ten Commandments, doing good works, or by trying your best to “hang in there.” You have turned God’s free salvation of grace into a performance based trophy. Instead of trusting in Christ for your salvation, you’re working for it.

Halfway Helper

Then you also think Jesus only made your salvation a possibility. You think that Jesus started your salvation, but it’s up to you to finish it. You think that Jesus paid some and it’s up to you do the rest. Instead of believing that Jesus’ sacrifice is perfect and final, you think that it’s lacking, incomplete, and needs your finishing touch. You’ve turned Jesus into your “great helper” instead of your “Merciful Savior.”

If salvation can be lost or forfeited, then it’s your job to keep yourself saved by doing your best to hang in there and to do your part. But Jesus didn’t die to help you save yourself. His sacrifice isn’t insufficient, lacking, or needing you in any way. Jesus paid it all. He paid the full penalty and price for all your sins (Colossians 2:13-14). He completely and forever saved you once and for all time with one sacrifice (Hebrews 7:25; 10:10). Your salvation can never be lost and it will never be taken away (John 10:27-29). Jesus promised us eternal life (1^stJohn 2:25). The Ten Commandments and your good works have nothing to do with your salvation (Galatians 2:16). We are helpless in salvation (Romans 5:6). That’s the whole point. Jesus doesn’t save the deserving, willing, and able; He mercifully saves the undeserving, unwilling, and helpless (Romans 9:16). You can’t think it’s your job to keep your salvation and then call it “faith” (Romans 4:4-5; 11:6). We don’t do good works to get or keep our salvation; we obey God because we already have salvation. Obedience is the only way helpless, Hell deserving people can worship and appreciate God for freely and eternally saving them (Rom 12:1). You’re saved by trusting in Jesus as your Lord, God and Savior (Romans 10:9). Hate sin, give your allegiance to Christ, and put your full faith and confidence in Him alone for salvation. Jesus paid it all; nothing else needs to be done (Romans 3:22-24). It’s not teamwork; it’s His-work. If you think that salvation can be lost, then what are you saying about Jesus and His sacrifice; and what “gospel” do you believe in? Is your confidence truly in Christ, or are you trying to finish your own salvation? Did Jesus save you, or is He just helping you? If you think the success of your salvation is in your hands, have faith, give it to Christ, and rest your soul (Matt 11:28; 2 Tim 1:12).

“Are you so foolish? You began with the Holy Spirit. Are you now trying to

complete God's work in you by your own strength?” (Galatians 3:3)