Q&A – WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO BE “SAVED?” - 4

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Q&A – WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO BE “SAVED?” - 4

Ephesians 2:8  For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of Elohim:

9  Not of works, lest any man should boast.

[Today is our 4^th post dealing with this question.  If you are reading this without having read the first three posts, please stop reading and go back to begin at the beginning.]

The contemporary Christian church presents “being saved” as a credential you receive immediately upon praying a prayer to accept Messiah as your “personal Lord and Savior.”  It is as if you become a card-carrying member of the “saved” club.  This concept is nowhere to be found in the Scriptures.  Even in Acts 16:30-31, when the Philippian jailer asked Paul “What must I do to be saved;” and Paul told him to “believe on the Master, Yahushua Messiah, and thou shalt be saved,” Paul was in no way suggesting to him that he would become a certified, card-carrying saved person upon the choice to “believe.”  The very next verse says:

Acts 16:32  And they spake unto him the word of the Master, and to all that were in his house.

There was no invitation to accept Messiah.  Paul did not lead the jailer and his household in a prayer for salvation; but there was an explanation of what the Scriptures reveal to be the expectations of the one who would believe on the Master. The apostles were given very clear instructions by Messiah about this very thing.

Matthew 28:19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit:

20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen.

The apostles didn’t lead people in prayer; they baptized people who chose to believe in Messiah, who understood that from that day forward they were to learn and to do all things that the Master commanded.  If they were not baptized, they were not numbered with the disciples; because that was the Master’s first command. If one was going to become a disciple, if he was going to leave his life of sin and rebellion against IAUE and His Son, he was to wash away his sins, calling upon the name of the Master.  If a person did not do the first thing commanded by Messiah, there was no point in getting to the second thing. Today, the induction rite of baptism has been replaced with a “magic prayer” that purports to accomplish all that is ever required of man before a holy and righteous Elohim.  Baptism has been reduced to something that at some point you probably should get around to doing; but many churches will put off a convert’s baptism for weeks, even months, until there are enough people who need to be baptized to warrant filling their baptistery with water.

The people in the New Testament scriptures did not have a lot of theology driving their message.  The people who responded to the gospel had no concept of being born again, or even heard of the new creation, or even of salvation in the way it is such a central theme in the church. today.

The early disciples did not respond to the gospel by “accepting Yahushua as their personal Master and Savior.”  They did not become “Christians” by praying a prayer.  The early preachers of the gospel never presented an invitation to accept Messiah or an altar call for men to come up and be saved.  Their message provoked the response, “What must we do?”  There are virtually no sermons preached today that leave the audience with the unsolicited opportunity to ask that question.  Preachers want to “close the sale” immediately, hence the “every head bowed, every eye closed; I will do nothing to embarrass you” moments to secretly raise your hand to accept Messiah, while no one is looking and can see what you are doing.

I am reminded of the story told of the well-known pastor and theologian, Charles Haddon Spurgeon.  His church elders were upset with him because after a fiery sermon on Sunday mornings, he would tell those in attendance that if they were concerned about their soul’s salvation, there would be a “seeker’s” meeting at the church on Tuesday.  The church elders wanted him to “close the sale” while the poker was hot.  Spurgeon’s response to his elders was, “If the poker is hot on Sunday morning, it will still be hot on Tuesday.”  Spurgeon understood that a genuine conversion was not concluded with a simple prayer, especially in a moment where one’s emotions could prevail over one’s reason.

No, the early disciples were not invited to accept Messiah.  He is not one to be accepted or rejected.  He is one to be obeyed or disobeyed.  The response to the gospel was presented as DOING WHAT HE SAYS (Matt 7:21-27).

It is in seminary, today, where ministers are taught how to present the “plan of salvation” and to perfect different methods of spinning the gospel to get men to respond to an invitation. There was no invitation in the book of Acts.  You either chose to take up your cross and follow Yahushua or you didn’t.

It is in seminary where men and women are taught how to dissect the Hebrew and Greek texts to support their various doctrinal persuasions; and to lead people into the denomination of their choice…making of them, pew warmers and offering plate fillers, but never making of them contagious sharers of their own experience with Yahushua and teaching them to DO all things that the Messiah had commanded us to do (including healing the sick and diseased, casting out devils, and many other wonderful works of faith in the name of Yahushua).

The New Testament epistles were written to born again, Holy Spirit filled disciples of Yahushua Messiah.  Having already chosen to redirect their entire lives from whatever it was to following and doing the dictates of Yahushua, the apostles and early teachers then provided them the insights into Scripture that allowed them to see what had been done for them by Messiah, and how it was all foretold in the Tanak.

A preoccupation with the notions of salvation and being saved came much later.  When that became the focus, men became notches in the belt of ministers.  All they had to do was get them to pray the magic prayer, accept “Jesus Christ as their personal Lord and Savior,” and they were going to go to Heaven when they died, and the minister could chalk up another convert on his spiritual holster.

If you really want to know what it means to be saved, or to have salvation, it means to discover that Yahushua really is the son of IAUE, that he did what the Scriptures foretold he would do, that he was impaled, rose from the dead, ascended to the right hand of the majesty of IAUE Elohim, was given all authority both in Heaven and in earth, and he commands us to GO and to DO what he says.  When we take up that life purpose, we begin to walk out our salvation in Messiah.  It isn’t a product that is purchased by a prayer.  It isn’t a solution to an empirical doctrinal formula.  It is the experience of walking righteously and obediently in Messiah. That is something that is impossible to do without present continuous faith in Yahushua Messiah.

Yahushua commands us to enter into the strait gate that leads us to life.  He says that many will try, but there will actually be few who will even find the strait gate.  The contemporary gospel presents the wide gate to the broad way that leads to destruction (Matthew 7:13-14).

Romans 6:1 What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound?

2 Elohim forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?

3 Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Yahushua Messiah were baptized into his death?

Here, Paul, reminds the disciples in Rome that when they were baptized (i.e., when they forsook their lives to follow and obey Yahushua Messiah which choice was evidenced not by a prayer to accept Yahushua as their Savior; but by their water baptism) they were to discontinue living in sin.  If we are saved from sin, it only makes sense that sin is dangerous to us and we should cease doing it. (My wife gave me a wonderful illustration of this.  If a person falls into deep water and is drowning, a lifeguard might jump in and “save” that person’s life.  Having been saved, however, does not mean the person might not, in the future, disregard the danger and again jump into deep water.  Will they need to be saved again, or was the first experience sufficient to preserve that person from the future consequences of jumping into deep water?)  Throughout the epistles there are warnings against continuing in or returning to sin.

2 Corinthians 5:14 For the love of Messiah constraineth us; because we thus judge, that if one died for all, then were all dead:

15 And that he died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto him which died for them, and rose again.

Here, Paul reminds the disciples in Corinth that Messiah died for us so that we would live for him…do what he commands us to do, and cease living our lives for ourselves. 

James says to know to do good but you don’t do it, that is sin.

John says that he that does not love, does not know Elohim.

Even our opening verses are taken out of context.  Before Paul tells the Ephesians:

Ephesians 2:8  For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of Elohim:

9  Not of works, lest any man should boast.

He says this:

Ephesians 2:1  And you hath he quickened, who were dead in trespasses and sins;

2 Wherein in time past ye walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now worketh in the children of disobedience:

3 Among whom also we all had our conversation in times past in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind; and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others.

4 But Elohim, who is rich in mercy, for his great love wherewith he loved us,

5 Even when we were dead in sins, hath quickened us together with Messiah, (by grace ye are saved;)

6 And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Messiah Yahushua.

7 That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Messiah Yahushua.

Paul is describing a rescue from a life of sin; a deliverance from a life of bondage to the wicked spiritual personalities that energize this world’s systems; and the tender mercies of our Creator who sacrificed His own Son that we might be made alive again, free from sin, free from bondage to the world. Is one saved who still walks in the realm of danger and bondage?  Was praying a prayer enough to be saved; or does the Scripture show salvation as finding and entering a strait gate, walking down a narrow path, and receiving a reward of life at the end of the path?

Next week, we will develop this lengthy answer to its conclusion.

Q&A – WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO BE “SAVED?” - 3

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Q&A – WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO BE “SAVED?” - 3

Exodus 2:16 Now the priest of Midian had seven daughters: and they came and drew water, and filled the troughs to water their father's flock.

17 And the shepherds came and drove them away: but Moses stood up and helped them, and watered their flock.

Today, in our third post answering the question, “What does it mean to be saved?” it is time, finally, to look at the words “saved” and “salvation” in the Hebrew and Greek manuscripts.

Our opening passage of Scripture in Exodus sets forth the scene where Moses, having fled from Egypt after slaying an Egyptian in defense of his Hebrew brethren, is sitting at a well in Midian and sees shepherds preventing the daughters of the local priest from drawing water. Moses stands up and intervenes on their behalf.  The KJV says he “helped” them.  Other translations say he “came to their rescue,” “delivered” them, “rescued” them, and “saved” them. 

This word “helped” in Hebrew is “yasha.”  It is used 205 times in the Old Testament and is most often translated “saved,” but it is also translated “savior,” “preserved,” “salvation,” “avenging,” “safe,” “defend,” “helped,” and “victory.”  This reference in Exodus 2:17, is the first time this word is used in the Scripture.  In it we see the daughters of the priest being oppressed, possibly attacked, and Moses came to their aid, defended them against the shepherds, rescued them from their oppressors, and freed them to be able to complete their original task.  Moses also took it upon himself to complete that task for them.  These daughters were “saved” by Moses.  Life for these maidens went on as usual, but they no longer needed to fear the shepherds keeping them from doing what they needed to do.

This is the Scriptures first presentation of what it means to be saved.  It was being delivered from their enemies who were keeping them from doing what needed to be done. The overwhelming majority of times this word is used in the Old Testament, it is in direct relation to being rescued or delivered from enemies.  An interesting fact to note about this word, “yasha” is that it literally means “to have ample room.”  In other words, there is room to maneuver, space that is free from obstacle or oppression.  In the Hebrew mind, it represents a place of safety and security; whereas a “narrow space” represents danger and distress, because it is insufficient room to be safe and protected.  Thus, to be saved is to have ample space free of all signs of danger and distress.  In the natural world, this makes a lot of sense.  Who hasn’t been in places that were constricted that made you fear and feel uncertain about your safety because you couldn’t see above or below or around a corner, or at the end; where being in a broad place your field of vision was able to clear all signs of danger?

The word for salvation, in the Hebrew, is derived from this word, “yasha.”  It is “yeshuwah,” and should come as no surprise that its meaning is the noun form of the verb that is its root.  It means “deliverance.”  It is also the “noun-become-name” of the son of IAUE revealed over and over again throughout the Tanak, the Old Testament Scriptures.  Most of the times it is found in the Old Testament it has reference to being saved/delivered from enemies; but it is often associated with the desire to do the law and commandments of IAUE …having been delivered from the oppression that prevented doing that.

Psalm 119:166  IAUE, I have hoped for thy salvation, and done thy commandments.

Psalm 119:155  Salvation is far from the wicked: for they seek not thy statutes.

Psalm 119:174 I have longed for thy salvation, O IAUE; and thy law is my delight.

Salvation for the Hebrew was synonymous with the Messiah; though they clearly did not understand that it was also to be his name.

Ezekiel 62:11 Behold, IAUE hath proclaimed unto the end of the world, Say ye to the daughter of Zion, Behold, thy salvation (thy Yeshuwah) cometh; behold, his reward is with him, and his work before him.

Zechariah 9:9  Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion; shout, O daughter of Jerusalem: behold, thy King cometh unto thee: he is just, and having salvation (Yeshuwah); lowly, and riding upon an ass, and upon a colt the foal of an ass.

Luke 2:25  And, behold, there was a man in Jerusalem, whose name was Simeon; and the same man was just and devout, waiting for the consolation of Israel: and the Holy Spirit was upon him.

26 And it was revealed unto him by the Holy Spirit, that he should not see death, before he had seen IAUE’s Messiah.

27 And he came by the Spirit into the temple: and when the parents brought in the child Yahushua, to do for him after the custom of the law,

28 Then took he him up in his arms, and blessed Elohim, and said,

29 Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace, according to thy word:

30 For mine eyes have seen thy salvation,  (Literally: mine eyes have seen thy Yeshuwah/Yahushua.)

31 Which thou hast prepared before the face of all people;

32 A light to lighten the Gentiles, and the glory of thy people Israel.

Acts 4:10 Be it known unto you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Yahushua (salvation) Messiah of Nazareth, whom ye crucified, whom Elohim raised from the dead, even by him doth this man stand here before you whole.

11 This is the stone which was set at nought of you builders, which is become the head of the corner.

12 Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.

Another inescapable connection with salvation is righteousness.  The purpose of salvation is to free one from that which has prevented walking in righteousness. The most insidious enemy of righteousness is sin…the nature of the flesh.  As explained in last week’s post, we become aware of salvation through the forgiveness of sins; but in Messiah, we are also delivered (saved) from the power of sin.  Righteousness is the fruit of salvation.  As James so simply declared, “Faith without works (i.e., works of righteousness) is dead.” (James 2:17,20)  An upright life is the proof of salvation.  It demonstrates the presence of salvation.

Psalm 98:2  IAUE hath made known his salvation: his righteousness hath he openly shewed in the sight of the heathen.

Psalm 119:123  Mine eyes fail for thy salvation, and for the word of thy righteousness.

Isaiah 51:6  Lift up your eyes to the heavens, and look upon the earth beneath: for the heavens shall vanish away like smoke, and the earth shall wax old like a garment, and they that dwell therein shall die in like manner: but my salvation shall be for ever, and my righteousness shall not be abolished.

Isaiah 61:10  I will greatly rejoice in IAUE, my soul shall be joyful in my Elohim; for he hath clothed me with the garments of salvation, he hath covered me with the robe of righteousness, as a bridegroom decketh himself with ornaments, and as a bride adorneth herself with her jewels.

Romans 10:10  For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.

In the New Testament, the word for “saved” is “sozo” (pronounced, “sode-zo”).  It means “to keep safe,” “rescued from danger,” “to be delivered.”

“Salvation” is translated from the Greek, “soteria.”  It means “deliverance.”

There is a very consistent understanding held throughout both Old and New Testament Scriptures that to be saved, or to experience salvation (the verb and the noun) relates almost exclusively to the idea of being set free from enemies of one kind or another, such that we would look at it as a deliverance or rescue.  The contemporary Christian church, however, has decided to give salvation a new “religious” meaning that is nowhere to be endorsed by Scripture; and that is “going to Heaven when you die and living eternally with Yahushua.”  Such a definition fails to recognize the very purpose of our deliverance, the very objective of our Savior; and that is to free us unto lives of righteousness.  This "Christian" definition actually relieves the believer of all responsibility for a righteous life as well as the consequences of a sinful and selfish life.  Nowhere in the Scripture does it say we are going to “go to Heaven” when we die.  We are not destined for Heaven.  We are destined for the “new earth.”  THIS is our home; not Heaven.  In fact, what we understand to be Heaven is going to descend to the earth and abide with us.

Yahushua is referred to as the “last Adam” (1 Corinthinas 15:45).  Through the first Adam, sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and unrighteousness became the very nature of man.  Through the last Adam, sin is defeated and the unrighteous nature of man is replaced with a new born spirit clothed with the righteousness of Messiah.

In the very first sermon preached in the “church age,” Peter, on the day of Pentecost mentions salvation twice.  The first time he quotes the prophet Joel to explain the outpouring of the Holy Spirit as manifested through the 120 disciples declaring the wondrous acts of IAUE in the tongues of all the nations present.  When he uses the word in his message to those gathered he says:

Acts 2:40  And with many other words did he testify and exhort, saying, Save yourselves from this untoward generation.

In other words, Peter is describing the self-centered , lawless social order of his day as a form of bondage that is responsible for holding the Hebrews back from obeying the voice of IAUE and doing His commandments.  It is contrasted with the life of righteousness unto which they knew as the covenant people of IAUE, they were called.  This was the nature of the salvation that the Messiah died and rose again to bring.  It was deliverance from bondage to sin…a rescue from a life lived in the grasp of unrighteousness.

Q&A – WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO BE “SAVED?” - 2

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Q&A – WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO BE “SAVED?” - 2

Revelation 22:14 Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city.

15 For without are dogs, and sorcerers, and whoremongers, and murderers, and idolaters, and whosoever loveth and maketh a lie.

In our last post, we discussed the problem of the western man’s empirical mindset.  It actually is a worldwide mindset within the church because western man has been responsible for most of the world’s evangelism; so the empirical mindset has been exported throughout the Christian world.

There is another problem with the last 2,000 years of evangelism; and that is, the gospel has been hijacked by Gentiles who have separated its message from its Hebrew roots.  What passes for the gospel, today, bears little resemblance to the promise within the Old Testament scriptures.  Today’s gospel message is a story of a free gift with zero responsibilities and zero consequences.  It is an empirical conclusion derived from praying a “magic prayer,” and, voila, you go to Heaven when you die.

The gospel understood by the Hebrew mentality was a promise of a kingdom ruled by the son of Elohim wherein righteousness, peace and joy prevailed.

Romans 14:17 For the kingdom of Elohim is not meat and drink; but righteousness, and peace, and joy in the Holy Spirit.

18 For he that in these things serveth Messiah is acceptable to Elohim, and approved of men.

IAUE separated unto Himself a people who would hear His voice and keep His commandments. Time and time again, he expressed to them that obedience was better than sacrifice.  His laws made of the Hebrews a peculiar people who were not like the rest of the people on earth. They had a moral code that produced an ethical life of character and integrity; and most of all a constant consideration of the will of IAUE.  When they rebelled against the commandment of IAUE was when they ceased to be different from the world.  Love of the world was considered adultery against IAUE; and repeatedly, they were accused of being unfaithful to Him.  This concept was not lost in the New Testament.

James 4:4 Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with Elohim? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of IAUE.

Let’s just consider for a moment this issue of an empirical mindset.  Contemporary Christianity would tell you that “you must be born again,” to see the Kingdom of Heaven.  So, when you are born again…you are saved; thus, once born again, you can’t be unborn again.  Conclusion?  Once “saved,” always “saved.”  So, when you take that empirically-derived doctrine into James 4:4, this verse must either apply to the world or we just ignore it altogether…or more stupidly, you can be the enemy of IAUE and still be included in His Kingdom. I suppose you could also be like those who fought to keep the book of James out of the cannon of Scripture altogether.

Romans 8:1 There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Messiah Yahushua, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.

2 For the law of the Spirit of life in Messiah Yahushua hath made me free from the law of sin and death.

3 For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, IAUE sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh:

4 That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.

5 For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit.

6 For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.

7 Because the carnal mind is enmity against IAUE: for it is not subject to the law of IAUE, neither indeed can be.

8 So then they that are in the flesh cannot please IAUE.

The western mind reads verse 1, and gets excited that we are no longer condemned; but ignores the condition.  We must walk after the Spirit and not after the flesh.

The western mind reads verse 2, and appreciates that we are free from the law of sin and death; but fails to recognize that it is the LAW of the Spirit of life in Messiah Yahushua that frees us.  We aren’t just free.  We are freed by being placed under a different law, one that displaces the first law.

The western mind reads verse 4, and makes little of the fact that the righteousness of the law is fulfilled in us IF we are walking after the Spirit.  Why does that work?  Verse 5 tells us that walking after the Spirit is a lifestyle that does not entertain the flesh at all.  Verses 6 and 7 tell us that the mind set on the flesh is death and is at war with IAUE.  Verse 8 tells us that the flesh is incapable of pleasing IAUE; and yet, contemporary Christianity is content to ignore all of this because A + B = C.  They prayed the magic prayer and they are going to Heaven when the die; so absolutely nothing else matters.  The only problem with that is…it isn’t the gospel.  IAUE sent His son in order to overcome the impasse to obedience in man. 

The contemporary Christian absolves himself/herself of any and all responsibility for obedience to the will of IAUE because of the empirical salvation they think they possess.  It is all academic to the contemporary believer. There is no “rubber meets the road” element or “the proof is in the pudding,” characteristic, or “put up, or shut up” in today’s gospel.

There is only one passage of Scripture in the New Testament where salvation is defined.

Luke 1:67 And his father Zacharias was filled with the Holy Spirit, and prophesied, saying,

68 Blessed be the IAUE Elohim of Israel; for he hath visited and redeemed his people,

69 And hath raised up an horn of salvation for us in the house of his servant David;

70 As he spake by the mouth of his holy prophets, which have been since the world began:

71 That we should be saved from our enemies, and from the hand of all that hate us;

72 To perform the mercy promised to our fathers, and to remember his holy covenant;

73 The oath which he sware to our father Abraham,

74 That he would grant unto us, that we being delivered out of the hand of our enemies might serve him without fear,

75 In holiness and righteousness before him, all the days of our life.

76 And thou, child, shalt be called the prophet of the Highest: for thou shalt go before the face of the Master to prepare his ways;

77 To give knowledge of salvation unto his people by the remission of their sins,

78 Through the tender mercy of our Elohim; whereby the dayspring from on high hath visited us,

79 To give light to them that sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace.

This is not just the Scripture, it is a recorded prophecy.  This is not simply the words of a man being inspired to record history or doctrine; but an actual recording of the very words being spoken through Zacharias by the Holy Spirit, Himself.  Let’s take a closer look at it, especially the parts I have underlined.

Verses 68 and 69 tell us that IAUE has redeemed His people and has raised up an “horn of salvation.”  A “horn” in the Scripture used in this context refers to a “kingdom.”  It is a realm under the jurisdiction of a king.  This realm is salvation.  Verse 70 tells us this is what was promised to the patriarchs and to Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.  This was the oath that held the Hebrew people together looking for the coming of the Messiah from their very beginning as a people.  It was why the northern kingdom of Israel, the ten tribes of Israel that rejected the promise and set up their kingdom around golden calf worship, was divorced from/by IAUE.

But what was this promise?  It was that the Messiah would come and set up a kingdom that absolutely and utterly would deliver them forever out of the hands of their enemies so they, completely devoid of any fear of the reprisal of their enemies, would be able to serve IAUE in holiness and righteousness forever.

Then Zacharias prophesies something very interesting about his son, John.  He said that he would prepare the way of the Messiah who would “give knowledge” of salvation through the “remission of sins.”  Most Christians think that forgiveness of sins IS salvation.  It isn’t.  In fact it only gives one the knowledge, the awareness of salvation.  Paul tells us in 2 Corinthians 5:19-21, that it is our duty to tell others that they are already forgiven; that IAUE has already done what is necessary through the death and resurrection of His son, to restore them unto Himself.  If they don’t know they are forgiven, they won’t be aware of the salvation that has been made available to them.  That salvation is the freedom from all that has prevented them from being able to serve IAUE, combined with the power to do just that in holiness and righteousness.

We are forgiven that we might serve.  We receive the Holy Spirit that we might serve him faithfully with power. Salvation is not an academic or empirical fact.  It is something that can only be demonstrated by the outworking of the power of the Holy Spirit enabling us to refuse the flesh and to walk in the law of IAUE as directed to us by His Spirit.

James 2:14 What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him?

15 If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food,

16 And one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit?

17 Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.

18 Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works.

19 Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble.

20 But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?

James clearly and indisputably declares that a “magic prayer” versus a lifetime of obedience to the will of IAUE will not produce the same results.  If faith in Yahushua as the Messiah exists, it will be evidenced by a life no longer lived according to the flesh…period.  That is the litmus test; and it is easily assessed in one’s own heart.  Are we one who believes the facts of Scripture and have claimed its “heavenly reward,” by mental assent; or have we lost our life to the gospel of Messiah and live for Him by following after the leading of the Holy Spirit with ready obedience to His every whisper?  If faith exists, it will produce the latter.

In the judgment, we are not going to be judged based on having prayed a “magic prayer” of “accepting Jesus Christ as our personal Lord and Savior.”

2 Corinthians 5:10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Messiah; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.

11 Knowing therefore the terror of the Master, we persuade men; but we are made manifest unto Elohim; and I trust also are made manifest in your consciences.

14 For the love of Messiah constraineth us; because we thus judge, that if one died for all, then were all dead:

15 And that he died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto him which died for them, and rose again.

It is a purely Gentile concept, divorced from the Hebrew Scriptures, that salvation is an eternity in Heaven with IAUE produced by the forgiveness of sins.  The forgiveness of sins only introduces us to the reality that IAUE has made it possible for us to walk in the Spirit and not in the flesh.  Man does not see that as a reward, but rather as a discipline. 

IAUE understands man better than man does.  He knows that true freedom and liberty for man is freedom from sinning; not just freedom from the guilt of sin.  THAT is the salvation that Yahushua paid to obtain through his shedding of blood, death and resurrection.  It is the freedom that produces a holy and righteous lifestyle; not in a future eternity; but right now.

We see in the close of the age, in the last chapter of the book of Revelation:

Revelation 22:14 Blessed are they that do his commandments, that they may have right to the tree of life, and may enter in through the gates into the city.

15 For without are dogs, and sorcerers, and whoremongers, and murderers, and idolaters, and whosoever loveth and maketh a lie.

Who will have the right to enter into city and to have access to the tree of life?  Those that do his commandents.  It does not say, “those who are born again,” or “those who were faithful members of their church,” or “those who prayed to accept Messiah.”  The ultimate manifestation of salvation…the eternal reward, is reserved for the obedient…for the ones who understood that IAUE sacrificed His son to change our lives, not just to give us some sort of free gift we can pocket now and take advantage of later.

Who do not have the right to the city and to the tree of life?  The dogs, sorcerers, whoremongers (fornicators and the sexually impure), murderers, idolaters and liars.

The difference is between what one does and does not do.

Matthew 13:41 The Son of man shall send forth his angels, and they shall gather out of his kingdom all things that offend, and them which do iniquity;

42 And shall cast them into a furnace of fire: there shall be wailing and gnashing of teeth.

43 Then shall the righteous shine forth as the sun in the kingdom of their Father. Who hath ears to hear, let him hear.