Religion is NOT a requirement for Salvation

You and I go out for a coffee. You offer to pay for my coffee. I say, "sure, you can pay for half, but I'm paying for half myself!". Would you still feel as good about your offer, as when you first made it? You tried to extend a little grace my way, but I decided I wanted some of the credit. Not to mention the lovely young lady at the counter now thinks you're a tight wad and that I'm broke!

Jesus Christ paid an enormous price for our Salvation when he died on the cross and rose on the third day. He did that for you, because he loves you. You don't deserve Salvation. I didn't. So, what makes you think that you deserve any of the credit?

We are obedient because we Love God and want to please him. We do good works as a result of our change of heart (repentance), and our Faith in Jesus. When we repent and humble ourselves, fully trusting in Jesus we are given new desires. Works is a reaction, or a result of Salvation, not means to achieving it!

In the book of James, it says that "Faith without works is dead." Good works while not required for Salvation, is evidence of being saved. While this means that everyone who is saved should be doing good works it does not mean that everyone who does good works is saved. The Bible says that any works demonstrated by the wicked are not seen by God because of the sin in the persons life.

Should you go to church? Of course! The Bible tells believers not to forsake fellowship. But do you have to to be saved? No. However you'll want to once you are saved.

Should I be baptized? If you're saved you will have been baptized by the Holy Spirit when you repented and put your Faith fully in Jesus. Baptism is a symbolic ritual that the bible says we should do. As a matter of obedience, not as a requirement for Salvation. You don't have to, but I think the bible clearly says that it pleases God to do it! Just about every new believer in the early church was baptized. Jesus himself was baptized!

Salvation is a gift, given by the Grace of God, through Jesus Christ alone. When you truly realize that, His Mercy and Goodness will overwhelm you and you will not be able to help but be grateful, obedient, and desiring to please Him with your good works!

Go Bear Fruit!

For more on Justification, Check out: Faith Alone: The Evangelical Doctrine of Justification by RC Sproul.