There are two great misconceptions in the Christian circles that the children of God must be aware of.
The first misconception is that people look to their own works and trust in some good work. He who strives to become holy and pure and keep the Law through his own efforts, attempts an impossibility. All that man can do apart from Christ is marred by selfishness and sin. Only the grace of Jesus through faith can make us holy and happy.
The second misconception which is no less dangerous than the first is to believe that Jesus came on earth to save people from the keeping of the Law of God, and that through faith only we can become disciples of Jesus Christ, and that works are not important in any sense.
Take note however that obedience consists not only of external subjection but also of a service out of love, as the Law of God is a reflection of his nature. It is an expression of the great principle of love, and therefore it is the foundation of his government in heaven and on earth.
When our hearts are transformed to resemble God’s heart when the divine love is implanted in our hearts, shall we not put the Law of God in practice in our lives? When the principle of love is ingrained in our hearts, when man is transformed after the image of God who created him, the promise of the New Testament will be fulfilled:
“I will put my laws into their hearts, and in their minds will I write them…” Heb. 10:16.
And when the law is written in our hearts, will it not transform our lives? Subjection and obedience inspired by love are the true evidence of conversion. The Scriptures say:
“For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments…” 1 John 5:3.
Instead of freeing man from the need to obey, it is faith that makes man obedient and a partaker of the grace of Jesus. See Isaiah 48:18; Proverbs 3:1-4.
We cannot earn salvation through our obedience because salvation is a free gift of God that is acquired by faith. On the contrary, obedience is one of the fruits of faith.
“And ye know that he was manifested to take away our sins; and in him is no sin. Whosoever abideth in him sinneth not: whosoever sinneth hath not seen him, neither known him.” 1 John 3:5-6.
Here is the testing stone. If we abide in Jesus, if his love abides in us, our affections, our thoughts, our desires, plans, and actions will be in harmony with the will of God, as it is expressed in the precepts of the holy law – the Ten Commandments.
Because the Law of God is perfect and unchangeable, sinful men cannot fulfill in and of themselves the purposes of its requirements. But this is the very reason why our Savior came to earth. His mission was to bring men in agreement with the precepts of God. When we deny our sins and accept Jesus as our Savior, the Law will be exalted. Paul asks the question: “For what if some did not believe? shall their unbelief make the faith of God without effect?” Rom. 3:3.
The so-called faith in Jesus Christ that frees men from their obligation to obey God is not faith at all. Faith must be attended by works because if it has no deeds, it is dead. Jacob 2:17. This is why Paul says: “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God…” Eph. 2:8.
Before he gave his life a sacrifice for our sins, Jesus said: “I delight to do thy will, O my God: yea, thy law is within my heart.” Ps. 40:8. And to his disciples he said: “If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father’s commandments, and abide in his love.” John 15:10.
“And he that keepeth his commandments dwelleth in him, and he in him. And hereby we know that he abideth in us, by the Spirit which he hath given us.” 1 John 3:24.
If we fully surrender to Jesus and accept him as our Savior, then he will give us the strength needed to fulfill his will and receive the promise – eternal life.
“And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand.” John 10:28
What is salvation?
Salvation is to know the Lord as our personal Savior. It is not a theory or a studied philosophy. It is close communion with Jesus that leads us to trust him fully in every danger in our lives and to know him as our Helper in times of need.
But how is it possible for us to become so closely connected with our Redeemer? In the same way that we came to know our closest friend on earth.
By inviting Jesus to come into our homes, and accepting him as a true Friend, you will also see that he is a true Helper whom you can trust in your greatest difficulties in life. He says:
“If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.”
“As the Father hath loved me, so have I loved you: continue ye in my love.” John 15:7, 9.
Thousands are ready to die spiritually because of a lack of knowledge of Christ.
When we know Jesus, we have peace in our hearts, though we are surrounded by difficulties and sorrows. Knowing Christ, we have the blessings that come from the consciousness that we are living under his guidance. He who knows all our fears and weaknesses loves us with everlasting love.
“And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent.” John 17:3.