I wrote this in 2005 after I joined the LDS church. It was written sometime in May so the exact date of blog may be off.
What Salvation by Grace really means
First of all I want to say yes we are Christians. The term Christians simply means belief in Christ. Jesus Christ is the foundation of the Church. As a former Baptist minister I will be the first to say the doctrine of grace that many churches believe in is fallible, is not correct. I'm not saying they are wrong just half right. Let me explain. This is from a talk I gave in the LDS church:
The churches of today are greatly blinded, I myself was blind but now I see. Churches of today, many of them, believe in salvation by grace and not of works. Churches pick a belief that fits their lifestyle. If churches really preached the full word of God then they would understand there is more to just grace. Yes by grace we are able to enter the kingdom of God but we must also do works. For we are sinners, the Bible says we fall from grace every time we sin willfully and we are damned (Hebrews). Also in first Corinthians the Bible says if you do certain things you can not enter the kingdom of God. People rely on Salvation by grace to cover any sin past, present, and future so they can sin if they want and say its okay we are saved by grace. The Bible in numerous places talk on how we are suppose to do works that we may enter the celestial kingdom (yes the celestial kingdom is talk about in the bible.) Grace is the open door and pathway to heaven through Christ’s blood.
We fall from grace every time we sin and certain sins will not let us enter the kingdom if kept being done. If a man accepts Christ as his Savior and then goes and commits murder is he still under grace. No, therefore it is not grace that allows us into heaven but by serving God.
I praise Heavenly Father I was blind and now I see, for I have been shown the truth of salvation. Grace is the forgiveness of our sins through the atonement of Christ. Every person born has grace in the sense that Christ died for us all, however grace alone will not save us but through faith in Christ and by serving His kingdom and doing good deeds for the glorification of Heavenly Father may we obtain the kingdom. Salvation is the understanding that Christ will be our rock and fortress in the time of need and protection. And also salvation is God providing for our needs that we may not go without. Salvation does not get you back into Heaven. Serving and trusting in Heavenly Father is what allows us to return home.
Grace is the blood that was shed by Christ, who willing left Glory to come to earth to suffer and die for our sins (to become sin), sealing a covenant between Himself and Heavenly Father opening the door and pathway that we may once again enter the kingdom of Heaven if we are deemed worthy. Short definition- grace is the forgiveness of our sins.
Works must be done for the kingdom and we will be rewarded for our deeds. However we need not confuse good works for the kingdom of God with works that are done to glorify ourselves. For works must have a purpose one which honoreth God, because only through Jesus Christ may we reenter into heaven.
Through Faith in Christ may we only then come to know His promises. To enter the kingdom of Heaven you must:
1) Trust in Jesus Christ and believe the Word of God
2) Believe that Jesus paid the price for our sins by His blood (grace)
3) You must serve the kingdom (works)
4) Daily repent from your sins
5) Refrain from sinning intentionally
Only the blood can wash away sin and make one whole. However it is by serving God that we may enter the kingdom of Heaven for we are stewards of God here on earth to see if we can be trusted with the great things of Heaven.
Until we pass from this life sin reigns in us. Heavenly Father will raise us up free from sin, but by that time we need to have served Christ prior to death and believe on Him- ref. Romans 6
Bible talks of those who will call upon the Lord shall be saved. Basically what it is saying is when we believe in Christ he will protect us in times of trouble. If you trust in Him he will deliver you. However the devil believes in Christ and trembles. It is not enough to believe but you must serve the kingdom of God. You must trust in Heavenly Father’s promises. You have to be obedient to the will of God.
Our works are just important as our faith. We will be judged by our fruitfulness and unfruitfulness whether they glorify and honour God or that they go against Him.
Why should Heavenly Father reward us when we do not repent? Old saying actions speak louder then words. Our actions (works) help to show that we are sincere when we repent. If we continue to sin willfully then how can we say we are sincere in our walk with God?
Again, salvation comes through the intercession of Christ. Salvation gives protection to those who believe in God and Jesus that we may be cared for here on earth. We will be protected from our enemies. And through the atonement receive a probationary passport that only opens the door to Heaven for us, however to enter we must be accepted in. Our deeds, is the condition into heaven. How are we going to serve God in Heaven if we can not serve him here on earth?
There is nothing that says you will be forgiven for all sins past, present, and future. You need to constantly come to Him asking for forgiveness. Because you will still fall from grace if you sin willfully and will be damned. Only in heaven will your sins be remembered no more.
The grace of Christ, is that he was willing as a perfect being came from glory to suffer and die upon the cross for our sins. That’s why we remember the atonement in our baptism covenants and renew these covenants professing our sins before we partake of the sacrament. Grace without works is dead.
The shedding of Christ blood was nothing more than the sealing of a covenant between Him and Heavenly Father saying, “I died for them, that through me they may rejoin us here in Glory. His resurrection was the true feat which marked that we too when we die will be able to be raise from the dead to glory.
© May05 by Katerina du Lac All rights reserved. Can not be used in any form or reproduced without permission from the author.
