• Read what D.L. Moody had to say about salvation:

"I propose tonight to take a subject, rather than a text and the subject is conversion. One reason I am led to take up this subject is because I received a large number of letters asking me, ‘How can I teach that a man be saved all at once. That salvation is instantaneous.” One of the writers goes on to say that it is clearly that conversion is a gradual thing. That is a life’s work and that it is a dangerous thing to teach that a man can come into this tabernacle a sinner and go out a saved man. Now let’s see what is taught in the Word of God. Let us see that God teaches instantaneous salvation. I hold to it as I hold to my life. I would as quickly give up my life as I would give up this doctrine."

• Read what Charles Spurgeon had to say about salvation:

"Heaven and earth may pass away, but that man shall never perish. If only one second ago I trusted the Saviour I am safe; just as safe as the man who has believed in Jesus fifty years, and who has all the while walked uprightly. I do not say that the new born convert is as happy, nor as useful, nor as holy, nor as ripe for heaven, but I do say that the words, "he that believeth on him hath everlasting life," is a truth with general bearings, and relates as much to the babe in faith as does to the man who has attained to fullness of stature in Jesus Christ."

• If we can lose our salvation, then eternal life is not eternal.
• God promises eternal life to those who believe. How long is eternal? It is forever. See John 6:47
• If we could lose our salvation, then salvation would really come by our good works.
• If there was something we were required to do to keep our salvation, then it would really be good works that is getting us to Heaven. Ephesians 2:8-9 says that salvation is “not of works”
• Either Jesus Christ paid for all of our sins, or he paid for none of them. And when he died, he paid for our sins, past, present, and future. See Acts 13:39 and Colossians 2:13
• Our salvation is kept by the power of God.
  • See 1 Peter 1:4-5 and Ephesians 1:13-14
• The example of the Corinthians Christians:
  • The Corinthians were engaging in serious sin, including getting drunk at the Lord’s table, gross immorality, and blasphemy. Paul rebuked them severely, but always referred to them as “brethren” and “the church” Clearly, while deep in sin, they were still saved.
  • The most egregious example of sinful behavior was the man in 1 Corinthians 5 who was committing adultery with his step-mother. Read 1 Corinthians 5:1-5. Notice that while Paul urged the Corinthian church to kick him out, yet noted that “his spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus.”
• What kind of Savior is Jesus?
• If you are drowning in the ocean, what do you wish for?
  • A man to jump into the water from a nearby ship and illustrate the backstroke? This would be a good example, but wouldn’t not help you in your dire situation.
  • A man to toss a helpful book, Easy Ways to Learn How to Swim? This man might be a great teacher, who could show you the way, but is this what you need?
  • How about a man who dives into the water and miraculously rescues you from the waves, hauls you aboard his ship, feeds you a nourishing meal, and then dumps you back in the water, because you offended him? Would he be a Savior? No.
  • What kind of Savior is Jesus? Jesus takes you from your peril (Ephesians 2 says we are dead in trespasses and sins), and not only saves you, but keeps you from harm.
• Jesus wants you to know for sure you are going to Heaven.
• Jesus wants to take away the guesswork of salvation. You don’t have to hem and haw, you don’t have to hope or wish for salvation. You can know for sure, absolutely, positively, 100%. See one of the greatest verses in all of Scripture, 1 John 5:13

Most religions teach that good works are what merits favor with God and gets you to Heaven, however . . .

• The Bible teaches that we can’t work our way to Heaven.
  • See Titus 3:5; Ephesians 2:8-9; Phillippians 3:9; Romans 11:6
• God requires perfection to enter Heaven.
• Since the fall of Adam, mankind has been born into sin. Every human that has ever walked the face of the earth has sin in him. See Romans 3:23
• God requires perfection for Heaven. Even if we wanted to, we couldn’t reach that mark—at birth we already failed. See Revelation 21:27

True Christianity is not religion

• Religion is defined as “man reaching God by his good works.” Christianity teaches that God reached man and offered eternal life, absolutely free. See Ephesians 2:8-9
• Salvation is either entirely by God’s grace or it is by works.
• Jesus didn’t offer a partial payment on the cross. Either it was good enough to pay for all of our sins or it wasn’t good enough to pay for all of them. See Romans 11:6.

The purpose of the Ten Commandments is not to get us Heaven.

• God instituted the law to show Israel and the world that they were sinners in need of a Savior.
• It is like a truant officer that shows us that we have failed. It points to the Savior See Galatians 3:24-25
• Like a mirror, it reveals our sins. Christ’s shed blood is the “soap” that cleanses our sin. You wouldn’t wash with a mirror!

What about the book of James?

• Does the book of James contradict Scripture? What does it mean when it says, “Faith without works is dead.”
• We must look at whom this book is addressing. The word, "brethren" is used over 15 times in this book. Clearly, James is addressing the brethren, encouraging them to prove demonstrate their faith in Christ by doing good deeds.
• What is the purpose of good works, then?
• We do good works, because of the precious gift of salvation Christ has given us, not in order to get to Heaven in the first place.
• Good works come after salvation, not before salvation.

What happened when you got saved:

• When you were saved, you were born of the spirit. What does this mean?
  • You were indwelt with the Holy Spirit, which empowers you to live righteously. See Ephesians 1:13 and 2 Corinthians 5:17
  • This is the second birth (the first birth was your natural birth) described in the book of John. See John 4:11,14 and John 7:38-39
• You still sin because you still have your old nature.
• While you were given a new nature at the time of salvation, you still have your old nature.
• Your old nature can only sin.
• The flesh is rooted and steeped in corruption. The old nature has “no good thing.” See John 3:6 and Romans 7:18.
• Your new nature is perfect and cannot sin.
  • See 2 John 3:9 and 1 Peter 1:23
• There is a classic battle raging inside of every Christian.
  • There is a battle raging between your old nature, which desires to fulfill the sinful desires of the flesh, and the new nature, which desires to please God. See Galatians 5:17
  • Whichever one is fed will control the Christian. If you build up your new nature, it will control your thoughts and actions. If you feed your flesh, your flesh will control your thoughts and actions. See Galatians 6:8
  • Their are fruits of a being controlled by the spirit (new nature) see Galatians 5:22-23
  • There are fruits of being controlled by the flesh (old nature) See Galatians 5:19-21

How can I overcome sin?

• We will never be perfect until we reach Heaven, but Christians do have the power to overcome sin through the Holy Spirit.

1.      Walk in the Spirit See Galatians 5:16
2.      Prioritize your life See Colossians 3:2
3.      Rid yourself of unnecessary entanglements See 2 Timothy 2:4
4.      Be not conformed to the world, but be transformed by Christ See Romans 12:1-2
5.      See our Resource Section for many helpful materials that will get you started in your Christian walk.

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