The salvation that Jesus offers to those who obey Him is precious and meaningful. In Matthew 1:20-21, the angel emphatically spoke this truth to Joseph by saying,

“But when he had considered this, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, ‘Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife; for the Child who has been conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit. She will bear a Son; and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins.’”

The biblical doctrine of salvation can be studied under many motifs. For instance, the Scriptures teach that we are saved by:

• Jesus, Matthew 1:20-21

• Jesus’ Blood, Ephesians 1:7

• In hope, Romans 8:24

• By faith, John 3:16; Ephesians 2: 8-10

• By grace, Ephesians 2:8-10

• By works, Philemon 2:12-13

• By baptism, Acts 2:38;

The concept of synecdoche (part for the whole and vice versa) helps us understand Biblical salvation. Each one of these motifs is just as important as the other. It is not to the exclusion of the other truths but rather their inclusion that makes salvation so very important to those who obey the Word of God.

The New Testament Epistles shed great light on the importance of living faithfully until death. Let’s examine some of these Scriptures: 2 Peter 1: 10-11, “Therefore, brethren, be all the more diligent to make certain about His calling and choosing you; for as long as you practice these things, you will never stumble; for in this way the entrance into the eternal kingdom of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ will be abundantly supplied to you.”

Peter told the Christians of the Diaspora that they needed to add the seven graces to their walk with God. And as long as they practiced these things, they would never stumble. What if they failed to practice these truths? There was a strong possibility they would stumble/fall. 1 Corinthians 10:12, “Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed that he does not fall.” This passage is sobering and self-explanatory.

1 Corinthians 9:27, “Therefore I run in such a way, as not without aim; I box in such a way, as not beating the air; but I discipline my body and make it my slave, so that, after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified.” This is one of the most telling verses in the New Testament narratives. Paul the Apostle was straight-forward about the danger of his falling from grace. We would take heed to learn from him!

Hebrews 3:12, “Take care, brethren, that there not be in any one of you an evil, unbelieving heart that falls away from the living God.” The admonition is crystal clear—Take Care! If it were not possible to fall away, why place this admonition in the Scriptures?

Hebrews 10: 26-31, “For if we go on sinning willfully after receiving the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins, but a terrifying expectation of judgment and the fury of a fire which will consume the adversaries. Anyone who has set aside the Law of Moses dies without mercy on the testimony of two or three witnesses. How much severer punishment do you think he will deserve who has trampled underfoot the Son of God, and has regarded as unclean the blood of the covenant by which he was sanctified, and has insulted the Spirit of grace? For we know Him who said, ‘Vengeance is Mine, I will repay.’ And again, ‘The Lord will judge His people.’ It is a terrifying thing to fall into the hands of the living God.”

Galatians 5:4, “You have been severed from Christ, you who are seeking to be justified by law; you have fallen from grace.” Paul stated that those who sought to be justified by the law in Galatia had fallen from grace.

2 Peter 2: 20-22, “For if, after they have escaped the defilements of the world by the knowledge of the Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, they are again entangled in them and are overcome, the last state has become worse for them than the first. For it would be better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than having known it, to turn away from the holy commandment handed on to them. It has happened to them according to the true proverb, “A dog returns to its own vomit,” and, “A sow, after washing, returns to wallowing in the mire.” No explanation necessary!

The preponderance of evidence in the Scriptures clearly teach and show that a child of God can so sin as to be lost. The conversation between Simon the Sorcerer and Peter (Acts 8:9-23) and the admonition from James (James 5:19,20) clearly add additional support to the Scriptures previously cited.

I am convinced that the evil one will do anything within his power to see us in hell. And if making people believe that they can “coast in to heaven” without being a good and faithful servant, then he has succeeded! Let us make a concerted effort to enter in by the strait gate! To God be the glory!

By Billy Davis, Ph.D.