Who can be saved?
Introduction. Almost the same question was asked the Lord by His disciples in Matthew 19: 25. The young rich ruler asked Jesus, "Master, what good thing shall I do that I may have eternal life?" (Matt. 19: 16) Jesus told him, "...keep the commandments" (vs. 17). Jesus than addressed the ruler's real problem - covetousness (vss. 20-22). After the man rejected Jesus' teaching to "sell that thou hast, and give to the poor," the disciples asked, "... who then can be saved?" (vs. 25).
Those who deny their own selfish will. Beloved, Jesus placed much emphasis on denying our own will. Hear Him: "... if any man will come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me" (Luke 9: 23). Immorality and false doctrine are the result of selfishness. Repentance involves self-denial (Matt. 21: 29; 2 Cor. 7: 11).
Those who do the Lord's will. The scriptures could not be plainer in this matter (Matt. 7: 21-23). All we believe and do must be because God teaches it. Selfish men call this legalism. It is written of Jesus, "And being made perfect, He became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey Him" (Heb. 5: 9).
What obedience includes. The non-Christian must believe, repent, confess Christ's deity, and be baptized for the remission of sin (John 8: 24; Acts 17: 30, 31; Rom. 10: 9, 10; Acts 2: 38). When the Christian sins, as he will, he is taught to confess that sin; and God will forgive him (1 John 1: 6-10). It is a Biblical fact that only a few will be willing to deny themselves and accept God's will (Matt. 7: 13, 14). However, those who are so inclined can enjoy salvation (Acts 16: 30-34). Do not be as the young rich ruler. We are told that he went away in sorrow (Matt. 19: 22). Instead of going away in sorrow, you can go away rejoicing (Acts 8: 39). You can be saved. The choice is yours. Now is the day of salvation (2 Cor. 6: 2).
Those who deny their own selfish will. Beloved, Jesus placed much emphasis on denying our own will. Hear Him: "... if any man will come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me" (Luke 9: 23). Immorality and false doctrine are the result of selfishness. Repentance involves self-denial (Matt. 21: 29; 2 Cor. 7: 11).
Those who do the Lord's will. The scriptures could not be plainer in this matter (Matt. 7: 21-23). All we believe and do must be because God teaches it. Selfish men call this legalism. It is written of Jesus, "And being made perfect, He became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey Him" (Heb. 5: 9).
What obedience includes. The non-Christian must believe, repent, confess Christ's deity, and be baptized for the remission of sin (John 8: 24; Acts 17: 30, 31; Rom. 10: 9, 10; Acts 2: 38). When the Christian sins, as he will, he is taught to confess that sin; and God will forgive him (1 John 1: 6-10). It is a Biblical fact that only a few will be willing to deny themselves and accept God's will (Matt. 7: 13, 14). However, those who are so inclined can enjoy salvation (Acts 16: 30-34). Do not be as the young rich ruler. We are told that he went away in sorrow (Matt. 19: 22). Instead of going away in sorrow, you can go away rejoicing (Acts 8: 39). You can be saved. The choice is yours. Now is the day of salvation (2 Cor. 6: 2).