Three Mistakes About Salvation

It is possible to make a lot of mistakes when it comes to salvation. I don’t know them all , neither do I want to. This chapter warns us of three mistakes  which is quite similar to want people say today.

Prayer.

I’m Good enough without Christ (vs 2-7)

Look out for the dogs, look out for the evildoers, look out for those who mutilate the flesh. For we are the circumcision, who worship by the Spirit of God and glory in Christ Jesus and put no confidence in the flesh— though I myself have reason for confidence in the flesh also. If anyone else thinks he has reason for confidence in the flesh, I have more: circumcised on the eighth day, of the people of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of Hebrews; as to the law, a Pharisee; as to zeal, a persecutor of the church; as to righteousness under the law, blamelessIndeed, I count everything as loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord. For his sake I have suffered the loss of all things and count them as rubbish, in order that I may gain Christ and be found in him, not having a righteousness of my own that comes from the law, but that which comes through faith in Christ, the righteousness from God that depends on faith— that I may know him and the power of his resurrection, and may share his sufferings, becoming like him in his death, that by any means possible I may attain the resurrection from the dead.

1. Paul refer to the Judaizers, who are those Jews who insist that in order fo you to be saved there are certain laws that one must observe. If salvation is gained by observing certain laws and tradition, then that would be putting salvation into the hands of man.Paul had made it known that it is by grace that you are saved, and this is not of yourselves it is the gift of God not by works so no one can boast.

One of the main things that the judaizers would preach is that a man had to be circumcised, This is why Paul called them flesh mutilators. However  Paul insisted that if that were the case, he excelled them al.  He had the seven marks of excellence and he excelled them all,He was circumcised on the eight day after his birth, He was a Jew, from the tribe of Benjamin, He was a Hebrew of Hebrews: as to the law. He was a Pharisee, as to his zeal, and a persecutor of the church, and as to the law, he was blameless, according to this he of all people should have favor with God,   All these things he had from birth ,But he counts all this as lost, all the hard work he put into what he believed counted for nothing. It didn’t mean a thing, its worthless in the matter of salvation. He cheerfully lost all things and was willing to do so if he is to receive salvation through the redeemer. This did not  assure his salvation.

The question is have I sinned? The answer is yes. (Roman 3:23) tells us that all have sinned and fall short of the Glory of God. Sin has to be paid if one is to be saved. No one can go to heaven on the basis of good deeds.

 I’m saved so I don’t have to work (vv 12-16).Not that I have already obtained this or am already perfect, but I press on to make it my own, because Christ Jesus has made me his own. Brothers, I do not consider that I have made it my own. But one thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus. Let those of us who are mature think this way, and if in anything you think otherwise, God will reveal that also to you. Only let us hold true to what we have attained.

Some of the people in Philippi felt that Paul and they had done so much for God that have already obtained all could be expected of a christian. This is a very dangerous thought, a continual effort in the christian live is necessary.  Because you have been saved don’t assume that you have to stop living for God. But I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified.( 1 Cor 9:27). We must keep going and striving  to reach the mark and secure all that you desired prize. God is ready to disclose to you all that you want to know and grant all your wishes. You must remain faithful. It is not alright to try to live on both sides go the fence, with one foot in heaven and the other foot in hell. You must remain faithful.

3. Its just the spirit that counts ( 17-21)

Brothers, join in imitating me, and keep your eyes on those who walk according to the example you have in us. For many, of whom I have often told you and now tell you even with tears, walk as enemies of the cross of Christ. Their end is destruction, their god is their belly, and they glory in their shame, with minds set on earthly things. But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body to be like his glorious body, by the power that enables him even to subject all things to himself.

Many people were deceived and many people today are deceived, and have no true religion, this is sad because it don’t have to be that way, it is their choice. But God want us to rejoice because our home, our citizenship is in heaven. And we should live like people who expect to be there soon. Jesus is coming back soon to take us to glory. He is going to give us a new body, hoo that our bodies will be just like his body. So we should live like those who have a hope that is so blessed and transforming.

Finally God’s people;Rejoice Always, you are the only ones who really have something to rejoice about. We have a savior,  When we think of our sins, we can rejoice that there is someone who can deliver us from them, When we think of our soul and what it is worth, we can rejoice because that there is some one who can save it from death. when we think of danger we know that there is someone who can rescue us and bring us to a world that is always safe. we can rejoice because we have a Savior, who can accomplish just what we want a Savior to do. We need one to make known to us the way of pardon, He does, we need atonement for sin, he does it, we need one to give us peace from a troubled conscience, he does we need support from grief of death and guide us through the dark valley, The Lord Jesus is just what we want,

Don’t look to find joy and happiness in reaches, in partying, in books or in, or in the world. We should look for our joy in Jesus Christ, and the hope of eternal life through him. It is a privilege for a Christian to rejoice. A Christian should not walk around giving people the impression that your religion makes you gloomy. You should always show  that your heart is full of joy.

there was this theologian that was asked are you saved? He said yes I have been saved, I am being saved, and I hope to be saved. What do you mean? When I accepted Jesus as my savior my sis were forgiven, I was saved. Since becoming a christian I have sinned from time to time, I claimed ! John 1:9. He cleansed me from my present sin, And yet my salvation won’t be complete until He says to me Well done my good and faithful servant. Enter into the joys of the Lord.

Action is required: A boy ran to his father, I’ve got one you can’t guess this time, What is it, the father said, Three frogs were on a limb by the pool. One of the frogs decided to jump. How many were left on the limb. The father said well if one jumped than two are left, Nope, I see when one jump the other two did also, none are left, The boy laughed and said no Dad . You really missed that one . There were three left. don’t you see the the frog only decided jump. Our New Years resolution and good intention won’t take us ton heaven, we must respond.

Choose Jesus today tomorrow may be to late.

God bless you.