The Extent of God's Grace
Mat 19:24 And again I say unto you, It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God.
Mat 19:25 When his disciples heard it, they were exceedingly amazed, saying, Who then can be saved?
Mat 19:26 But Jesus beheld them, and said unto them, With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible.
Everyone desires to emigrate to an ideal country, even though our time on Earth is limited. While the only truly ideal country is in heaven, many people are not seriously applying to go there for various reasons.
One common reason is that they are unsure such a place exists. Some believe that if heaven exists, God's grace will be so extensive that everyone except criminals will be welcomed into His kingdom without any effort. While anything is possible with God, if you want to go to heaven, it is your responsibility to appropriate God's grace as He has prescribed.
Even in this world, you won't receive your income tax refund if you refuse to provide the tax authorities with your bank account numbers. Fortunately, many people do make an application for heaven. This article outlines the necessary criteria for admission and provides answers to frequently asked questions (FAQ).
Some Erroneous opinions
An emigration application is a demanding process. Every country seeks the best candidates for admission. They will verify your health, work experience, education level, family background, police records, and bank accounts. There are rules and regulations you must follow and volumes of forms to complete. However, when it comes to applying for heaven, it is surprising how many people have simplistic opinions. Sadly, these simplistic opinions are incorrect, and it is crucial for those serious about applying for heaven to be aware of such erroneous opinions and avoid them.
Some "Christians" believe that faith alone is sufficient for salvation and that there is no need for baptism or church attendance. Another group of Christians believes that baptism alone, with a certificate from a "recognized" church, guarantees their ticket to heaven. The next group believes that they are guaranteed a place in heaven because they have complied with Christian formalities like confessions, baptism, and church attendance. Even if they live unholy lives like the people of the world, they believe that God's grace is sufficient to save them.
Therefore, the extent of God's grace is a subject with a wide range of views. The liberal view is that God is very kind and that believing in the Lord Jesus grants you a right to enter His kingdom, while the narrow view is that God's grace is only available to those who fully adhere to the Lord Jesus' teachings.
As an Elder in an assembly, this question troubles me greatly. If I hold a view that is too liberal, I might mislead the members, and if I hold the view too strictly, I might offend some members. The following are some common questions (not exhaustive):
- I have confessed the faith and been baptized; do I need to attend church?
- Is it acceptable to miss the breaking of Bread occasionally, once in a while, or always?
- Is attending Bible study and prayer meetings important?
- If I attend a church that is not following New Testament principles, will it affect my salvation?
- I am involved in the tobacco industry; should I change my profession?
- I am not interested in sharing the faith with my relatives and friends as it interferes with their personal affairs; will I have an entry problem at Heaven's gate?
- If I commit sin, will my entry to heaven be denied?
- How much responsibility should I have in nurturing my children in the faith?
The subject of Salvation
Before I address the questions above, I would like to share that salvation is accorded to those that fulfilled the following requirements.
Rom 10:9 That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved.
Act 2:38 Then Peter said unto them, Repent, and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins, and ye shall receive the gift of the Holy Ghost.
As highlighted in bold above, a person is saved when they publicly confess with their mouth that the Lord Jesus Christ is their savior and believe it in their heart. Additionally, as taught by the Apostle Peter, the person must repent of their sins and obey the Lord through the ritual of baptism. Once saved, the Bible provides an account of what believers did in Acts 2:42.
Act 2:42 And they continued stedfastly in the apostles' doctrine and fellowship, and in breaking of bread, and in prayers.
Addressing the FAQ
1. "I have confessed the faith and been baptized; do I need to attend church?"
It is essential for every believer to join a local assembly or church. It is within the context of a local assembly that believers have fellowship with one another, as described in Acts 2:42.
2. "Is it okay to miss the breaking of Bread occasionally, once in a while, or always?"
On the night before His betrayal, the Lord Jesus instituted the Breaking of Bread service and requested that believers remember Him through these emblems.
Luke 22:19 And he took bread, and gave thanks, and brake it, and gave unto them, saying, This is my body which is given for you: this do in remembrance of me.
Luke 22:20 Likewise also the cup after supper, saying, This cup is the new testament in my blood, which is shed for you.
It is understandable if you need to be absent from the Breaking of Bread service for a wedding or similar occasion. However, believers should attend the Breaking of Bread service every week, Acts 20:7.
3. “Is attending Bible study and prayers meeting important?”
This was a practice the early disciples followed steadfastly, as recorded in Acts 2:42. We must study the Bible diligently to correctly interpret God's word, as stated in 2 Timothy 2:15. Prayer teaches us to trust and rely on our God and gives us assurance and peace, Philippians 4:6.
4. “If I attend a church that is not following New Testament principles, will it affect my salvation?”
God provided clear instructions on how to worship Him in the past. In Leviticus 23, He outlined the seven feasts that the people must observe and how to observe them.
In the New Testament, worship has been greatly simplified. The manner in which the Lord Jesus is to be revered is given in the New Testament. The mode of worship is replaced by the practices in the New Testament. The hymn below catches the change:
No blood, no altar now,
The sacrifice is o'er!
No flame, no smoke ascends on high,
The lamb is slain no more,
But richer blood has flow'd from nobler veins,
To purge the soul from guilt, and cleanse the reddest stains.
Author: Horatius Bonar
The Passover has been replaced with communion, and men approach the Lord today with uncovered heads while women's heads must be covered to acknowledge the Lord Jesus as the head of the church. An assembly adhering to New Testament principles is designed to promote the worship of our Lord Jesus Christ in the manner that He prescribes. Its sole objective is to honor Him as much as possible.
If you are not worshiping the Lord in a New Testament assembly, I believe the Lord will not be too strict with you. However, your primary motive for attending an assembly or church must be to worship the Lord. If your primary motive of attending an assembly deviate towards meeting friends, social connections, or personal preferences (rather than biblical preferences), it is a matter of grave concern.
5. “I am involved in the tobacco industry, should I change my profession?”
Smoking is not explicitly prohibited in the Bible. However, the Bible provides principles that guide believers to avoid it. In 2 Corinthians 7:1, we are encouraged to rid ourselves of all filthiness of the flesh. Since smoking has been proven to have a harmful effect on the body, Christians should avoid it. Those working in the tobacco industry are directly or indirectly promoting a product that causes harm to the body given to everyone by God. This is contrary to God's plan.
6. “I am Christian but I am not interested in sharing the faith with my relatives and friends as it interferes with their personal affairs; will I have an entry problem at Heaven's gate?”
The Lord Jesus, in Mark 16:15, instructs us to go and preach the Gospel to every creature. It is our duty to share this good news with everyone, especially our relatives and friends. However, it is also a fact that many of our relatives and friends dislike us sharing this news with them. Most likely, they do not want to hear about repentance and changes to their life's routine. Sometimes the sharing is also prohibited by laws. I believe you would have fulfilled your duty if you have the following attitudes:
- Be ever ready to share the Gospel with them when circumstances present the opportunity.
- Always maintain a good Christian testimony. The instructions to the wife in 1 Peter 3:1 also applies to other relationships.
- Pray for their salvation in your personal devotion.
7. "If I commit sin, will my entry to heaven be denied?"
The relevant verses to this question are set out below:
1 Jn 3:9 Whosoever is born of God doth not commit sin; for his seed remaineth in him: and he cannot sin, because he is born of God.
1 Jn 1:8-9 If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
When a person becomes a Christian, there must be repentance from sins. This is an affirmation that sin should be removed from their life from that time onward. However, living in this world, there may be occasions when a person does commit sin. The Bible addresses these occasional sins, stating that the person must confess them and ask God for forgiveness. As the verse above says, He is faithful to forgive us our sins.
It is important to note that a born-again person should not sin. When a believer sins, it must be a very uncomfortable feeling and the believer should be seeking God's forgiveness. If a person claims to be a Christian and habitually sins, it is a clear sign that the person is not saved.
8. “How much responsibility should I have in nurturing my children in the faith?”
Christianity is a faith chosen, not inherited. Children born into a Christian family do not automatically inherit their parents' faith. When they grow up, they must personally choose to accept the Lord Jesus as their personal Lord and Savior.
Bringing a life into the world is a heavy responsibility, as the Bible declares that a baby inherits Adam's sin and is a sinner. Only by accepting the Lord Jesus Christ can they break free from the deadly grip of sin. Therefore, Christian parents have a responsibility to nurture their children in Christian teachings as early as possible. In addition to sending them to church Sunday school, parents should conduct home Bible studies with their children and pray together. While some children can embrace the faith without their parents' help, others may ignore the Christian faith despite much teaching. When a child grows up, it is their responsibility to decide for themselves, but it is important for Christian parents to provide them with a spiritual inheritance.
2 Tim 3:14 But continue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them;
2 Tim 3:15 And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.
God’s grace is indeed wide and accommodating to many. However, we must be reminded that our salvation is not purchased in a light flippant manner. It cost the Saviour his life at the cross. I would exhort all believers to take heed to what He requires of us and conduct their own self-examination on the extent of compliance to His rules. Ask yourself, when your life ends on this earth, are you confident of your place in heaven? My advice to everyone is to maintain a conservative view, keeping in mind the Savior’s advice in Matt 7:13-14.
Matt 7:13 Enter ye in at the strait gate: for wide is the gate, and broad is the way, that leadeth to destruction, and many there be which go in thereat:
Matt 7:14 Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.
When the Lord Jesus says the way to heaven is the narrow way, He does not mean it is difficult, but rather that it is attainable only by obeying the Bible's instructions and not interpreting them carelessly according to one's whims or preferences. Stay on the narrow path and strive to fulfill the Bible's teachings. We live our lives only once on this earth. Whatever He requires of us, we can only do it now, and when our life ends, nothing can be added. It is either we enter the celestial palace or are denied.
1 Jn 5:3 For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous.
With God’s blessings,
CL
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