This Blogpost is a response to a newsletter I received.
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I need to ask you for clarification on the steps to salvation you posted.
-God offers the free gift of forgiveness, relationship, and a perfect future home in heaven (Romans 6:23).
* Agreed - this verse ( Romans 6:23 ) and Ephesians 2:8-9 are two of the clearest verses on salvation being a GIFT,
and I've always shared with unbelievers who thought is was by works ( or some "effort" or "worthiness" ) on their part.
-The only requirement is to admit your sin and ask Him to forgive you because of Jesus's work on the cross (Acts 16:29-31),
* I see nothing in Acts 16:29-31 about "admitting your sin" or "asking to be forgiven" in this ( or any other passage concerning how to be saved ).
I've seen it in many "tracts" and heard many "preachers" use these "conditions",
but I've always thought of them as "works".
Understanding your NEED for a savior would involve recognizing one's sinfulness,
but forgiveness is provided by putting your faith ( trust ) in Jesus Christ as your Savior.
Reference Acts 10:43
To him all the prophets bear witness that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name.
Now of course a person who is ASKING,
could be simply BELIEVING this forgiveness is made available at no cost / no effort - based solely on the finished work of Jesus on the Christ,
but making "asking" a step ( condition ) could cause some to think this "work" is part ( their part ) of the salvation process.
and then ask for relationship with God and eternal life (Romans 10:9-11).
-God keeps His promises and will make you one of His children (John 1:12).
* I love to share John 1:12,13 to show that those who Believe are born of God ( become His children ).
This is definitely what God wants - a Relationship with us.
And it needs to be part of the "good news" message ( sometimes left out ).
He is offering us MORE than Eternal Life.
He is offering us Abundant Life".
He wants us to experience this relationship NOW.
I truly believe that you understand this continuing relationship ( daily trusting and talking to the Father ) better than I do.
It is just something I try to make clear as something a person is to "do"
after they believe and are born again.
There is no need to ASK for this new relationship or eternal life.
When it comes to salvation,
I do not think that God is "asking us to ask",
I see Him "asking us" to BELIEVE - Trust - put our Faith in Him.
And I've always understood "calling upon the name of the Lord",
as just another way of saying to Trust - Depend - Rely Upon Him.
If you need forgiveness and salvation - Look to Jesus.
If you need help as His child now - Look to Jesus ( call upon Him ).
And yes, calling is a form of "asking" for something.
I have "called upon His name" as part of asking for help several time ( with great results ).
However, I think that Paul is really trying to explain deeper relationship truths in Romans ( chapters 5 - 12 ),
and not the basic "how a person is saved".
I believe this is covered most clearly in chapters 3 and 4 of Romans.
*3:23 even the righteousness of God, through faith in Jesus Christ, to all and on all who believe. *
I realize that many people do like to use the verses in Romans 10 as part of their gospel presentation.
And I can imagine, it's the way you were taught ( and heard in your church for years ),
so you think nothing of the concerns I'm bringing up.
And if you are clear enough on the way to salvation as "only" what Christ has done ( and does ),
with No works - efforts - "conditions" by the unbeliever,
the message ( with the help of the Holy Spirit ) should be clear enough to the one who is ready to be born again.
I hope I've not upset you by these words,
but I could not withhold them.
A clear gospel presentation is something I've always felt strongly about.
If you're not "mad at me" over this,
you should enjoy my most recent full video I posted last week.
It touches on both the gift of salvation and the availability of an abundant life now.
How to Receive the Gifts of Eternal Life and Abundant Life in Christ
You are and will continue to be in my daily prayers.
Andy
"Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful.
And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works,
not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some,
but exhorting one another,
and so much the more as you see the Day approaching.
Hebrews 10:23-25
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