Could you please explain Col 1:20-23 for I think it contradicts your teaching on salvation.

Youtube video = https://youtu.be/g2ULbJoX2pk

Some of you might have questions 

about Salvation being a gift 

received by faith alone.

Like this viewer who asked 

Could you please explain Col 1:20-23 

for I think it contradicts 

your teaching on salvation. 

Thank you for any help.

Let's start by read the passage:

And you, who once were alienated 

and enemies in your mind 

by wicked works, 

yet now He has reconciled 

in the body of His flesh through death, 

to present you holy, 

and blameless, 

and above reproach in His sight— 

if indeed you continue in the faith, 

grounded and steadfast, 

and are not moved away from 

the hope of the gospel 

which you heard, 

which was preached 

to every creature under heaven, 

of which I, Paul, 

became a minister.

The key to understanding this passage lies 

in the fact that Paul is not talking about 

"IF" the believer is going to be present before the Lord 

but HOW.

We can see by the context 

that he is addressing those who have been saved.

Look at verses 13 and 14 of the chapter:

For he has rescued us from 

the dominion of darkness 

and brought us into the kingdom 

of the Son he loves, 

in whom we have redemption, 

the forgiveness of sins. 

The believer has already been rescued 

and made part of the kingdom of the Son.

And in the Son we have received full redemption 

and forgiveness of all our sins.

Therefore Colossians 1:23 is not talking about 

"IF" a believer is going to be presented before the Lord, 

but HOW they would be presented.

To be presented holy, and blameless, 

and above reproach in His sight

A believer must 

continue in the faith, 

be grounded and continue steadfast, 

and not be moved away from the hope of the gospel 

which they heard,

Paul is constantly instructing and encouraging 

the believer's to live for the Lord.

Not to be saved, 

nor to remain saved.

Our eternal life begins when we trust in Christ,

and it will never end.

You are permanently a child of God.

Choosing to serve your Father will result in you 

being rewarded, 

and not being ashamed when the Lord appears.

This can clearly be seen in his letters to the Corinthians.

This church had many issues with sinful behavior.

We find many references in the two letters written to them.

Yet, Paul called them saints, 

and did not question their salvation.

To help clarify that works are for rewards

and not salvation,

I want to draw your attention 

to what Paul says in 

1 Corinthians chapter 3 

verses 11 through 15

For no other foundation can anyone lay 

than that which is laid, 

which is Jesus Christ. 

Now if anyone builds on this foundation with 

gold, silver, precious stones, 

wood, hay, straw, 

each one's work will become clear; 

for the Day will declare it, 

because it will be revealed by fire; 

and the fire will test each one's work, 

of what sort it is. 

If anyone's work 

which he has built on it endures, 

he will receive a reward. 

If anyone's work is burned, 

he will suffer loss; 

but he himself will be saved, 

yet so 

as through fire.

This passage gives us a picture of 

how some believers can expect to be rewarded,

and others will have little 

or even nothing to show for their lives.

Because they did not choose 

to become a disciple and serve the Lord

after they became born again child of God.

As verse 15 states,

"he himself will be saved",

But just like when a house burns to the ground,

a person has little or nothing left

after the fire has consumed their worldly possessions

they had worked so hard to accumulate over many years.

Again, our salvation is based 

on the finished work of Jesus Christ on the cross.

It is a gift received by grace through faith ... 

not of ourselves, not of works.

How you choose to respond to your heavenly Father 

will determine if you will experience blessings now,

and future recognition for your faithful obedience. 

The Bible is full of promised blessings and rewards 

to those who listen to, trust in and obey the Lord.

Please note: 

Since we are imperfect beings, 

we don't have the power to live 

the kind of life God wants for us, 

so He gives us His Holy Spirit to empower us.  

Paul made it clear he was successful in serving the Lord 

because of God's grace; 

he trusted God to live His life through him.

He was empowered to obey the commands of Scripture. 

John tells us in the Gospel of John,

and his letters, that the key is to ABIDE.

With warnings that those believers who fail to do this

will be ashamed when Jesus appears.

1 John 2:28

And now, little children, abide in Him, 

that when He appears, 

we may have confidence 

and not be ashamed before Him 

at His coming. 

I will close with Jude verses 24 and 25

Now to Him 

who is able to keep you from stumbling,

And to present you faultless
Before the presence of His glory 

with exceeding joy,

To God our Savior,
Who alone is wise,
Be glory and majesty,
Dominion and power,
Both now and forever.
Amen.

At the Lord's coming,

some believers will experience feelings of shame, 

while others will have exceeding joy.  

This depends on our faithfulness now. 

I hope this explanation helps.

For more on the gift of eternal life,

check out this video.

Maranatha.

*** Suppliment:

Eternal Life is received by faith alone. 

Once received it can not be lost. 

Faithfulness is necessary for 

a close, blessed, and rewarded relationship with our heavenly Father. 

That is the "conditional" part after we are born again. 

That is the point of Col. 1:23, Heb. 3:6 and 1 Cor. 15:2. 

Nothing more than that. 

Also, we see that EVEN if we "lose" our faith -- He remains faithful. 

Our salvation is based on what Christ has done for us, 

not what we are "doing" for Him. 

We become part of His body when we first believe, 

and that can never change... 2 Timothy 2:10-13 ( note the last verse ), 

10 Therefore I endure all things for the sake of the elect,

 that they also may obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus 

with eternal glory.

11 This is a faithful saying:

For if we died with Him,

We shall also live with Him.

12 If we endure,

We shall also reign with Him.

If we deny Him,

He also will deny us.

13 If we are faithless,

He remains faithful;

He cannot deny Himself.

--

Saved by Grace,

Andrew Cross

"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

YouTube channel = We belong to the Day

Rapture Timing Revealed to the Thessalonians

https://youtube.com/shorts/ORyg7fERRu0

The resurrection of the those asleep in Jesus,

and our meeting the Lord in the air,

are clearly seen in 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18.

It is taught by some 

that this is a Rapture that must occur 

before the time of the Great Tribulation.

However, if you read it through,

you'll find no mention of that timing.

Paul's tell us to have

comfort in the fact

that those believers who have died,

will be resurrected.

He tells us that we all be unity with the Lord 

at His return.

And if you look at some of the other references

to the return of Jesus Christ 

in the two letters to the Thessalonians,

you'll see this event is to occur 

AFTER the time of the Great Tribulation.

The revealing of the Lord Jesus from heaven,

is when the believers are to expect 

rest from our trouble.

Also at that time 

He will be taking vengeance

upon the unbelieving 

who have rejected the gospel.

This can be seen 

in 2 Thessalonians chapter 1 verses 6 - 10,

since it is a righteous thing with God 

to repay with tribulation 

those who trouble you, 

and to give you who are troubled 

rest with us when the Lord Jesus 

is revealed from heaven 

with His mighty angels,

in flaming fire 

taking vengeance on those 

who do not know God, 

and on those who do not 

obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ.

These shall be punished 

with everlasting destruction 

from the presence of the Lord 

and from the glory of His power,

when He comes, in that Day, 

to be glorified in His saints 

and to be admired 

among all those who believe,

because our testimony among you 

was believed.

And Pauls tells them that the time of the Rapture

( our gathering ) is after the antichrist comes.

I suggest you read all of 2 Thessalonians chapter 2,

and I'll share the first few verses to make my point,

Now, brethren, concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ 

and our gathering together to Him, we ask you, 

not to be soon shaken in mind or troubled, 

either by spirit or by word or by letter, as if from us, 

as though the day of Christ had come. 

Let no one deceive you by any means; 

for that Day will not come 

unless the falling away comes first, 

and the man of sin is revealed, the son of perdition, 

who opposes and exalts himself 

above all that is called God or that is worshiped, 

so that he sits as God in the temple of God, 

showing himself that he is God.

We see that 

no gathering to our Lord Jesus Christ

will occur,

Until after this happens.

And we know from Matthew and Revelation 

this happens as part of the Great Tribulation.

So, please be alert, and watching,

but don't expect an early exist 

as some would have you to believe.

For more about the timing of the Rapture

check out our Youtube channel,

We Belong to the Day.

If you were blessed by this video,

please hit the LIKE button,

so more people will be able to find this message.

Maranatha

--

Saved by Grace,

Andrew Cross

"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

YouTube channel = We belong to the Day

Confused by steps to salvation - Is Asking Involved / Necessary?

This Blogpost is a response to a newsletter I received.

**

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

https://youtu.be/b3f82jPhOEA 

You are and will continue to be in my daily prayers.

Your brother in Christ,

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

YouTube channel = We belong to the Day

Receiving the Gifts of Eternal Life and Abundant Life in Christ

Youtube version = https://youtu.be/b3f82jPhOEA

First and foremost,

are you a born again believer?

Have you come to understand that Eternal Life can not be earned?

That is it a Gift of God to those who have trusted in Jesus Christ as their Savior?

That forgiveness for all sin, and a right standing with God is given to those who 

believe that Jesus did it all for you?

Here are a few references concerning the Free Gift of Eternal Life:

Ephesians 2:8,9, 

For by grace you have been saved through faith, 

and that not of yourselves; 

it is the gift of God, 

not of works, 

lest anyone should boast.

Romans 6:23, 

For the wages of sin is death, 

but the gift of God is eternal life 

in Christ Jesus our Lord.

John 1:12

But as many as received Him, 

to them He gave the right to become children of God, 

to those who believe in His name:

Romans 4:4-6 

Now to him who works, 

the wages are not counted as grace 

but as debt.

But to him who does not work 

but believes on Him who justifies the ungodly, 

his faith is accounted for righteousness,

just as David also describes 

the blessedness of the man 

to whom God imputes righteousness 

apart from works:

NOW, assuming you are a Child of God,

have you learned to enjoy your new relationship?

Do you pray 

( talk things over with Jesus - constantly),

or do you only ask for help when things get tough?

1 Thessalonians 4:16-18

Rejoice always, 

pray without ceasing, 

in everything give thanks; 

for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.

Romans 12:12

rejoicing in hope, 

patient in tribulation, 

continuing steadfastly in prayer;

To enjoy the abundant life and peace that Jesus spoke about,

one must be aware of their new relationship.

Being "in Christ" results in a "new creation".

Once you realize that you are a beloved child of God,

you can REST in the knowledge 

that:

1 ) The Lord has been with you from your beginning.

He saw your future decision of faith before you were even born.

He has been working things out in your life to lead you to Him.

And as His child 

( and because of His Love for you ),

He has been providing and protecting you 

up until this point in your life.

I'm sure you can remember a time or two 

that God  provided what you needed,

or answered a specific prayer just when you needed it.

And the Bible is FULL of examples of the Lord 

meeting the Needs and Providing for those that are His.

2 ) A REST ( peace of mind - free of fear ) 

can be your experience in the NOW.

But you must be trusting in His faithfulness. 

Not your own worthiness, 

as you will often fall short when walking in your own strength.

Remember He abides faithful, 

even when our faith may falter.

2 Timothy 2:13

"If we are faithless,

He remains faithful;
He cannot deny Himself."

3 ) Understanding ( believing ) your FUTURE

is also in His hands.

And knowing His perfect Love, 

should case out all your fears.

1st John 4:18

"There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear"

RECAP - Rest / Peace / Joy 

can be YOUR daily Experience 

BECAUSE you "know" that

1st ) God has taken care of you in the PAST

2nd ) God is with you - watching over you NOW

3rd ) God will always be there for you, 

no matter what the FUTURE may hold.

John 16:33

These things I have spoken to you, 

that in Me you may have peace. 

In the world you will have tribulation; 

but be of good cheer, 

I have overcome the world."

Matthew 28:19

.... I am with you always, even to the end of the age...

--

Saved by Grace,

Andrew Cross

"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

YouTube channel = We belong to the Day