[size=14pt]ARTICLE OF FAITH: There is no salvation by faith without works[/size]
By Femi Aribisala
November 14, 2011 05:10PMT



Andrew Badejo went to church one Sunday morning. The pastor preached a fiery message about going to university which made a deep impression on him. He had always dreamed about going to university to get a degree in engineering but, alas, he had no interest whatsoever in studying. The pastor itemised different opportunities available to university graduates and, at the end of the sermon, he made an altar call. "All those who would like to go to the University of Lagos should come out." Andrew made a beeline for the altar with others. The pastor asked them to make a confession; then he declared: "You are hereby admitted as students of the University of Lagos."

A deceptive grace

From that day, there was a new spring in Andrew's steps. He was overjoyed at the prospects of being a university under-graduate. Nobody in his family or village had ever had that distinction. He day-dreamed about the different things he would do for his community when he graduates. He would send some people to school. He would sink a borehole in his father's compound. He would make the world a better place.


Every time someone asked him about his future plans, he told them he would be studying Engineering at the University of Lagos in the coming academic session. Many were impressed with him. They never thought he had it in him. So Andrew would be going to the university. How wonderful!

Faith without works

This continued until one day, a gentleman pressed him further about his impending studies at the university. He wanted to know which courses were his favourites in school. But Andrew could not answer. Then the man asked Andrew which courses he took in his JAMB exams. But Andrew did not know what he was talking about. He had not taken any JAMB and did not even know what JAMB meant.

"So how did you secure a place in the university?" the man asked in astonishment. "I did not take any exam," said Andrew, becoming a little confused and also getting irritated. "I answered an altar call." "What altar-call?" his nemesis wanted to know.

"Three months ago, my pastor preached a message about going to the university. Then he made an altar-call and asked all those who wanted to go to the University of Lagos to come forward. I went forward with others and he prayed for us. He told us that from that day, we are all now students of the University of Lagos. So I plan to join the university at the beginning of the next academic session."

"Tell me one thing," the man probed Andrew further. "Is your pastor a lecturer at the University of Lagos?" "No he is not," Andrew replied. "Is he the Vice-Chancellor of the university by any chance?" "No he is not," Andrew replied again. "Is he a graduate of the university?" "No, he is not." "So why do you believe him?" the man asked with incredulity.

"But I am not the only one," Andrew responded defensively. Everybody in our church is going to the University of Lagos in October." "And are you all going to be studying Engineering?" "I don't know. But I know we are all going."

"But Andrew, you have not even taken the entrance exam. How do you expect to be admitted?" he asked. "Our pastor says people are admitted into the University by faith. He says Jesus has taken the exam for all of us. All we have to do in October is show up and we will be admitted."


Blind leading the blind

At the beginning of the next academic session, Andrew showed up at the University. He was pleased to find members of his church there. But they could not find their names in the register. After a lot of arguing, they discovered they were not admitted into the University of Lagos. There was much weeping and gnashing of teeth (Mt 8:12).
They all descended on the pastor's house, undecided as to whether they should beat him up or even kill him. They discovered on getting there that he had been ejected from his house. All his belongings were lying on the sidewalk. The pastor looked at them despondently and shook his head. "I have been the victim of a cruel hoax," he cried.
Paul says: "If you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved" (Rm 10:9). But Jesus warns: "Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven" (Mt 7:21). Whose report do you believe?

articleoffaith@234next.com

http://234next.com/csp/cms/sites/Next/Opinion/Columns/5747646-182/article_of_faith_there_is_no.csp

@ poster,
{1:18} For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God. {1:19} For it is written, I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and will bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent. {1:20} Where [is] the wise? where [is] the scribe? where [is] the disputer of this world? hath not God made foolish the wisdom of this world? {1:21} For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe. {1:22} For the Jews require a sign, and the Greeks seek after wisdom: {1:23} But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumblingblock, and unto the Greeks foolishness; 1 Cor 1:18 – 23
Anyone who tries to explain the word of the Kingdom with the wisdom and knowledge of the world will always see it as foolish and unreasonable. Please come with me with an open mind and let me explain the mystery of salvation by faith to you.
First, let me explain your quotation: "Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven" (Mt 7:21)
The writer of this article would have understood what our Lord was saying if he/she had asked a simple question: what is the will of His father? The will of our Father which is in heaven is for us to trust the redemptive work of His Son on Calvary Mat 17:5“While he yet spake, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them: and behold a voice out of the cloud, which said, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; hear ye him.” Jesus was saying, I did not come to create a religion, hence, you might be a pastor, a church worker, a morally sound person, a faithful tithe payer, one that calls him Lord, Lord yet you’ll still miss heaven. The only thing that can save is for you to trust (have faith) in my death and blood; for I’ve been offered up as sacrifice in your place. “except” He says “a man be born-again, he cannot see the Kingdom of God.”

Now, salvation by faith! hmn… let me start by giving you the testimony of how I got saved.

On that wonderful and unforgettable day – December 5 of a certain year, the Lord met and saved my condemned soul! Before that day, I was a terrible sinner though I was born and breed up in a Christian family, go to church regularly, pay my offering and sometimes my tithes. I have a very beautiful wife at home but I had chains of girlfriend all around, a terrible liar; I was filthy in every sense of it! Most times when we closed from church service on Sunday, I dropped off my family at home and went out fornicating. I was going about with loads of sin and guilt and had no one to help me. I was constantly hearing the word of God but it did not mix with faith in my heart.

A day before this wondrous day, December 5, I had just met two new girls and I made arrangement with each of them against the next day. So, there was I on the pew waiting for the pastor to finish whatever he had to say so I could have my way with my new catches. Suddenly (I don’t know how) through the middle of the message, the word crept into my heart and I saw how filthy and helpless I was; my heart of stone was made soft and I cried for mercy. I went on my knees there and then earnestly asked for forgiveness and I was saved! By the time I stood up from my knees, my heart was full of Joy, I felt light! The load of sin and guilt was lifted off my neck and I was set free! And what work did I do? Nothing! I heard the word and I trusted (believe/have faith) in the word and I was saved!
“For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God; not of works. Lest any man should boast” (Eph 2: 8 – 9) Do you pay for gifts? No! for if you pay for a gift; it is no longer a gift. If our work can save us then the sacrifice of Christ on the cross will not be necessary. “… and without shedding of blood is no remission” Heb 9:22.

Multitudes think they are saved by their good works.

They practice penance and self-denial. They give alms and say prayers. They visit the sick and imprisoned and perform numerous long pilgrimages and afflict their bodies. And thus they expect to get to Heaven.

They work “for” salvation, whereas God tells them to work “out” their salvation. Maybe this is where the poster got it all wrong!? You can only “work out” what God has “worked in”! Salvation must be theirs first; then they can work it or live it out. The student must first enroll before he can work out his university career. You must first receive Christ and be saved; you must get salvation if you are to work it out.

What did the dying thief do to be saved? Work he could not, for his hands were nailed to a cross. He did nothing, yet Jesus saved him.
Mans’ plan of salvation emphasizes the word “do”. God’s speaks of “done”. Man insists on doing something, paying something. He wants to merit salvation. God says it is done. There is nothing to do. Jesus did it all.

Salvation, my friend, is a gift. “The gift of God is Eternal Life” (Rom 6:23). What can you do to earn a gift? If you work for it you have right to it, so then again, it is not a gift. A gift is free, and so is salvation.

What did the prodigal son pay? When you tell me how much he paid I will tell you how much you must pay. But you know he paid nothing, for he had nothing. He was bankrupt and so are you. Salvation my friend, is without money and without price. It cannot be bought!

“not by works of righteousness which we have done” (Titus 3:5)

“but to him that worketh not, but believeth on Him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness. God imputeth righteousness without works” (Rom 4: 5 – 6)

“worketh not” and “not of works”. How definite! No work of yours, no deeds of merit, nothing that you can do will avail in the least. It is Christ and Christ alone who saves. Oh that you would come to Him, and rely on His finished work on Calvary, trust Him this moment and be saved!

[center]‘Twas not my works that saved my soul
Not yet my zeal, my prayers, my tears,
‘Twas Jesus Christ, the Son of God
He bore my sins he calmed my fears.[/center]

Eben 2:

@ poster,
{1:18} For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God. {1:19} For it is written, I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, and will bring to nothing the understanding of the prudent. {1:20} Where [is] the wise? where [is] the scribe? where [is] the disputer of this world? hath not God made foolish the wisdom of this world? {1:21} For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe. {1:22} For the Jews require a sign, and the Greeks seek after wisdom: {1:23} But we preach Christ crucified, unto the Jews a stumblingblock, and unto the Greeks foolishness; 1 Cor 1:18 – 23
Anyone who tries to explain the word of the Kingdom with the wisdom and knowledge of the world will always see it as foolish and unreasonable. Please come with me with an open mind and let me explain the mystery of salvation by faith to you.
First, let me explain your quotation: "Not everyone who says to me, 'Lord, Lord,' will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only he who does the will of my Father who is in heaven" (Mt 7:21)
The writer of this article would have understood what our Lord was saying if he/she had asked a simple question: what is the will of His father? The will of our Father which is in heaven is for us to trust the redemptive work of His Son on Calvary Mat 17:5“While he yet spake, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them: and behold a voice out of the cloud, which said, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; hear ye him.” Jesus was saying, I did not come to create a religion, hence, you might be a pastor, a church worker, a morally sound person, a faithful tithe payer, one that calls him Lord, Lord yet you’ll still miss heaven. The only thing that can save is for you to trust (have faith) in my death and blood; for I’ve been offered up as sacrifice in your place. “except” He says “a man be born-again, he cannot see the Kingdom of God.”

Very brilliant post.

Eben 2:

Now, salvation by faith! hmn… let me start by giving you the testimony of how I got saved.

On that wonderful and unforgettable day – December 5 of a certain year, the Lord met and saved my condemned soul! Before that day, I was a terrible sinner though I was born and breed up in a Christian family, go to church regularly, pay my offering and sometimes my tithes. I have a very beautiful wife at home but I had chains of girlfriend all around, a terrible liar; I was filthy in every sense of it! Most times when we closed from church service on Sunday, I dropped off my family at home and went out fornicating. I was going about with loads of sin and guilt and had no one to help me. I was constantly hearing the word of God but it did not mix with faith in my heart.

A day before this wondrous day, December 5, I had just met two new girls and I made arrangement with each of them against the next day. So, there was I on the pew waiting for the pastor to finish whatever he had to say so I could have my way with my new catches. Suddenly (I don’t know how) through the middle of the message, the word crept into my heart and I saw how filthy and helpless I was; my heart of stone was made soft and I cried for mercy. I went on my knees there and then earnestly asked for forgiveness and I was saved! By the time I stood up from my knees, my heart was full of Joy, I felt light! The load of sin and guilt was lifted off my neck and I was set free! And what work did I do? Nothing! I heard the word and I trusted (believe/have faith) in the word and I was saved!
“For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God; not of works. Lest any man should boast” (Eph 2: 8 – 9) Do you pay for gifts? No! for if you pay for a gift; it is no longer a gift. If our work can save us then the sacrifice of Christ on the cross will not be necessary. “… and without shedding of blood is no remission” Heb 9:22.

Reading your post, I cannot help but sing:

Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound,
That saved a wretch like me.
I once was lost but now am found,
Was blind, but now I see.


T'was Grace that taught my heart to fear.
And Grace, my fears relieved.
How precious did that Grace appear
The hour I first believed.


Through many dangers, toils and snares
I have already come;
'Tis Grace that brought me safe thus far
and Grace will lead me home.


The Lord has promised good to me.
His word my hope secures.
He will my shield and portion be,
As long as life endures.


Yea, when this flesh and heart shall fail,
And mortal life shall cease,
I shall possess within the veil,
A life of joy and peace.

When we've been here ten thousand years
Bright shining as the sun.
We've no less days to sing God's praise
Than when we've first begun.

The Awful Truth!

[flash=500,400]http://media.chick.com/preview.swf[/flash]

@Eben. I agree with you. Though I hoped you did the right thing afterwards and also confessed your actions to your wife.
Aside from being redeemed, you must leave no room for the enemy to attack in retaliation.

@eben 2
Amen!!!Beautiful post!

5solas:

Reading your post, I cannot help but sing:

Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound,
That saved a wretch like me.
I once was lost but now am found,
Was blind, but now I see.

Amazing grace indeed brother. could you believe i sang this song for a long time this morning. I just could not fathom how He could save someone like me. I am just so happy!

2buff:

@Eben. I agree with you. Though I hoped you did the right thing afterwards and also confessed your actions to your wife.
Aside from being redeemed, you must leave no room for the enemy to attack in retaliation.

Brother, this is too great to hide! I did not just tell her. I gave my testimony to the whole congregation and I've never stopped given it whenever the opportunity presents itself. My wife has never been happier; there's a peace in my home that i never experience before i got saved.

@ Eben 2
This is just saying you can be a egotistic, mean, lazy christian and go to heaven.
It is rather repulsive to advocate for such a thing and to find so many people urging you on.

maybe you should read my third post again. you can only "work out" what God has "worked in"

work out work in
doesnt matter what you call it
you either help or not help
it is that simple
no excuses
and if you help it does not matter if it is worked sideways, it is a good thing

Eben,
You are truly among the false teachers of the end time mentioned by the same
St Paul to timothy that will deceive people with false teachings whose heart have been seared with hot iron (1timothy 4;1) Continue deceiving yourself. There's nothing like salvation by faith alone. Read your Bible very well, and stop believing your fabricated false teachings. Letters to the seven Churches in the book of revelation will open your eyes to the truth and deliver you from your illusions. Also Galatia 5; 19 -21 written by the same St Paul whose teaching you are so confused is another eye opener. I regret to say that your teaching is not from the Holy Spirit but descended from demons. Stop inducing the elect into committing spiritual fornication please. Repent and go back to the true gospel of our lord Jesus Christ; Salvation by faith and works please. If what you are professing is true, then there will be no five foolish virgins.

ogwumgbe:

Eben,
You are truly among the false teachers of the end time mentioned by the same
St Paul to timothy that will deceive people with false teachings whose heart have been seared with hot iron (1timothy 4;1) Continue deceiving yourself. There's nothing like salvation by faith alone. Read your Bible very well, and stop believing your fabricated false teachings. Letters to the seven Churches in the book of revelation will open your eyes to the truth and deliver you from your illusions. Also Galatia 5; 19 -21 written by the same St Paul whose teaching you are so confused is another eye opener. I regret to say that your teaching is not from the Holy Spirit but descended from demons.Stop inducing the elect into committing spiritual fornication please. Repent and go back to the true gospel of our lord Jesus Christ; Salvation by faith and works please. If what you are professing is true, then there will be no five foolish virgins.

Please read through the whole thread again (not just Eben's posts) and reconsider your comments.

My good friend Ogwumgbe,

As much as i dont want to argue with you; i feel a need to explain one or two things to you one more time peharps the Holy Spirit will give you more insight into the word of God.

Now, concerning the 10 virgins; ask yourself: who are they? Are they born-again christians or not? The ten virgins our Lord was talking about is actually the church. Those that have been saved and washed in the blood of the lamb. That was why they were called virgins and they were all going to meet the bridegroom. Now, the five of these ten virgins were foolish - careless; they were not well prepared for the coming of their Lord. They were supposed to work out their salvation (they were already saved) with fear and trembling but they did not. "Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; let us WATCH and be SOBER." 1Thess 5: 6.

Here lays the Word of God. You are saved by grace (unmerited favour) “not by works of righteousness which we have done” (Titus 3:5). As a sinner, i was bankrupt with nothing to offer God for the salvation of my soul. It was  not until i realised this that Christ saved my soul. Remember the prodigal son; as long as he believed he had enough to save himself, he was out of the Father's protection but once he realised how poor, filthy and unworthy he was; he was accepted back as a son.

A saved christian has an obligation to watch and pray without ceasing (i.e. work hard) because someone is out there seeking to take away his freedom. "Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour" 1 Pet 5:8. Conversely, an unsaved soul has a need to look unto God for pardon and regeneration with nothing to offer. Christ paid it all!

Shalom!

Eben 2:

My good friend Ogwumgbe,

As much as i dont want to argue with you; i feel a need to explain one or two things to you one more time peharps the Holy Spirit will give you more insight into the word of God.

Now, concerning the 10 virgins; ask yourself: who are they? Are they born-again christians or not? The ten virgins our Lord was talking about is actually the church. Those that have been saved and washed in the blood of the lamb. That was why they were called virgins and they were all going to meet the bridegroom. Now, the five of these ten virgins were foolish - careless; they were not well prepared for the coming of their Lord. They were supposed to work out their salvation (they were already saved) with fear and trembling but they did not. "Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; let us WATCH and be SOBER." 1Thess 5: 6.

Here lays the Word of God. You are saved by grace (unmerited favour) “not by works of righteousness which we have done” (Titus 3:5). As a sinner, i was bankrupt with nothing to offer God for the salvation of my soul. It was  not until i realised this that Christ saved my soul. Remember the prodigal son; as long as he believed he had enough to save himself, he was out of the Father's protection but once he realised how poor, filthy and unworthy he was; he was accepted back as a son.

A saved christian has an obligation to watch and pray without ceasing (i.e. work hard) because someone is out there seeking to take away his freedom. "Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour" 1 Pet 5:8. Conversely, an unsaved soul has a need to look unto God for pardon and regeneration with nothing to offer. Christ paid it all!

Shalom!

How I love and cherish the bolded! .

@Eben 2
virgins, Christians are so obsessed with sex. and the idea of virgins. There is nothing special about virgins. they just have not had sex. that's all. It is just sex. guys. come on.

The idea of the prodigal son, is just a sick story, to try to feign to you the idea of humility and self mortification and hate. However, this usually has the reverse effect of making christians extremely obnoxious and arrogant.

It is like the sex denial thing. We see what Catholics do.

OLAADEGBU:

The Awful Truth!

[flash=500,400]http://media.chick.com/preview.swf[/flash]

Very insightful, only got to loading and reading it today. It will be great as a thread.

Keep up the good work. Don't listen to negative comments about the cartoons, only eternity can reveal their imparts.

Galatns3:1-4;says"You Foolish Galatians!who has bewitched you?before your very eyes Jesus Christ was clearly portrayed as Crucified.i would like to learn just one thing from you;did you recieve the Spirit by observing the Law(works),or by believing what you heard(Faith)?Are you so Foolish?after begining with the Spirit,are you now trying to attain your goal by Human Effort(works)?Have you Suffered so much for Nothing-if it really was for Nothing?Does God give you His Spirit and work miracles among you because you observe the Law(works),or because you believe what you heard(Faith).
Who soever says that Salvation is Faith with works is deemed Foolish and Bewitched according  to Apostle Paul.

i.chuka:

Who soever says that Salvation is Faith with works is deemed Foolish and Bewitched according  to Apostle Paul.

So James is foolish and bewitched according to Apostle Paul.


Even Jesus himself is Foolish and bewitched according to apostle Paul.

2 Peter 3

14So then, dear friends, since you are looking forward to this, make every effort to be found spotless, blameless and at peace with him. 15Bear in mind that our Lord’s patience means salvation, just as our dear brother Paul also wrote you with the wisdom that God gave him. 16He writes the same way in all his letters, speaking in them of these matters. His letters contain some things that are hard to understand, which ignorant and unstable people distort, as they do the other Scriptures, to their own destruction.

Eben 2,
I thank the Lord God almighty that at least you personally can not twist the truth no matter how hard you try. Your own reply indicates that salvation can not be attained by faith alone. However it can be obtained by faith and works according to your explanation of the five foolish virgins. Those foolish virgins had faith but they did not accompany it with works. Also what you pointed out about being vigilant and praying hard is another good example working out one's salvation. I hope by now, you have come out from the train of salvation by faith alone to the zion train of salvation by faith + work. God bless you as you change to the right track.

"You foolish person, do you want evidence that faith without deeds is useless?"--James 2:20

Simply A New Creature

"For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God:  Not of works, lest any man should boast" (Ephesians 2:8,9).

A man dies and finds himself at the pearly gates.  An angel meets him and asks what he was doing at the gate. 

"I want to go in,"

he says. 

"Can I?,"

The angel replies,

"Here’s how it works.  You need 100 points to make it into heaven.  You tell me all the good things you’ve done, and I will give you a certain number of points for each item, depending on how good it was.  When you reach 100 points, you get in." 

"Okay?,"

the man says,

"I was married to the same woman for 50 years and never cheated on her, even in my heart." 

"That's wonderful," says the angel,

"that's worth 3 points!,"

"three points?!," the man exclaimed while wondering in his mind how he can meet up with the 100 points. 

"Well, I attended church all my life and supported its ministry with my tithes and offerings."

"terrific!," says the angel. 

"that's certainly worth a point!,"

"One point?!," he shouted. 

"I started a soup kitchen for the homeless in my city and worked in an orphanage for motherless babies." 

"Fantastic, that's good for two more points," he says. 

"Two points?!," Exasperated, the man cries,

"Well, at this rate it’ll just be by the grace of God that I ever get into heaven." 

"Bingo, 100 points!," the angel said,

"Come on in!,"

James2:14,says"What is the profit,my brothers,if anyone says he has faith,but does not have work".
In the above verse James didn't say whether this man is a believer or not,he only said that, this man says he have Faith.if he actually have Faith before God,there's no need to talk about it,the man James was talking about is a boastful man.someone that likes to print faith on his forehead for everyone to see,
James said"if anyone"he didn't say "if any Christain"James was not talking about having or not having Faith,he's not dealing with the works of Christains,but with those who say they are Christains.
James2:14;"can that faith save him" what is "that faith".James refers to "that faith" not simply faith. That is,the faith some people have on their lips,can such faith save him?(lip service).
James was actually talking about nominal church members.   
2.A rich young man came to Jesus and asked"Good Master,what good thing shall  i "DO" that i may "HAVE" Enternal Life?(Matt19:16).
Since he wants something to "DO"
our Lord Jesus mentioned somethings he must"DO"(Matt19:18-19).he Boastfully declared"All these i have kept" but within he knew something was very wrong"what do i still lack?(Matt19:20).
Christ told him to give all he had to the poor.it suddenly dawned on him that he cant "DO" to enter.(Matt19:21-22).
The camel mentioned in (Matt19:24)is our work("DOINGS".
For with man its impossible but with God all things are possible(Matt19:26).
We should stop mixing Enternal Life and the Kingdom of Heaven,let me illustrate;i am a Nigerian,because i was born a Nigerian no work from my part was involved(thats like been born again,i believe by Faith in our Lord  Jesus Christ no work was involved,immediately i have Enternal Life,thats Salvation by Faith),as a Nigerian if i want to become the president and rule the  nation i have to work for it(thats,reigning in the kingdom of Heaven,it demands our Salvation been worked out),the presidency is for four years just like the Kingdom reign is for a thousand year(Rev20:2)but Enternal Life is forever,just like after the four years am still a Nigerian.

OLAADEGBU:

The Awful Truth!

[flash=500,400]http://media.chick.com/preview.swf[/flash]

whao! this is wonderful, i actually didnt go through this comic until brother 5solas talked about it we need more of this truth. I pray God will give us more grace to speak and live it till He comes for us.

@Olaadegbu, is it possible for me to copy this on Microsoft Word? If yes, how?

5solas:

Very insightful, only got to loading and reading it today. It will be great as a thread.

Keep up the good work. Don't listen to negative comments about the cartoons, only eternity can reveal their imparts.

Eben 2:

whao! this is wonderful, i actually didnt go through this comic until brother 5solas talked about it we need more of this truth. I pray God will give us more grace to speak and live it till He comes for us.

@Olaadegbu, is it possible for me to copy this on Microsoft Word? If yes, how?

Thanks and God bless for appreciating the awful truth. Truth is bitter but it has to be taken as a pill. Only a few will be interested in viewing this but I will open a separate thread for it so that we don't divert this beautiful topic. As for copying it on Microsoft Word, I haven't got a clue. I guess some good Samaritans would help us out there.

Eben 2:

Now, salvation by faith! hmn… let me start by giving you the testimony of how I got saved.

On that wonderful and unforgettable day – December 5 of a certain year, the Lord met and saved my condemned soul! Before that day, I was a terrible sinner though I was born and breed up in a Christian family, go to church regularly, pay my offering and sometimes my tithes. I have a very beautiful wife at home but I had chains of girlfriend all around, a terrible liar; I was filthy in every sense of it! Most times when we closed from church service on Sunday, I dropped off my family at home and went out fornicating. I was going about with loads of sin and guilt and had no one to help me. I was constantly hearing the word of God but it did not mix with faith in my heart.

A day before this wondrous day, December 5, I had just met two new girls and I made arrangement with each of them against the next day. So, there was I on the pew waiting for the pastor to finish whatever he had to say so I could have my way with my new catches. Suddenly (I don’t know how) through the middle of the message, the word crept into my heart and I saw how filthy and helpless I was; my heart of stone was made soft and I cried for mercy. I went on my knees there and then earnestly asked for forgiveness and I was saved! By the time I stood up from my knees, my heart was full of Joy, I felt light! The load of sin and guilt was lifted off my neck and I was set free! And what work did I do? Nothing! I heard the word and I trusted (believe/have faith) in the word and I was saved!
“For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God; not of works. Lest any man should boast” (Eph 2: 8 – 9) Do you pay for gifts? No! for if you pay for a gift; it is no longer a gift. If our work can save us then the sacrifice of Christ on the cross will not be necessary. “… and without shedding of blood is no remission” Heb 9:22.

Praise the Lord, Hallelujah!!!

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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tpz8PMcRJSY[/flash]