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8 For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, 9 not of works, lest anyone should boast. 10 For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them. ” (Ephesians 2:8–10, NKJV)
The reformed guys sometimes create the impression that they think salvation is about signing the perfect set of doctrines. This not completely wrong because we are not saved IF WE BELIEVE in Jesus but BY WHAT we believe about Jesus.
WHAT you BELIEVE is integrated into what you UNDERSTAND COMPREHEND and LOVE. It automatically flows out into behaviour which is WORKS.
18 “Therefore hear the parable of the sower: 19 When anyone hears the word of the kingdom, and does not understand it, then the wicked one comes and snatches away what was sown in his heart. …………………….
23 But he who received seed on the good ground is he who hears the word and understands it, who indeed bears fruit and produces: some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty.” ” (Matthew 13:18–23, NKJV)
Diligence Required
UNDERSTANDING comes only by diligent STUDY and EXERCISE which leads to growth in MATURITY. see Heb 5
FAITH means you KNOW and UNDERSTAND and DO, exactly WHAT Jesus KNOWS and UNDERSTANDS and DOES.
Many Christians claim that they believe in Jesus and that they believe in the Bible yet they do not KNOW the Bible and certainly do not DO the BIBLE. That is a dangerous and reckless game which inevitably ends in tears.
Sound Doctrine
We must KNOW and BELIEVE sound doctrine. Good intentions and some inconsistent engagement with church is not the way to salvation and glorification.
We are saved in detail and each revelation you have about Christ and His Kingdom causes you be KNOW something that changes your actions, behaviour, and habits. This transformation is called salvation.
Apostles Doctrine
40 And with many other words he testified and exhorted them, saying, “Be saved from this perverse generation.” 41 Then those who gladly received his word were baptized; and that day about three thousand souls were added to them. 42 And they continued steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers. 43 Then fear came upon every soul, and many wonders and signs were done through the apostles. 44 Now all who believed were together, and had all things in common, 45 and sold their possessions and goods, and divided them among all, as anyone had need. 46 So continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, they ate their food with gladness and simplicity of heart, 47 praising God and having favor with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily those who were being saved. ” (Acts 2:40–47, NKJV)
Give Attention to Reading, to Exhortation, to Doctrine
13 Till I come, give attention to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine. 14 Do not neglect the gift that is in you, which was given to you by prophecy with the laying on of the hands of the eldership. 15 Meditate on these things; give yourself entirely to them, that your progress may be evident to all. 16 Take heed to yourself and to the doctrine. Continue in them, for in doing this you will save both yourself and those who hear you. ” (1 Timothy 4:13–16, NKJV)
Rebuke, Exhort and Teach
I charge you therefore before God and the Lord Jesus Christ, who will judge the living and the dead at His appearing and His kingdom: 2 Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching. 3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, because they have itching ears, they will heap up for themselves teachers; 4 and they will turn their ears away from the truth, and be turned aside to fables. 5 But you be watchful in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry. ” (2 Timothy 4:1–5, NKJV)
Elders must Exhort and Convict by Sound Doctrine
9 holding fast the faithful word as he has been taught, that he may be able, by sound doctrine, both to exhort and convict those who contradict. ” (Titus 1:9, NKJV)
