November 7th - Is Salvation the Result of Doing Something?

“God created man in His own image, in the image of God He created him; male and female He created them…The LORD God planted a garden toward the east, in Eden; and there He placed the man whom He had formed.” (Genesis 1:7; 2:8)

There are certain things God does for humanity just because He can and wants to - creating Adam, making him a wife, and putting them in a garden paradise was the first one of those things we are told about in Scripture.

On the other hand, there are certain things that God will do for people only if they do the things He says must be done, like blow trumpets and march around the walls of Jericho seven times to get it to fall down.

“…on the seventh day you shall march around the city seven times, and the priests shall blow the trumpets. It shall be that when they make a long blast with the ram’s horn, and when you hear the sound of the trumpet, all the people shall shout with a great shout; and the wall of the city will fall down flat...by faith the walls of Jericho fell down after they were encircled for seven days.” (Joshua 6:4-7; Hebrews 11:30)

So, my question is…Does God save people because He wants to, or if they do certain things?

“…Christ has been raised from the dead, the first fruits of those who are asleep…for as in Adam all die, so also in Christ all will be made alive…the last enemy that will be abolished is death…so that God may be all in all.” (1 Corinthians 15:20-28)

The Bible clearly says Christ Jesus will save and reconcile humanity to God. Again, God has determined He wants to save the world, and gave Jesus the power to do so. 

“He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, so that He Himself will come to have first place in everything. For it was the Father’s good pleasure for all the fullness to dwell in Him, and through Him to reconcile ALL to Himself, having made peace through the blood of His cross; through Him, I say, whether things on earth or things in heaven. And although you were formerly alienated and hostile in mind, engaged in evil deeds, yet He has now reconciled you in His fleshly body through death, in order to present you before Him holy and blameless and beyond reproach.” (Colossians 1:18-22)

"It is a trustworthy statement deserving full acceptance. For it is for this we labor and strive, because we have set our hope on the living God, who is the Savior of all mankind, especially of believers. Prescribe and teach these things." (1 Timothy 4:9-11)

God also says there are some things human are to do to be saved...believe and call on the name of the Lord.

"If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved. As Scripture says, “Anyone who believes in him will never be put to shame.” For there is no difference between Jew and Gentile—the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses all who call on him, for, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” (Romans 10:9-13)

So, how do we harmonize this scripture with the truth that God will save all mankind? Well, we read other Scripture and deny the false teaching of religious men. Religious men say that believing and calling upon the name of the Lord must be done BEFORE WE DIE. That must be false because Scripture clearly says that...

"...at the name of Jesus EVERY KNEE WILL BOW, of those who are in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and that every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. So then, my beloved, just as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling; for it is God who is at work in you, both to desire and to work for His good pleasure." (Philippians 2:10-13)

After death, all of us must appear before God to give account. It is then that all who have not previously done so will profess "Jesus is Lord" and will believe "that God raised Him from the dead" and it then that all will be saved.  

Again, God will save humanity, all of us, because He wants to and will provide the time and place for all to do what is necessary - believe and call upon Him!  

I would save my children if I could - and God can!