FIVE OBSERVATIONS ABOUT SALVATION

1. If I continue in my sin, rebellion, unbelief and rejection of Christ as my Lord and Savior, and die in my sins, it is a condition I deserve. (Pr. 1:23-33). It will be my own responsibility. But if I am saved, taken to heaven, and live for ever in God's glory and holiness, it will be the result of God's work alone.

2. Death, eternal separation from God, is the result of deliberate effort on my part. I do not read in the Bible of anyone going to hell for Adam's sin. We are guilty of original sin. By it we are born with an evil heart, and deserve to go to hell. But in the Word of God we are taught every man will be judged for his own works. (II Cor. 5:10). If I go to hell it will be the result of deliberate effort on my part. But salvation and eternal life is the result of deliberate effort on God's part. (II Tim. 1:9).

3. Eternal wrath and condemnation is the just wage of my sin and guilt. But eternal salvation is the gift of God's grace in Christ, (Rom. 6:23).

4. There is nothing that keeps a man out of heaven but his own unwillingness to bow to Christ and receive him as Lord and Savior. (Mt. 23:37; John 5:40, 6:37-40, 7:37-38). If I miss heaven it will be because of my own sinful and willful unbelief. There is nothing that keeps a man out of heaven but his own will. But there is nothing that keeps a man out of hell but God's will. (Rom. 9:15-16).

5. Any man who is saved by the grace of God will justify God in his own condemnation. (Ps. 51:l-5).