•3:01 PM
It is contended by some that persons with good morals, respectable citizens with clean lives, can go to heaven regardless of their relationship to Christianity.
We briefly note that if this were true:
- Man could have been saved without Christ's coming into the world; but he came to save (John 3:17 -> For God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved.)
- One could be saved apart from Christ's stripes; but we are healed by his stripes (I Peter 2:24 -> who Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree, that we, having died to sins, might live for righteousness-by whose stripes you were healed)
- A person could have been saved without the death of Christ; but he died for our sins (I Corinthians 15:3 ->For I delivered to you first of all that which I also received: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures)
- Man could have been justified without he resurrection of Christ; but he was raised for our Justification ( Romans 4:25 ->who was delivered up because of our offenses, and was raised because of our justification)
- We could be redeemed apart from the blood; but we have our redemption through his blood (Ephesians 1:7 -> In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace)
- Men could please God without faith; but without faith it's impossible to please God (Hebrews 11:6 ->But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.)
- One could be saved without repenting; but those who repent not shall perish (Luke 13:3-> I tell you, no; but unless you repent you will all likewise perish)
- Man could deny Christ and be saved; but those who deny Christ shall be denied before the Father (Matthew 10:32-> Therefore whoever confesses Me before men, him I will also confess before My Father who is in heaven)
- A person could be saved without baptism; but baptism saves (I Peter 3:20, 21-> who formerly were disobedient, when once the Divine longsuffering waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was being prepared, in which a few, that is, eight souls, were saved through water. There is also an antitype which now saves us-baptism (not the removal of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God), through the resurrection of Jesus Christ)
- Men could be saved without being born again; but men must be born again to see the kingdom of God (John 3:5 ->Jesus answered, "Most assuredly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God.")
- We could be saved without obeying the gospel; but Christ will render vengeance to them that obey not the gospel ( II Thessalonians 1:8 -> 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.)
- Man could be saved without being converted; but he must be converted to enter into the kingdom of heaven (Matthew 18:3 -> and said, "Assuredly, I say to you, unless you are converted and become as little children, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven.)
