Question:

Today I received Christ in my heart as my savior, and I accept it…today I was saved…salvation only by this? What about to have good actions, and to be good? According to what I understand only to repeat the famous prayer that each evangelical says to repent his or her sins and accept Christ and he or she is saved…how is that? What about James when he says faith without deeds is dead?

My Reply:

First, congratulations on accepting Jesus! I'm happy to call you my brother (or sister)!

Second, I can see you're reading your Bible! That's good...so is asking questions about the things you're reading in it.

Accepting Jesus as Lord and Savior means to accept His invitation and free gift of salvation, thus renouncing your sins and sinful life; Accepting Jesus as your Lord is to accept Jesus as God and your new owner. Also with that, though, you're entering into a relationship with God through Jesus Christ.

James' letter was addressing Christians who would often figure that since they've accepted Jesus and received the Holy Spirit, they're set, and didn't move forward in their faith (you'll see such "Christians" today, too). But you can't lay idle. Faith without works is dead, in the same way that if you plant a seed for an apple tree, but the seed never grows up into that intended tree. You need to serve others, demonstrate Christ in your actions, and let the Holy Spirit transform you from within.

As for being saved, yeah, salvation only by believing, repenting, and asking Jesus in. That's it.

The good actions and such begin as you read the Bible (as I see you have begun to do), which not only tells you about Jesus and God's work in the lives of humans since the beginning, but it also gives a place for Jesus to come and fellowship with you (and you've been doing that also).

Prayer is important, for it's your God's means of communication with you, and you with Him. Some people think it's just about you talking and telling Him what you need help with, but prayer is supposed to be a 2-way streak...you listen, too.

Church is needed, for it's a gathering with other Christians, as well as a means to get involved with service and a Christian community. And not just church services on Sundays, but it's also good to get involved with ministries throughout the week, such as small groups and Bible studies.

And if you haven't yet been baptized, you need to do so, for it's what unites you with the Body of Christ (the family of God...the Church).

As for your additional details, the Holy Spirit changes your desires. Yes, we can "technically" do whatever we want, but as Paul mentioned in 1 Corinthians, not everything is good for us. Also, the Holy Spirit directs us to doing that which glorifies God, which is our new mission in life. For example, you'll notice some things you used to enjoy doing that you're not into anymore. As Paul said in Romans 8:5, "Those who live according to the sinful nature have their minds set on what that nature desires; but those who live in accordance with the Spirit, have their minds set on what the Spirit desires."

Feel free to email me in the future if you have any questions.

---Pastor Andy

Faith Alone?

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Question:

Many Christians claim that "faith alone" saves and that there's no need to lead a righteous life. I just want to ask them all, "are you sure you shall be saved?" I am more than sure that their case will be worse than that of atheists. They're just using Jesus to promote sin! They think that a simple faith in Jesus is the greatest thing a person can do on earth; it is by "GRACE" a person is saved and not by "FAITH". If a person is to receive God's grace, he should be righteous and should be following the words of God. By following the words of God alone one can prove his "faith" in God. It is not "knowing" Jesus' sacrifice that saves, but following the path he has shown that leads to salvation by grace of God through Jesus. Unless there is true faith (evidenced by following Jesus' words), no one can attain salvation. God is a righteous God and he loves righteousness.
The criminal who died with Jesus and saved is an example for a person receiving God's grace through repentance. It was his repenting mind that brought him salvation; not his faith. Faith without repentance and obedience means nothing. Hence, do not mislead people by letting them live in sin without fear of God since Jesus has died for them. No one shall be saved that way; the sacrifice of Christ is for those who truly repent and obey God.

My Reply:

My friend, I hear you, but I think you've combined salvation and discipleship into one. We are saved by grace through faith in Christ Jesus. But it doesn't stop there, and this is what I believe you're arguing.

Dietrich Bonhoeffer has a book called "The Cost of Discipleship", that I think you'll like, for it talks about this. Many Christians today promote what Bonhoeffer calls "cheap grace". They accept Jesus, but continue in their sinful ways. They figure they're saved, nothing can harm them, back to business. But this isn't what salvation's about.
Salvation in Christ is what Bonhoeffer called "costly grace", for to be called by Christ is to be called to come and die...to follow in His footsteps, even to the cross (if needed).
I did a Bible study the other day where I learned that the word used for Peter's denial of Jesus is the same word that's used for when Jesus said that in order to be His disciple, one must first deny himself. Same word, same type of denial, same impact. Those who practice costly grace understand this. Those who practice cheap grace might say they do this and agree with you, but obviously don't practice it.

James said faith without works is dead, and one of the main frustrations in the early Church was idle Christians. Unfortunately, we still have a similar problem in the Church today.

So yeah, you're on target, but I think you need to reword your question. Check out that book, too (linked below).

---Pastor Andy