How does it work for believers in the Kingdom program?
The Kingdom gospel in Jesus’ day was a works-based gospel. In other words, the Jews would believe in Jesus as his Messiah, but then he would have to add works to his faith by repentance, water baptism, Spirit baptism, obeying the commandments, forgiving his brother, selling all his possessions, and enduring to the end. These ‘works’ would prove his faith and commitment to his Messiah and he would qualify for the Kingdom.
Matthew 6:15 But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.
Luke 9:62 And Jesus said unto him, No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God.
Hebrews 10:26 For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins, 27 But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries. 28 He that despised Moses' law died without mercy under two or three witnesses:
2Pet.2:20 For if after they have escaped the pollutions of the world through the knowledge of the Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ, they are again entangled therein, and overcome, the latter end is worse with them than the beginning. 21 For it had been better for them not to have known the way of righteousness, than, after they have known it, to turn from the holy commandment delivered unto them.
The above verses are just a few of many that indicate that a Jewish believer had to endure in his faith. If he wanes from his faith, and stops believing, he would not be fit for the Kingdom, and would be rejected and not enter into salvation. You see, in the Kingdom gospel, the believer is saved by his OWN faith and by his OWN works.
But what about the believer in the dispensation of grace?
One must understand that the dispensation of grace operates according to a different doctrine and a different administration as compared to the Kingdom. Paul, the apostle of the Gentiles, tells us clearly in the letter to the Romans, and other locations, that in grace we cannot forfeit our salvation. Why? Because salvation is not dependent on our faith or our works, but Christ’s faith and works. All we need to do is believe in Jesus. We need to place our trust in the cross; his death, burial, and resurrection. Simply belief in Jesus is all you need to be saved. (See Acts 16:30-31 and 1Cor.15:1-4)
Below are some additional verses to prove that salvation in grace is secure.
- Romans 5:1 tells us that we are justified by God’s decree by believing in His Son.
- Ephesians 1:13-14 tells us that we are marked by God and sealed into Christ by the Holy Spirit.
- Romans 8:30 tells us that those who are justified will be glorified. According to Romans 5:1, justification is ours at the moment of faith. According to Romans 8:30, glorification comes with justification.
- Romans 8:38–39 tells us that nothing can separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus. Nothing is as absolute as can come.
Lastly, the following verses tell us that we are saved by the faith OF Christ, not our own faith. Unlike in the Kingdom gospel, were a Jew was to keep his faith and prove it by works, a grace believer, having believed the gospel puts his trust in the faith OF Christ and the cross-works OF Christ. We have nothing to prove to God. All that Christ did is accredited to us by imputation. This is God’s grace in action.
Gal.2:16 Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified.
Gal.2:20 I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me.
Php.3:9 And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith:
I always say, “if God says it, that settles it!”. God said that we are saved and sealed into salvation when we believe His Son. God said that He saves us by what His Son did on the cross. God’ has decreed that His grace and love for us through Christ will never end. If God said that, then what can I do to change God’s mind? A grace believer cannot lose salvation. Most, if not all, of what the Bible says happens to us when we receive Christ would be invalidated if salvation could be lost. Salvation is the gift of God, and God’s gifts are “irrevocable”, Romans 11:29.
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