Lesson 2808

(Lesson 2808)(09-01-19) Romans 4:4-5
    “Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt. But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.”
 
  There is ONLY ONE thing that God demands of those who wish to rejoin with Him in heaven. That ONE requirement is total righteousness. Without total righteousness a lost soul CANNOT enter into the kingdom of God.
    As Paul made so vividly clear in the lessons of the last few days, and is so clearly established througout the New Testament, the ONLY way to achieve total righteousness is through faith in the virgin born life, death, burial, resurrection and ascension of our Lord Jesus Christ relying upon His righteousness which is imputed into those who believe by faith.
    Paul made it clear that one cannot achieve righteousness by obeying the rules of God’s laws to the Jews, nor can one achieve righteousness by simply “being good”. Jesus said, “There is none good but the Father”.
    Today’s quote. To me, it is one of the clearest explanations of how faith is the only means by which a lost soul can gain everlasting life.
    Anyone who has basic knowledge of God’s word, at all, should already know that eternal salvation CANNOT be earned because it is a gift. Gifts aren’t earned, they are given freely. “For by grace (a gift) are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the GIFT of God: NOT OF WORKS, lest any man should boast”. (Ephesians 2:8-9)
    In today’s quote, Paul explained that if one works for a payment then by example, that payment cannot be a gift.
    This less can especially be applied to those who believe that water baptism is a requirement for eternal salvation. That is because, in order to be baptized in water one must physically take part, making water baptism, again by example, a “work”. Salvation is, “NOT OF WORKS”.~
NOTE: This important series of lessons will continue tomorrow.