Being saved and going to heaven are not the same thing.
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Being saved and going to heaven are not the same thing. -
June 12th, 2012, 01:45 PM
A lot of confusion is caused when salvation is equated with going to heaven.
Jesus spoke of salvation as being set free from the power and bondage of indwelling sin. This is what is available to us in this life, the ability through the Holy Spirit to be victors over sin. This salvation includes the forgiveness of our sins, but it is so much more. In him, we have access to very nature and life of God so that we can begin to live in strength and joy rather than defeat.
The concept of our eternal destiny is another issue entirely. That will be determined at judgment, and it will be based on whether or not we have lived faithfully. This is the salvation (from the second death) that is yet to be revealed. A salvation without reference to sin.
So at the present we have a salvation in Christ that sets us free from the rule of sin. But in the future (at judgment) we may or may not receive our salvation from the second death. And there is no guarantee that having been saved in the present we will automatically be granted salvation into heaven. God will make that determination based on whether or not we have lived by faith.
If we do not recognize that there is both a present and a future salvation, then a number of passages will seem contradictory. But if we understand this distinction we can begin to see that while we have been saved by grace (in the present, from the rule of sin), our future salvation (which will determine our eternal destiny) is very much dependent on how we live. Whether we continue in faith or not is up to us, and God has clearly stated that it is the faithful who will be rewarded but the unfaithful will be separated from him forever.
Salvation in Christ is both a present reality and a future promise, if we faithfully abide in him. But to regard the concept of present salvation as being synonymous with going to heaven will result in confusion and misunderstanding that can have eternal consequences.
Being saved and going to heaven are not the same thing. -
June 12th, 2012, 03:02 PM
A lot of confusion is caused when salvation is equated with going to heaven.
Jesus spoke of salvation as being set free from the power and bondage of indwelling sin. This is what is available to us in this life, the ability through the Holy Spirit to be victors over sin. This salvation includes the forgiveness of our sins, but it is so much more. In him, we have access to very nature and life of God so that we can begin to live in strength and joy rather than defeat.
The concept of our eternal destiny is another issue entirely. That will be determined at judgment, and it will be based on whether or not we have lived faithfully. This is the salvation (from the second death) that is yet to be revealed. A salvation without reference to sin.
So at the present we have a salvation in Christ that sets us free from the rule of sin. But in the future (at judgment) we may or may not receive our salvation from the second death. And there is no guarantee that having been saved in the present we will automatically be granted salvation into heaven. God will make that determination based on whether or not we have lived by faith.
If we do not recognize that there is both a present and a future salvation, then a number of passages will seem contradictory. But if we understand this distinction we can begin to see that while we have been saved by grace (in the present, from the rule of sin), our future salvation (which will determine our eternal destiny) is very much dependent on how we live. Whether we continue in faith or not is up to us, and God has clearly stated that it is the faithful who will be rewarded but the unfaithful will be separated from him forever.
Salvation in Christ is both a present reality and a future promise, if we faithfully abide in him. But to regard the concept of present salvation as being synonymous with going to heaven will result in confusion and misunderstanding that can have eternal consequences.
Location: On a sea of glass mixed with fire in front of a throne.
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June 12th, 2012, 03:45 PM
Going to heaven is a Greek myth that has been adapted as a Christian belief.
Our eternal destiny is either living forever on earth or being permanently destroyed in the lake of fire.
Going to heaven is a Greek myth that has been adapted as a Christian belief.
Our eternal destiny is either living forever on earth or being permanently destroyed in the lake of fire.
Being SAVED "IS" BEING IN CHRIST, GOD, AND IN HEAVEN. That's what being saved "IS"!!!!!!
Paul -- 061212
---Gal. 4:16.
---"Am I therefore become your enemy because I tell you the truth"???
Romans 13:11
11And that, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed.
Salvation is coming to those that believe.
Ephesians 2:6 KJV -----///--- That was during Paul's time and "NOW", not some time in the future now!! Paul said, HATH / "HATH" RAISED / "RAIS'ED" ( us ) up together, and MADE ( US ) SIT TOGETHER IN "HEAVENLY PLACES" IN CHRIST JESUS!! -- Christ "IS" in Heaven!! - That's what G-O-D said!! - Not what some man thinks God meant!!
I'm awake and in Christ in a Heavenly Place!! What do any of you think a Heavenly Place "IS"????
Paul -- 061212
---Gal. 4:16.
---"Am I therefore become your enemy because I tell you the truth"???
We actually don't go to heaven; rather heaven and earth are remade and then God comes and dwells with us on earth, ruling us directly.
If you have material wealth, but do not give to those in need, then the love of God is not in you. Whatever you have done for the least of these you have done for HIM. To give to the poor is to lend to the LORD.
Believers don't have a second death. Have you heard about the Holy Spirit? He is our guarantee.
Ephesian 1:11-14
11 In him we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose of him who works all things according to the counsel of his will, 12 so that we who were the first to hope in Christ might be to the praise of his glory. 13 In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, 14 who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of his glory.
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Your faith is what you believe in and by their fruit you shall know them
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June 13th, 2012, 04:03 AM
Quote:
Originally Posted by reasoner
A lot of confusion is caused when salvation is equated with going to heaven.
Jesus spoke of salvation as being set free from the power and bondage of indwelling sin. This is what is available to us in this life, the ability through the Holy Spirit to be victors over sin. This salvation includes the forgiveness of our sins, but it is so much more. In him, we have access to very nature and life of God so that we can begin to live in strength and joy rather than defeat.
The concept of our eternal destiny is another issue entirely. That will be determined at judgment, and it will be based on whether or not we have lived faithfully. This is the salvation (from the second death) that is yet to be revealed. A salvation without reference to sin.
So at the present we have a salvation in Christ that sets us free from the rule of sin. But in the future (at judgment) we may or may not receive our salvation from the second death. And there is no guarantee that having been saved in the present we will automatically be granted salvation into heaven. God will make that determination based on whether or not we have lived by faith.
If we do not recognize that there is both a present and a future salvation, then a number of passages will seem contradictory. But if we understand this distinction we can begin to see that while we have been saved by grace (in the present, from the rule of sin), our future salvation (which will determine our eternal destiny) is very much dependent on how we live. Whether we continue in faith or not is up to us, and God has clearly stated that it is the faithful who will be rewarded but the unfaithful will be separated from him forever.
Salvation in Christ is both a present reality and a future promise, if we faithfully abide in him. But to regard the concept of present salvation as being synonymous with going to heaven will result in confusion and misunderstanding that can have eternal consequences.
This is a very good post and you did not learn this from being taught by some man.
As I have always said if you are still sinning you have not been saved from anything.
When Jesus said those who did not believe were condemned already He was not speaking of the next life because that is not determined for anyone until after we die. What Jesus was saying is, without believing on Him and receiving the Holy Spirit to live our lives by instead of the spirit man that has the indwelling sin living within it, we are condemned to living a life controled by the desire to sin.
Been baptized in the Holy Spirit is the 1st step towards gaining the mind of Christ that could be called gaining the soul of Christ.
The spirit of man (Adam) along with the soul of man (Eve) are both condemned to death. However through the Holy Spirit that we have been given the earnest of (partial payment) we can receive the rest of the payment that is the soul who is the wife for the Holy Spirit already within us.
Blessings to you and yours
Doug
Please read and support: "Modern Day Prophet" by Douglas Duncan
Actually, the Holy Spirit is our seal (mark) and our guarantee is based on being in Him. But whether or not we remain in Him is up to us. If we do remain we can count on the guarantee. If we don't we can't. Faithfulness is the key and it is not guaranteed.
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