Salvation Doesn't Work Alone

Please do not be dismayed by the title. It seems there are some people who do not understand that becoming a Christian does not cure all. I hope that does not sound like I am being disrespectful. If you think about this, we know that when we become saved, we confess our sins and ask Jesus to come into our hearts but that does not fix our human nature of free will and we must control certain things in our life. There is not a scripture anywhere that will tell you all of your worries are over and life will be without problems from here on. The scripture does not tell us that we do everything right from now on. We will make mistakes and fall down sometimes but we have His words to revive us and we learn from our faltering. In fact let me give you some scripture which indicates anything but the aforementioned.

"Thou shalt also consider in thine heart, that, as a man chastenth his son, so the Lord thy God chastenth thee". De 8:5 KJV

This scripture tells us that sometimes "He" is going to have to put us back in place because we have possibly made some errors along the way which needs our attention. We have done something that is not according to His word and that somehow we did not seek Him when we might should have. This reminds us that we have to work along with the Lord to keep "us" in line with His teachings.

"Behold, happy is the man whom God correcteth; therefore, despise not thou the chastening of the Almighty". Job 5:17

"Sorrow is better than laughter: for by the sadness of the countenance the heart is made better. Ec: 7:3

"Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love Him. Jam 1:12

"Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. Ps 23:4

"There is no temptation taken you but such as is common to man but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it. 1Cor. 10.13.

From these scriptures it is evident that we are going to have problems after we become Christians, just like we did before. It is part of life and we will be tempted and we must be strong enough to withstand our trials and temptations when they come.

I believe it is our duty to study and become strong in our Salvation; so that we can help ourselves in the process of standing firm on our belief and not falter unnecessarily. We can't leave it all up to God or Jesus, we have to make sure that we have the fruit of the spirit which is: "But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy,peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance: against such there is no law". Galatians 5:22.23

This scripture tells us what qualities we must have to fin off the works of the flesh which we daily have to deal with. We can't live in this world without them. Greater is He that is in me than He that is of the world....We have to work, read, pray, and seek to know God and His will every day...not just on Sunday.

Sometimes we get caught up in life and forget it takes a daily walk with the Savior to stay and keep us where we need to be.

"For if a man think himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceiveth himself". Gal 6:3

We do not become better than others just because we are saved. It is our duty to have compassion and love for others and not push ourselves on someone who does not believe but through love share His many blessings and with humility.

"Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves".  Phil 2: 3

"Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things".  Phil:  4:8

This tells us what we need to think about and it tells us what a Christian life is about.  We are living in a world of confusion at this time in history but we have hope if we keep our trust in Him.  The scripture states that every knee shall bow and every tongue shall confess that Jesus Christ is Lord. 

I believe that our thoughts can discourage us; it is evident by the scripture that we must guard our thoughts and protect our relationship with Him and become stronger with each day.