One of the first Truths we hear as children in the Institutional Church is that “Salvation is not free,” that Jesus paid the ultimate sacrifice for our eternity. Though this is true, it is not the only Truth relative to the “cost” of our conversion, which is mistakenly called “salvation.” The reason for this deadly mistake is that man believes that the sacrifice made by the Messiah is the only price that must be paid. Nothing could be further from the Truth. Billions of believers have gone to their graves and billions more are living now “knowing” that all that has been done is all that needs to be done relative to their salvation. The price Jesus paid can take us from being a sinner to being converted (turned around). Thanks to Satan, we are not told that what we do following conversion determines whether we will inherit salvation upon Christ’s return. Simply believing that He died for us will have no effect on our eternity. Faith is only the first step on the journey to salvation. In James 2:14 we find the Lord addressing this Truth: “What does it prophet, my brethren, though a man say he has faith, and have not WORKS? Can his faith same him?” No, as the entire Bible proclaims. Though the first step on a journey is important, it does not get us to where we want to go. There are many more steps (works) to be taken.

Several times in the recent past I have heard people say that they know they are right with God because, “I know Jesus Christ.” That, we are led to believe by Satan’s false prophets, is all that is necessary to guarantee salvation. However, God tells us in 1 John 2:3,4: “And we hereby know that we know Him IF we keep His commandments. He that says, ‘I know Him’ and does not keep His commandments is a LIAR and the Truth (God’s Word-Jn. 17:17) is not in him.”  Revelation 21:8 tells us that ALL LIARS will be thrown into the Lake of Fire. This verse highlights the company a liar keeps in this life: the fearful, unbelieving, abominable, murders, whoremongers, sorcerers and idolaters. An idolater breaks the most important commandment in the Law. All liars (note the word ALL before “liars”) ARE AS GUILTY AS THOSE WHO PLACE ANOTHER GOD BEFORE THE TRUE GOD.

Such people call themselves “sinners saved by grace.” They are liars by God’s definition, for  THERE IS NO SUCH THING AS A SAVED SINNER. In the first place, no one is saved in this life. In this life one who renders unto God the things that are God’s has been converted, not saved. Whether the convert becomes saved at Christ’s Second Advent depends on what takes place between conversion and His return. It is during this time, whether days or decades, that one renders unto God what is owed Him. Christ has done His part. Now it is our turn to do our part. It is during this time that we show God that we are worthy of eternal life. That worthiness involves persecution (see Persecution). Persecution is always as physical as the law will allow. I am alive today because the U.S. Constitution allows me to speak my heart without physical harm. My predecessors were not treated so well. The prophets, Jesus, the Apostles and many other saints were burned alive, sawn in two, stabbed to death, beheaded, crucified, etc. Today’s persecution is nothing compared to the treatment received by those men of God. People are aghast when they watch Muslims behead people, burn them alive, drown them, etc. because of their religion. Get ready, dear reader, those days will return. Only those who have been taken to a place of safety will survive the slaughter. Whether one will be taken there depends on one’s rendering unto God the things owed Him. And even then, we are told in the Scriptures, some will be required to pay the ultimate price for their obedience to God, as did Abel, the prophets, Jesus, the apostles and many others. Though the cost can be ultimate, the payoff will be worth it. L.J.