Theme: STRIVE TO BE SAVED
INTRODUCTION
Since the salvation of God is of grace, why then would the greatest Teacher of all times charge believers to still put in effort to obtain it? Since eternal life is God’s gift, of what need is there for one to struggle for it?
One of the profound features of God’s word is that it is devoid of any form of contradiction. True to St. Paul’s epistle in Ephesians 2:8, Salvation is God’s prerogative. However, his statement in verse 9 “Not of works, lest any man should boast” does not in any way rule out good works as a prerequisite hence his exhortation in Titus 3:8 to the effect that all who have “believed in God might be careful to maintain good works.” So, it is God’s expectation that all who have received His grace should justify it by proving themselves worthy of same.
In the following weeks, we shall expound on Christ’s response to a question put forth to him, to wit: “…are there few that be saved?” – Luke 13:23.
Text: “And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.” – Romans 12:2.
Comment: What a colossal loss it would be for anyone to be rejected on the day of decision on the ground that his services in God’s superior assessment were not “reasonable” because they did not conform to His will? True conversion and holiness are manifest in renewing one’s thoughts and actions to align with God’s standard. It is a total turnaround from evil inclination to a life patterned after the statutes of God. – Psalm 19:7; 119:5,9-11.
In his epistle to the Christians in Rome, Apostle Paul implored them to aspire for holiness because God Who has called them is holy. God desires that His children should be holy (Leviticus 11:44). His Son, Jesus Christ is holy (Luke 1:35; Psalm 16:10; Mark 1:24). During his first advent, Jesus Christ told a Samaritan woman: “God is a spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.” – John 4:24.
At all times, Christian converts should do those things that please God, the opposite of which is personal righteousness (Romans 10:1-3) which has no reward from God. One who is aiming at everlasting life should not allow himself to be ruled by carnality (1 Peter 1:4) but should instead allow Bible principles and tenets be his life manual. One who strives to achieve this could be said to be offering unto God, a “reasonable service” which in God’s time will never go unrewarded by His grace.