Salvation is not accompanied with a simple check mark or a short prayer, but with self-sacrifice, self-denial, persecution and obedience to God. Therefore, the only thing worse than a medieval church selling salvation to the highest bidder is a modern church peddling it as cheap wares to the lowest.
HT – - Cry for Repentance
“Salvation is not accompanied with a simple check mark or a short prayer.”
I don’t know about a check mark, but, actually, while salvation is not ACCOMPLISHED with a short prayer, it IS quite often ACCOMPANIED by a short prayer. Just ask the thief on the Cross (the one who is with the Lord even unto this day.)
“Salvation is… accompanied with … self-sacrifice, self-denial, persecution and obedience to God.”
Yes, it is, or at least these are often the subsequent RESULTS of true salvation. But saved people – truly regenerated believers on Christ Jesus unto true salvation – quite often fail to be self-sacrificing and self-denying. They often cower in the face of persecution, and the most spiritual Christian on earth is not “accompanied” by true obedience to God nearly as often as he or she is commanded to be.
Peddling salvation as cheap wares is a terrible thing. So is the medieval teaching that the observation of outward holiness is better “proof” of salvation than God’s Own Word.
Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted. Bear ye one another’s burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ. For if a man think himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceiveth himself.” Galatians 6:1-3
In all fairness, I don’t think the author meant we walk 100% in self-sacrifice, self-denial, persecution and obedience to God. Those who belong to Christ will indeed walk in self-denial, self-sacrifice, and obedience more often than not.
As for holiness, it is NEVER outward. Holiness is an inner work that manifests itself outwardly. It is proof of genuine salvation…no new creation, no real conversion.