Something really interesting came up in my facebook memories. It is a short post from a fellow gospel preacher about salvation sans obedience. I hope you will tune in and participate in the livestream. I also hope you will share the livestream with your friends through social media.
From Todd Clippard:
I was reading a book about principles of interpretation, and the author noted the fallacy of interpreting the teachings of Jesus through the teachings of Paul. More accurately, interpreting Jesus through the Calvinistic interpretation of Paul's writings, particularly Romans.
People teach salvation by grace without obedience because they believe what Calvin said about Romans more than what Paul said about obedience in the epistle (Rom 1:5, 6:3-5, 17; 16:26).
It might surprise some to know that Jesus never spoke a syllable about salvation by grace, but He spoke repeatedly and emphatically about salvation by obedience (Matt 7:21-27; Luke 6:46; John 14:21). One will never read the teachings of Jesus and conclude that man can be saved without obeying God. Yet, Calvinists teach this very error, condemning as heresy the very doctrines taught by our Lord.
What did Jesus say about obedience and salvation in Mark 16:16? Specifically, He said, "He who believes and is baptized shall be saved." Why is this so hard to understand? Yet, many want to argue from silence in the latter half of the same verse, "He who does not believe shall be condemned." They say, Jesus didn't say "he who is baptized not shall be lost."
Friend, this verse consists of two independent clauses, meaning each one stands alone with neither affecting the meaning of the other. Concerning the latter half of this verse, it teaches what I need to do to be lost. Let me assure you that I am not the least bit interested in being lost! Been there, done that.
What did Jesus say in this verse about being saved? Rather than make foolish arguments over what Jesus did not say, why not do what He said? Believe (the gospel - v 15) and be baptized in order to be saved.
Don't be guilty like those of Luke 6:46! "Why do you call me, 'Lord, Lord,' and do not do the things that I say."
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