You’ve probably heard about some “Twelve Step” programs that are used to help people with their problems and addictions. Have you ever heard of a “Twelve Step Plan Of Salvation”? I haven’t. But I recently read about a “Ten Step Plan For Salvation.” [1] (Please read about this dangerous teaching it in the link below.)
It is presented as “The Ten Imperatives” for the reception of eternal life. It’s erroneously presented as the saving message to “sinners.” Unsaved people are told to “…submit yourself to God (salvation); resist the devil (transferring allegiance); draw near to God (intimacy of relationship); cleanse your hands (repentance); purify your hearts (confession); be miserable, mourn, weep and let your laughter and joy be turned to gloom (sorrow). The final imperative summarizes the mentality of those who are converted: ‘Humble yourselves in the presence of the Lord’.” (Taken from James 4:7-10) Does your “Study Bible” include these words as the conditions for salvation in the notes?
Do you see anything wrong with this “Plan Of Salvation”? How does it measure up to the rest of the Scripture and the Gospel message itself? How could a person be sure he had done everything just right? He couldn’t.
Did the Apostle Paul mislead the Philippian jailor when he told him to “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved” (Acts 16:31)? What key word did the Apostle John use to convey to unsaved people what they needed to do to be saved? He used the word “believe” almost 100 times in the Gospel of John as the only condition for their salvation. Was he wrong? Does the Scripture contradict itself? No, it doesn’t.
“The Ten Imperatives” plan of salvation is often referred to as “Lordship ‘In Exchange For’ Salvation.” It places the cart before the horse. The instruction found in James 4:7-10 is not for unsaved people but to those who have already placed their faith in the Lord Jesus Christ exclusively and who are saved from everlasting condemnation (Romans 8:1). It tells believers (Christians) how to live victoriously over the devil [2] and how they ought to live to demonstrate their faith to other people (James 2:18). The correct, Biblical concept is “Lordship ‘Because Of’ Salvation.” [3] (See Romans 12:1, 2; 1 Peter 3:15).
The Apostle Paul wrote, “I do not frustrate the grace of God: for if righteousness comes by the [Mosaic] law [i.e. keeping the Ten Commandments and doing good works], then Christ died in vain” (Galatians 2:21).
We’re saved by grace alone (the undeserved favor from God), through faith alone (not plus our good works), in Christ alone (not plus His mother or other saints), as He is portrayed in the Scriptures alone (not the Christ of the cults). [4]
The Gospel (Good News) that one must believe to be saved is “Christ died for our sins…and rose again [bodily] from the grave on the third day” (1 Corinthians 15:1-8; See Luke 24:36-43). The Lord Jesus Christ (the God-man) died for our sins once for all (Hebrews 10:10) because we’re all sinners (Romans 3:10-23). Sin is lawlessness (1 John 3:4). The wages of sin is death (Romans 6:23). Jesus had to be separated from God the Father (i.e. die a spiritual death) for three hours while He was on the cross. Then He had to die physically as well to pay the complete debt we owed to God the Father.
Without His bodily resurrection from the dead He could not save us. Dead people can’t help others. His resurrection demonstrates to us that God the Father was satisfied with His death on our behalf (Romans 4:25; 1 John 2:2). It also guarantees the bodily resurrection of every person who has ever been conceived and who has died (1 Corinthians 15:23, 24; Revelation 20:11-15). Human life begins at conception (Psalm 51:5: Psalm 139:13-16).
In which resurrection will you be raised from the dead? There are four major resurrections (not resuscitations) mentioned in Scripture (1 Corinthians 15:20-24, 51, 52). Do you know when they will occur? If not, ask us.
Some will experience everlasting joy in God’s presence (Psalm 16:11; Revelation 21:4). Others will suffer in hell forever according to the words of Jesus (Matthew 25:30, 41, 46; See Revelation 20:11-15; 21:8).
Where will you spend eternity? It all depends on what you do with Jesus. Make sure today. If you need additional help from the Scriptures, contact us here or through our website www.kelseypeach.com
[1] Lordship Salvation – http://indefenseofthegospel.blogspot.com/2008/07/summary-of-lordship-salvation-on-single.html
http://www.bibleprophecyblog.com/2011/03/what-is-wrong-with-lordship-salvation.html
[2] Victorious Christian Living – Three Spiritual Enemies
[3] Gospel Presentations – https://kelseypeach.wordpress.com/2022/02/16/gospel-presentations/
[4] Which Jesus Saves? – https://kelseypeach.wordpress.com/2015/01/07/which-jesus-saves/
Repentance – https://kelseypeach.wordpress.com/2019/02/28/repentance-the-most-misunderstood-word-in-the-bible/
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