On several occasions I have discussed the parable of the 10 Virgins and how AT THE END, Jesus says to 1\2 of them (remember Jesus said the Kingdom of Heaven – the Church) will not be saved. Well, this is the results of a recent nationwide survey by the Cultural Research Center at Arizona Christian University. Amazingly, given the foundations of evangelicalism, three out of every 10 evangelical pastors (30%) DO NOT BELIEVE that their salvation is BASED ON having CONFESSED THEIR SINS and ASKED FOR FORGIVENESS and ACCEPTING JESUS CHRIST AS THEIR SAVIOR. The survey results collected answers to a question phrased this way: A person who is GENERALLY GOOD or does ENOUGH GOOD THINGS (works) for others, WILL EARN A PLACE IN HEAVEN. 77% of Catholic leaders answered YES, 34% of Evangelical church senior pastors also answered YES, 47% Pentecostal and charismatic pastors also answered YES.
What does Jesus say about this, “Watch out that no one DECEIVES YOU…At that time MANY will turn away from the faith and will betray and hate each other…but the one who STANDS FIRM to the end will be saved.” (Matthew 24:4, 10, 13) Jesus also said, “I am the WAY, the TRUTH, and the LIFE. NO ONE comes to the Father except THROUGH ME.” (John 14:6) “For BY GRACE YOU HAVE BEEN SAVED THROUGH FAITH, and that not of yourselves; it is the GIFT OF GOD, NOT OF WORKS, lest anyone SHOULD BOAST.” (Ephesians 2:8-9)
The reason for this is, “ALL HAVE SINNED and fall short of the glory of God…” (Romans 2:23) We receive PAYMENT for this sin, “the wages of sin is DEATH (thanatos: eternal separation from God)…” (Romans 6:23a) If we repent and ask for forgiveness, “…the GIFT OF GOD is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 6:23b)
Your Personal Pastor -Bill Stockham