Conditions for Salvation

The Bible gives us clear instructions what we must do in order to be saved and all who are saved will receive the gift of eternal life.
One of the first things we need to do is to believe. The faith what we need is not just knowledge. The old Israel perished in the wilderness for the lack of faith. By faith we can move mountains, and nothing shall be impossible for us.

“Every failure on the part of the children of God is due to their lack of faith.” PP. 657
We can increase our faith by exercise, prayer and Bible study. We can also lose our faith by carelessness, discouragement, neglected duties and disobedience.

OBEDIENCE

Next comes the keeping of the commandments. Jesus said to the rich young man, “If thou wilt enter into life, keep the commandments.” Matt. 19:17 Not only are we to keep the letter of the law, but the spirit of the law which goes much further. If we have not killed anyone we have kept the letter of the sixth commandment. But Jesus said if we hate someone we have broken the law.

We can break the commandments by our thoughts; also by our intentions. Sister White wrote that Ministers should preach more on the commandments. (E.W. 63) David wrote that we should meditate in the law of God day and night. (Ps 1:2)

“If parents or children are ever welcomed into the mansions above, it will be because they have in this world learned to obey the commandments of God.” C.G. 84

HEALTH REFORM

How important is Health Reform for our salvation?
“The light God has given on health reform is for our salvation and the salvation of the world.” C.H. 446

“Temperance in eating and drinking at our tables, as well as the exercise of temperance in every other respect, is essential if we would overcome as Christ overcame. God has given us light, not to be treated indifferently, but to be our guide and help.” Test. V 4 p. 215

“The controlling power of appetite will prove the ruin of thousands, when, if they had conquered on this point, they would have had moral power to gain the victory over every other temptation of Satan. But those who are slaves to appetite will fail in perfecting Christian character.” C.D. 59
If we want to make it to heaven, we must overcome our perverted appetites and follow the health reform in all points.

PRAYER

Many will fail from the eternal life for the lack of prayer. The Bible gives us an instruction to “pray without ceasing” 1 Thess. 5:17

Jesus said, “watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak.” Matt. 26:41

When we are in prayer connection with heaven Satan has no opportunity to influence our thoughts into wrong channels.
James writes to us, “Ye have not, because ye ask not” James 4:2 Jesus said, “Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in My name, He will give it to you.” John 16:23

“Satan well knows that all whom he can lead to neglect prayer and the searching of the Scriptures, will be overcome by his attacks.” G.C. 519

The men of prayer are the men of power. The prayer is not just a ceremony or a form that is practiced in the churches. It is a key that opens the storehouses of heaven and provides all our needs.

CHURCH MEETINGS

Some have a habit to stay home from the religious meetings for any little reason. Maybe feeling tired or busy with daily work. But this they do at risk of their salvation. “It is a serious mistake to neglect the public worship of God. The privileges of divine service should not be lightly regarded.” M.H. 511

“Some have failed to see the real importance, not only attending religious meetings, but also of bearing testimony for Christ and the truth.
If these brethren do not obtain spiritual strength by the faithful performance of every Christian duty, thus coming into a closer and more sacred relation to their Redeemer, they will become weak in moral power. They will surely wither spiritually unless they change their course in this respect.” Test. Vol. 4 p. 539

“Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is.” Heb. 10:25

The church meetings are mediums to help us into salvation. The church is a school where we learn the science of salvation. We need to come together to learn and also to teach others.

BIBLE STUDY

The Holy Bible is the bread of life to us. The more we read and study the stronger we get. Many will be lost in the end for the lack of Bible study. We read, “My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge.” Hosea 4:6

“No man, woman, or youth can attain to Christian perfection and neglect the study of the word of God.” CSW 17
Jesus said, “Search the Scriptures; for in them. ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of Me.” John 5:39

“We are not safe if we neglect to search the scriptures daily for light and knowledge. Earthly blessings cannot be obtained without toil, and can we expect that spiritual and heavenly blessings will come without earnest effort on our part? 1 Sel. Mes. 359

Bible reading has a sanctifying influence. It purifies our minds and thoughts. Let not one day pass without earnest Bible study.

TITHES AND OFFERINGS

Does our salvation depend on faithfulness in tithes and offerings? According to Malachi 3:8-11 we receive a blessing by faithfulness or a curse by neglecting to pay faithful tithes and offerings to the treasury of God.

“To defraud God is the greatest crime of which man can be guilty; and yet this sin is deep and widespread.” R.H. Oct. 13, 1896
“With these words of light and truth before them, (Mai 3:10-12) how dare they disobey God when obedience to His requirements means His blessing in both temporal and spiritual things, and disobedience means the curse of God? Satan is the destroyer. God cannot bless those who refuse to be faithful stewards. All He can do is to permit Satan to accomplish his destroying work.” Vol. 6 388

No one will be in heaven who willfully neglects to be faithful in tithes and offerings.

MISSIONARY WORK

Love to God and to our fellow men will not permit us to neglect the missionary work. We read in Isaiah, “Ye are My witnesses, saith the Lord” Isa. 43:10
Before leaving this world Jesus gave the gospel commission to His followers “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations.” Matt. 28:19

By saving others we save ourselves. In His wisdom God left the salvation of men to His people. It is a great blessing to us to have the opportunity to work for the perishing souls. “There are many who would work if urged into service, and who would save their souls by thus working.” Test. Vol. 5 p. 390

“It is labor that keeps the strong man strong. And spiritual labor, toil, and burden bearing, is what will give strength to the church of Christ.” L.S. 188

Many other conditions for our salvation could be added to this list. But if we are faithful in these eight points the rest would follow with the help of God. We would learn humility, forgiving spirit, patience and love. By neglecting even one point of these would be dangerous. Is not eternal life worth every sacrifice? May the Lord help us in this solemn preparatory time to fulfill all required conditions that we would not fail of this great salvation.
AMEN

Timo Martin