HOW CAN I GET INTO HEAVEN?
Some say, “SOLA FIDE”! This means “By Faith Alone” a person is forgiven of their sins and “justified” or declared righteous (in right or good standing with God) and will go to heaven.
The doctrine of “Sola Fide” asserts that is salvation based on ones faith in Jesus and His death on the cross that a person is forgiven of their transgressions, rather than on the basis of any good works which the believer might have done. This forgiveness is known as “justification”. In classical Reformed theologies, good works are seen to be evidence of faith, but the good works themselves do not determine salvation.
However…
“Drive through salvation and spiritual fast food” with a side order of “cheap grace” won’t work!
And, the entire Word or the entire counsel of God tells us that…
SOLA FIDE is a Narrow Gate
13 “Enter through the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the way is broad that leads to destruction, and there are many who enter through it. 14 “For the gate is small and the way is narrow that leads to life, and there are few who find it.”
The Narrow Gate: Narrow, Straight (STENOS)
From: to set or establish (HISTEMI)
to make firm, fix establish
to stand, be kept intact (of family, a kingdom), to escape in safety
to establish a thing, cause it to stand, to uphold or sustain the authority or force of anything
to set or place in a balance
to stand immovable, stand firm
continue safe and sound, stand unharmed, to stand ready or prepared
to be of a steadfast mind
of quality, one who does not hesitate, does not waiver
SOLA FIDE is the The Eye of a Needle
23 And Jesus said to His disciples, “Truly I say to you, it is hard for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven. 24“Again I say to you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God.”
SOLA FIDE is Childlike faith
15 “Truly I say to you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God like a child will not enter it at all.”
SOLA FIDE is The Will of God
21 “Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father who is in heaven will enter.
SOLA FIDE is Water and The Spirit
5 Jesus answered, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born of water and the Spirit he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.
SOLA FIDE is The Many Tribulations
22 strengthening the souls of the disciples, encouraging them to continue in the faith, and saying, “Through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God.”
So, we would do well to adhere to the words of the Apostle Paul in
Philippians2:12 “,,,work out your salvation with fear and trembling; 13 for it is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure.
14 “Do all things without grumbling or disputing; 15 so that you will prove yourselves to be blameless and innocent, children of God above reproach in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you appear as lights in the world, 16 holding fast the word of life,”
We live in difficult and challenging times – this is especially true for Christians. We are being stressed, challenged, persecuted, reviled and tested, all for the Name of Jesus. So, now is not the time to withdraw. It is the time to stand fast, endure so as to overcome!
Let’s stand together, encouraging one another, spurring one another on to love and good works.
May God bless and strengthen you!
Your Brother and Friend,
Mike Young