Bible Questions and Answers

Thank you for asking a question on www.thisisyourbible.com

Actually you are quite correct.  Grace is not a "free ticket" to the Kingdom of God and eternal life. 

Someone once said, "Works do not justify but the justified man works."  We must demonstrate our faith by the way we live.  God is not mocked, as a man sows so shall he also reap. If we sow to the flesh even after having been "saved" we shall of the flesh reap destruction.  If we claim to follow the lord we must walk according to his ways.  Jesus said "You are my friends IF you do what I command you." Salvation is and always has been conditional upon obedience. All God asks is that we try our best. Perfect obedience is impossible for us; that's why we depend upon His grace.  However, we must not presume upon it. We must make the effort to take up our cross and follow our Lord in the way of faith, sacrifice, and obedience.

Paul says in 1 Corinthians 9:27 "But I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified." The word "disqualified" here means to be rejected.  That is, rejected and sent away by Christ at his great judgement seat upon his return to establish His Father's kingdom on earth. 

Our salvation is, as you say, a partnership between us and God. This is stated explicitly in Philippians 2:12, 13 Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.  For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.  

Paul's teaching about salvation is exactly the same as that of the Lord Jesus Christ.  See Matthew 7:21; 25:31-46; Luke 9:23; John 15:14

Here is a link to information on the website on the topic of grace:

www.thisisyourbible.com/library/show/408

I hope you have found this helpful.

May God bless you,
Mike,
www.thisisyourbible.com