Basis for Salvation (was Re: Wow!)

Dee Goepel (dee@kagoona.mitre.org)
Sat, 31 Aug 1996 20:11:31 -0400


Bro. Terry Anderson wrote:
>If given the opportunity would you strive to seek and do _everything and
>anything_ that you could to please Jesus.  If there were even a possibility
>that there was more that you could do for Him - would you?  Have you already
>answered _this_ question for yourself?  Seeking to seek for more of him.
>Isn't that what the essence of a love for God is all about?  Consider asking
>_yourself_ these questions.

Thank you, Bro. Anderson, for the thought provoking responses. 
I understand your point, and I certainly do believe in doing all
I can for Jesus.  It is not that I am against speaking in tongues,
or any of the other things I have heard discussed here.  And I 
am not asking for the basic requirements so that I will not have
to do anything else for Jesus.  I have given my life to Christ
and would gladly do anything that he would ask of me.  However,
I would not like to think all the time "Oh, I better do this,
just in case I'm not saved without it", or "Uh-oh, what if I 
also need this for salvation."  I am thankful to Christ for His
great sacrifice for me, and I believe the Bible specifically 
teaches reassurance of salvation to those who believe.  

I have read in the bible (paraphrase ;-) that some are to teach,
and some are to speak in tongues, and some are to interpret 
tongues, .. etc.  Jesus has different roles for different people.
If you have spoken in tongues, that is wonderful.  I think it
probably strengthens your relationship.  Recently someone posted
questions about why people shake sometimes.  I think it is a 
similar experience.  God can move powerfully through a person,
and that is wonderful.  But a person should not worry, "Oh no,
I am not saved because I have not spoken in tongues like so-and-
so, or have not prophesied like so-and-so, or have not healed
people like so-and-so."  My point was not that these things are
unimportant or unnecessary, but simply that I don't think people
should be told "You are not saved unless you have done this.", 
when no where in the bible did Jesus say that.  You must be 
born again, you must put your old life behind you and start 
fresh as baby in Christ, and as you grow you will receive many
gifts of the spirit, but people should not be taught that they 
aren't saved if they have not received a particular gift.

Thank you everyone for the helpful responses thust far.
In Christ,
-Dee