What Determines Who Obtains Eternal Life?
Between July 31 and August 10, 2008, the Pew Forum for Religion and Public Life asked 2905 adults in the United States, “What determines who obtains eternal life?” The three options were: 1) Actions, 2) Belief, 3) A combination of both.
Of all who participated in the poll, 29% said actions, 30% said belief, and 10% said a combination of both.
Of those who identify themselves as white mainline Protestants, 33% said actions, 25% said belief, and 10% said a combination of both.
Of those calling themselves white Catholics, 47% said actions, 13% said belief, and 14% said a combination of both.
Of those classified as white evangelicals, 11% said actions, 64% said belief, and 10% said a combination of both.
Had they asked you, how would you have answered their question? This is more than an issue of passing curiosity. If the issue is eternal life, your personal eternal destiny is at stake. So which is it: behavior, belief, or both?
One person’s opinion or one group’s opinion does not determine the correct answer. That’s good, because of the vast differences of opinion. Why not ask those who are in the know, figures such as Moses, Jesus, and Paul?
Moses says Abraham, “believed in the LORD, and He accounted it to him for righteousness” (Gen. 15:6). Moses votes for belief.
Jesus says, “This is the will of Him who sent Me, that everyone who sees the Son and believes in Him may have everlasting life; and I will raise him up at the last day” (Jn. 6:40). Jesus not only says belief is the answer, He clearly says that the belief is in Him.
Paul says, :Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved” (Acts 16:31). He agrees with Moses and Jesus.
Salvation is not obtained by actions, that is, something we do. “For if Abraham was justified by works, he has something to boast about, but not before God” (Rom. 4:2).
Salvation is not obtained by belief and actions. “To him who does not work but believes on Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is accounted for righteousness” (Rom. 4:5).
Salvation is obtained by faith alone. It is a gift. “The gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord” (Rom. 6:23). It is not our actions that secure salvation; it is the actions of Jesus, who died for our sins and arose from the dead. All that is left for us to do is trust Jesus Christ for the gift of eternal life.
A large number of Americans, including Protestants, Catholics, and Evangelicals need some clarification on this issue. Those of us who know should let them know.
© G. Michael Cocoris, 1/31/2009
Of all who participated in the poll, 29% said actions, 30% said belief, and 10% said a combination of both.
Of those who identify themselves as white mainline Protestants, 33% said actions, 25% said belief, and 10% said a combination of both.
Of those calling themselves white Catholics, 47% said actions, 13% said belief, and 14% said a combination of both.
Of those classified as white evangelicals, 11% said actions, 64% said belief, and 10% said a combination of both.
Had they asked you, how would you have answered their question? This is more than an issue of passing curiosity. If the issue is eternal life, your personal eternal destiny is at stake. So which is it: behavior, belief, or both?
One person’s opinion or one group’s opinion does not determine the correct answer. That’s good, because of the vast differences of opinion. Why not ask those who are in the know, figures such as Moses, Jesus, and Paul?
Moses says Abraham, “believed in the LORD, and He accounted it to him for righteousness” (Gen. 15:6). Moses votes for belief.
Jesus says, “This is the will of Him who sent Me, that everyone who sees the Son and believes in Him may have everlasting life; and I will raise him up at the last day” (Jn. 6:40). Jesus not only says belief is the answer, He clearly says that the belief is in Him.
Paul says, :Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved” (Acts 16:31). He agrees with Moses and Jesus.
Salvation is not obtained by actions, that is, something we do. “For if Abraham was justified by works, he has something to boast about, but not before God” (Rom. 4:2).
Salvation is not obtained by belief and actions. “To him who does not work but believes on Him who justifies the ungodly, his faith is accounted for righteousness” (Rom. 4:5).
Salvation is obtained by faith alone. It is a gift. “The gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord” (Rom. 6:23). It is not our actions that secure salvation; it is the actions of Jesus, who died for our sins and arose from the dead. All that is left for us to do is trust Jesus Christ for the gift of eternal life.
A large number of Americans, including Protestants, Catholics, and Evangelicals need some clarification on this issue. Those of us who know should let them know.
© G. Michael Cocoris, 1/31/2009
