Red Herring

(Pro 9:6 KJV) Forsake the foolish, and live; and go in the way of understanding.

What is necessary for salvation?  This is a question that can be asked sincerely and can also be a dodge.  The Philippian jailer asked it and received a simple answer.

(Act 16:31 KJV) And they said, Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.

If you are a sincere seeker this opens the door.  This is enough to bring regeneration and justification or at least start the process.

The problem comes when we get to the Rich Young Ruler.  He essentially asked the same question except his terminology had to do with eternal life instead of being saved.  This actually comes up in Luke twice.  The second time the answer involves the Ten Commandments and then selling everything, giving it away and following Jesus.  The first time the answer is slightly different and boils down to two things.

(Luk 10:27-28 KJV) And he answering said, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy strength, and with all thy mind; and thy neighbour as thyself.  And he said unto him, Thou hast answered right: this do, and thou shalt live.

A complete reading of the Bible assures us that salvation is a gift given by God but also reminds us that we are expected to respond.

So?  Don’t be sidetracked by the red herring of being saved by your works.  That obviously is not Biblical.  So is a salvation without repentance and change.