Free Ride Across River of Life — No Oar Needed

Strange title? Perhaps it is, but the reason for it is to make it relevant to the cartoon that has sparked this article. I am not sure who made this cartoon (Name not recognizable) so if it is copyright or the writer wishes credit given, please contact me so I can give credit where credit is due.

If you can not see this cartoon clearly, I recommend saving it to your computer and enlarging it. There is a number of interesting points that could be made, such as how the illustrator is even making faith a work in the fact that you have to continually work to keep your salvation (the thought of working an oar). But the topic I want to look at in this article is the illustrators teaching that works is needed to get to heaven. I may also touch briefly on other doctrines that are attacked in the picture.

To help with the picture I have labeled each topic touched on in the Picture from A to I

A — Object A says that it is the “whirlpool of Unbelief”. There is not much to refute in this case for the unsaved, in their state of unbelief are truly lost and hopeless, without Christ.

B –

C — This picture shows an Oar with the word “Faith” on it. This is the author’s method in attempting to tell the viewer that faith is needed for us to get to heaven. Indeed faith is needed even though I tend to think from looking at the picture as a whole, that the illustrator may have the wrong view of what Faith is, and where faith comes from.

D — This Oar has the word “works” written on it. The illustrator is trying to show that good works is needed for one to gain admittance into heaven as well. This will be touched on later on, and will show that this is indeed, non scriptural

E — The FAITH OAR. On the oar that the person is using to cross the river is written:

Joh 3:36  — He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.

F — The WORKS OAR. On this oar that the man is using is written:

Rom 2:17  Behold, thou art called a Jew, and restest in the law, and makest thy boast of God,

It is very interesting that the creator of the cartoon would use such a verse as Romans 2:17 considering that Paul is actually scolding the Jews telling them that a sign without reality is actually meaningless.

Let’s look at verse 17 again. This is just part of the beginning of a paragraph that Paul is writing…

Rom 2:18  and know his will and approve what is excellent, because you are instructed from the law;
Rom 2:19  and if you are sure that you yourself are a guide to the blind, a light to those who are in darkness,
Rom 2:20  an instructor of the foolish, a teacher of children, having in the law the embodiment of knowledge and truth–
Rom 2:21  you then who teach others, do you not teach yourself? While you preach against stealing, do you steal?
Rom 2:22  You who say that one must not commit adultery, do you commit adultery? You who abhor idols, do you rob temples?
Rom 2:23  You who boast in the law dishonor God by breaking the law. Rom 2:24  For, as it is written, “The name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles because of you.”

Paul is attempting to teach the Jews that they are not superior to others as they thought

Also circumcision was a sign to show a person they were a Jew, or a keeper of the law. It was a symbol of renewal of life and sanctification (v.25). But the reality was much deeper then that. In 24 as well where it mentions that if a Gentile keeps the commandments then he would be circumcised in the heart. Or rightful living with God.

Good works and circumcision even in the Old Testament had nothing to do with getting to heaven, and neither does this passage. This passage does not mention getting into heaven but living for God. Infact Paul makes it very clear that we have all sinned (Romans 3), that we can still sin as a Christian (Romans 6,7) and that justification with Christ is not of works:

Rom 3:24  and are justified by his grace as a gift, through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus,

G — I believe it’s save to assume that the picture of the kingdom in the distance is heaven. On the walls of heaven is written by the illustrator:

2Ti 4:7  I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.
2Ti 4:8  Henceforth there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that Day, and not only to me but also to all who have loved his appearing.

So why does Paul say this? Why does he say he has finished the race, he has kept the faith? He answers this later on in the chapter:

2Ti 4:18  The Lord will rescue me from every evil deed and bring me safely into his heavenly kingdom. To him be the glory forever and ever. Amen.

Paul didn’t make it to heaven on his own, it was all through Christ. It wasn’t because he kept the faith on his own, but he kept it because God was bringing Him safely into his heavenly kingdom. Paul mentions it as well in Philippians.

Php 1:6  And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.

H — The man in the boat with just the FAITH OAR also has written on the side of his canoe “Calvinism”.

Oh page 509 of the Creed of Christendom Philip Schaff could write:

“…Calvinism represented the consistent, logical, conservative orthodoxy; Arminianism an elastic, progressive, changing liberalism.”

Not much more will be touched on the issue in this article, other then what little information the illustrator has given us on Calvinism in the picture, a person looking at the cartoon, who understood the message of the gospel would have to come to the conclusion in this picture that Calvinism is much more scriptural then what the person is attempting to teach with a works based Gospel/Salvation.

I — unrecognizable. If you can make it out, let me know and I’ll comment on it.

 

Rom 4:2  For if Abraham was justified by works, he has something to boast about, but not before God.

 

Gal 2:16  yet we know that a person is not justified by works of the law but through faith in Jesus Christ, so we also have believed in Christ Jesus, in order to be justified by faith in Christ and not by works of the law, because by works of the law no one will be justified.

God’s Great Commission — Spread the Gospel

One of the most important things in the life of a Christian should be his focus to preach the gospel message. Many people including myself at times become content with a gospel meeting once a week, or even just getting caught in the thought that a series of gospel meetings is enough and becoming content in not speaking to people we see everyday. God’s instruction was to go out and preach the gospel..

GOD’S GREAT COMMISSION

Mark 16:15 And he said to them, “Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation.
1 Corinthians 9: 16 For if I preach the gospel, that gives me no ground for boasting. For necessity is laid upon me. Woe to me if I do not preach the gospel!
17 For if I do this of my own will, I have a reward, but not of my own will, I am still entrusted with a stewardship.
19 ¶ For though I am free from all, I have made myself a servant to all, that I might win more of them.
20 To the Jews I became as a Jew, in order to win Jews. To those under the law I became as one under the law (though not being myself under the law) that I might win those under the law.
21 To those outside the law I became as one outside the law (not being outside the law of God but under the law of Christ) that I might win those outside the law.
22 To the weak I became weak, that I might win the weak. I have become all things to all people, that by all means I might save some.
These verses are extremely important when we read them, and need to lay to our hearts what they mean to fully take part in the commission God has given us.

In verse 16 of 1 Corinthians 9, Paul reminds us of the seriousness to preach the gospel. In chapter 1 Paul reminds us that God has used the method of preaching to reach the ones that will believe, and here shows how important it is to fulfil the instruction that was given by God. From verses 17 to 22 Paul tries to explain how the gospel should be spoken. We should not be going out into the world with the air about us that we are better because God has saved us, no; not at all, Paul could word it perfectly “The gospel, that gives me no ground for boasting”.

Later in these verses he explains the Jew and the Gentile, the servants the ones outside the laws of God, the weak etc. He does not say that we should get drunk with the drunkard to tell him or her the gospel because he says in verse 21 that he is still under the law of Christ, as to live according to the will of God, yet what he is trying to say is that we should think as being equal with every person. We should become as appear to that person as making them feel as we should that we are as well only human as they are, but are trying to tell them a message that is very important.  

WHAT DO WE PREACH?

What exactly is the core of the gospel? If you sit in a gospel meeting, you will here a great deal of being invited to accept the gospel, you will hear in some cases many stories, but from the Bible what is the core part of a gospel message, and should be taking up the most of a message?

1 Corinthians 15:3 For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures,
4 that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures,

The Core of the Gospel is the death and resurrection of Christ our Saviour. We see in this message to the explanation of why Christ died. He died because of our sin which is taking all unsaved to hell. Indeed the message of Christ is what the gospel is all about Christ and what He has done (Acts 20:24; Romans 1:9,16). But indeed within the gospel message we have as well the invitation to those who will trust Christ (Romans 3:22). And the need for the ones who realize their need to trust in Christ (Romans 10:13) 

WHO DO WE PREACH TO?

We often get caught up in our lives thinking that there are certain ones out there that we should not speak to. We may think of how they’ve heard the gospel hundreds of times so what’s the point anymore? Or we may think of how individuals are corrupted by a cult so therefore it’s a waste of time to speak to them. Both of these comments are very untrue and contrary to the word of God. God does not give us permission to dismiss someone for such reason.

We are told if someone deliberately rejects the gospel and completely refuses to listen to you then turn from them (Luke 9:5), but we can not make up reasons for ourselves and the first instance of a hesitation in someone doesn’t mean that speaking to them more, may not do any good. We are told to go out into all the world. So who all do we speak to? 

Atheists

Romans 1:14 I am under obligation both to Greeks and to barbarians,  both to the wise and to the foolish. (rf. Ps. 53:1)

The Greeks were taken up with philosophy and study of things, while the barbarians were the opposite. In the world today we have people who are taken up with philosophy that they feel helps them explain away God. Paul felt a burden to speak to such people, as should we as well.

The Deserted Places

Romans 15:20 and thus I make it my ambition to preach the gospel, not where Christ has already been named, lest I build on someone else’s foundation, 

Paul had a desire to preach everywhere yet he had a great desire to go out into the places where no one had preached before. How often we enjoy preaching the gospel in the same place constantly. God doesn’t speak against this yet speaks to encourage us to go out into places that have not heard the gospel yet or that it has not  been spoken in for many years.

The Proud

Matthew 19:16 ¶ And behold, a man came up to him, saying, “Teacher, what good deed must I do to have eternal life?”

There are people in the world today like the man above that think that they are in some way good enough that they can do something to inherit salvation. As one man could say to me as I spoke to him “I’m not interested, I have my own church.” He was under his own delusion that his church would get him to heaven. Some people are so proud of themselves they will not listen to the clear teachings of the gospel, and feel they can do something to gain favour with God. But Christ could take the time to speak to the man above, and we need to take time with them as well to tell them about the Saviour.  

Religious

(Followers of Zeus and Hermes)Acts 14:11 And when the crowds saw what Paul had done, they lifted up their voices, saying in Lycaonian, “The gods have come down to us in the likeness of men!”
12 Barnabas they called Zeus, and Paul, Hermes, because he was the chief speaker.
13 And the priest of Zeus, whose temple was at the entrance to the city, brought oxen and garlands to the gates and wanted to offer sacrifice with the crowds.
14 But when the apostles Barnabas and Paul heard of it, they tore their garments and rushed out into the crowd, crying out,
15 “Men, why are you doing these things? We also are men, of like nature with you, and we bring you good news, that you should turn from these vain things to a living God, who made the heaven and the earth and the sea and all that is in them.

In this passage we read of people who are completely stuck in their ways such as followers of cults today, yet that did not discourage Paul but reinforced his desire to tell people of the one true God. Something we should have a desire to do as well.  

EVERYDAY WORK TO THE GOSPEL

Romans 12:16 Live in harmony with one another. Do not be haughty, but associate with the lowly. Never be conceited…..20 To the contrary, “if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head.”
21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

A Christian should be willing to do the smallest of task for a person. We should show kindness to people even if they treat us extremely rude and unkind. We are not to return evil with evil. Why is this? What do you think the ultimate reason for this is? John 13:34 A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another.
35 By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”Showing love shows the reality of what we are professing. We are being a disgrace to the name “Christian” to act otherwise.  

Feeding

Matthew 15:35 And he commanded the multitude to sit down on the ground.
36 And he took the seven loaves and the fishes, and gave thanks, and brake them, and gave to his disciples, and the disciples to the multitude.

The gospel is all about Christ, yet the subject of the message could take time to show compassion upon the people. How often have we taken the time to show compassion? The people we tend to preach too, do we take the time to help them? Are they struggling to feed themselves and their family? If so do we have as much interest to insure they do not go hungry? The author of eternal salvation cared, do we? 

Healing

Luke 20:50 And one of them smote the servant of the high priest, and cut off his right ear.
51 And Jesus answered and said, Suffer ye thus far. And he touched his ear, and healed him.

At the point of Christ being led away to Calvary, we can still find him showing care upon the people by healing them. Do we take care in people that are sick? Is your neighbour sick, and need a ride to a doctor? Can’t afford a prescription? Are we willing to help that person? Do we pray for their health as well? The gospel is the most important yet even Christ could take the time to show compassion over infirmities, do we show the people we preach to, that we truly care for their health and well being?  

Teaching

Luke 2:46 After three days they found him in the temple, sitting among the teachers, listening to them and asking them questions.
47 And all who heard him were amazed at his understanding and his answers.

We are very eager to just preach the gospel to people, but do we take the time to answer one’s questions? Many who experience people that question Christianity or say something in a mocking tone will suddenly dismiss them with the thought that “oh that person doesn’t really care”. This may not be the case at all. We do not know what that person has experienced in his or her life. Perhaps they have had a bad experience with false religion. Perhaps they need someone to spend time with them and reason with them, showing them that there is truth in the Saviour. Christ took time time to reason and answer, do we? 

WHY NOT GET DISCOURAGED?

1 Corinthians 10:31 So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.
32 Give no offense to Jews or to Greeks or to the church of God,
33 just as I try to please everyone in everything I do, not seeking my own advantage, but that of many, that they may be saved.

We easily can get discouraged if we talk to someone and nothing happens, but that is not the reason we should be preaching or speaking to people. Paul had a desire to see people get saved, as we should to, but the reason for preaching for us is to bring glory to God, because it is not us that does the saving but God, and it is something we all need to realize. We are using the role God has given us, to preach and to teach. The rest is up to God, our duty and privilege is to bring glory to God.  

1Co 10:31 So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do all to the glory of God.

Pre-Conditional Clause to Gain Salvation

“I don’t understand it,” said one lady to another, “Your daughters wear pants, one of your daughters cuts her hair, and you have a Christmas tree. Yet two of your children just professed to be saved. I don’t understand it! I guess there’s nothing wrong with doing those things, because God has blessed you.” Or as another may say “The person wears the wrong thing to ‘church’. I guess there’s nothing wrong with that because God has saved his child.”

Do you see a problem with that paragraph? It is a true recollection of a discussion. I’m sure we could make a list of issues with it. We could write articles on each of the three or four things one lady thought the other was doing wrong, but that’s not the focus of this article. The focus is on the thought of preconditions to someone getting saved.

Is it true that if you are doing something supposedly wrong in your life that it can affect the salvation of your child or close friend? For the sake of the length of this article let us assume that the three things listed above are actually wrong, or if you have a thought in your mind use that example instead.

Regardless if you hold to the “Free-will” theology of the gospel or the “Personal Election” view, it should not affect the result of our conclusions on this issue.

WHERE DOES THE GOSPEL COME FROM?

Where exactly does the gospel come from? Where does the gift of eternal life, forgiveness of sins, and rescue from hell for all eternity come from? Christ clears it up very well.

Joh 14:6 Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.

Heb 9:26 for then he would have had to suffer repeatedly since the foundation of the world. But as it is, he has appeared once for all at the end of the ages to put away sin by the sacrifice of himself.

Joh 3:18 Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe is condemned already, because he has not believed in the name of the only Son of God.

It is obvious that point 1, where does the gospel come from, is that it comes directly from God.

WHAT PART DO WE PLAY?

What part do we play in the matter? A verse can clearly sum this up as well.

Joh 3:36 Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life; whoever does not obey the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God remains on him.
Why does one need to believe in the Son? Just because it’s a convenience to do so? That is not the main reason whatsoever. We are lost, we are separate from God, sinners heading to a long lost eternity in hell. We need to believe/trust in Christ to be saved from a judgment we deserve and to be with Him for all eternity.

ARE WORKS INVOLVED?

Is there an actual work that is involved when someone gets saved? Do they have to realize certain things to get saved?

The woman at the well in John chapter 4 realized that Christ truly was God. Mary the mother of Jesus realized that He was her Saviour. The Tax Collector in Luke 18, realized he was a sinner. Nicodemus heard about coming judgment. As we look at all the people in the New Testament that trusted Christ as Saviour, how many of them did something to receive salvation, other then trust Christ? How many of these individuals do you know were saved because of the good living of someone around them? How many do we know weren’t saved because a close acquaintance was doing something supposedly wrong?

Eph 2:8 For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God,
Eph 2:9 not a result of works, so that no one may boast.

SALVATION FROM GOD

We have read that salvation is a gift from God, We see that there are no works involved in getting this gift. So let’s reiterate the point again. Salvation is FROM God.

Look at even King Agrippa:

Act 26:27 King Agrippa, do you believe the prophets? I know that you believe.”
Act 26:28 And Agrippa said to Paul, “In a short time would you persuade me to be a Christian?”
Act 26:29 And Paul said, “Whether short or long, I would to God that not only you but also all who hear me this day might become such as I am–except for these chains.”

So the question from this passage is this: Does the passage say Agrippa said “Paul because of your holy living and doing everything that I think is right, you almost convinced me to be a Christian, and because you’re doing right I know God won’t stop me from being saved.”… or does it say that Paul was preaching from the Bible he had, he was speaking the gospel to Agrippa, and on those grounds Agrippa rejected Christ.

It had nothing to do with the Holy living of Paul but the Word of God.

CONCLUSION

The gospel we are told is to be preached to all the world, And faith comes through hearing the word of God, for within the word of God we have the message of salvation.

Rom 10:17 So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.

I am not sure if ones who say these things listed at the beginning but they are essentially putting a work on the gift of Salvation. They are putting a pre-conditional clause on the gift. We are essentially saying that the powerful work of God in redeeming a lost soul from Hell, is not just between Him and the lost soul, but between the entire family.

To hold to such a thought we are putting an inability on God. They are essentially saying that it is possible that God may want to save someone but can not because someone else is hindering Him. I believe we tend to forget that we are humans. We were made from the dust of the ground. So how can we hinder the working of the Almighty God? The one who spoke and the words came into existence? The one whose has the mountains shake before Him, who flooded the world.

Let us never be caught up in such awful thoughts as “wow that person got saved even though the other person/parent is doing something wrong.” Salvation is between the individual and God. Not between the individual, God and what we’re doing. Let’s stop putting conditions on salvation, and realize the actual meaning:

“Salvation belongs to the LORD” Jonah 2:9