Staff & Sling Ministry; Statement of Faith

Jesus Christ died, scourged and crucified on Golgotha (Calvary), on Passover. He was buried on the Feast of Unleavened Bread, and He rose on the third day, on the Feast of Firstfruits. He shed his blood as propitiation for the sin of mankind. We receive salvation by believing on Jesus Christ, by accepting His gift of salvation through confession (I John 1: 9) and repentance (John 3: 5) of our sin, and submission to His perfect will. We are saved by grace through faith alone, not by works lest any man should boast (see Ephesians 2: 8, 9). There is no more to salvation than that; it is God's gift to those who accept it freely.

Never let anyone tell you that there is more to salvation than that. Never let anyone tell you that you must do good works in order to be saved. Don't even let anyone tell you that you have to do good works to confirm or somehow prove that you are saved. Oh, to be sure, if you are saved, and if you are growing in Jesus Christ, then you will do good works (Philippians 2: 13). But these good works are a consequence of your growth, not a condition of your salvation. Let me explain.

This is a statement of faith, so let's consider faith. Jesus said if you have faith as a grain of mustard seed you could command mountains and they would obey you, and nothing would be impossible to you (Matthew 17: 20). Have you commanded any mountains lately? I haven't either, but don't worry. Christ explains that this means your faith starts as the tiniest of seeds, but that it grows into a great and mighty thing. Ephesians 2: 8, 9 make plain that we are not saved by works, but verse 10 goes on to explain that we become His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works that God before ordained of us. Philippians 2: 13 explains that we won't even perceive that we are doing what God wants, but that we will be doing those things that seem natural to us to do (God works in us both to will and to do good works).

But faith doesn't always grow stronger. Sometimes faith dies. James 2: 17 tells us that without works faith is dead, and in John 15: 1, 2 we are told explicitly that if we do not bear fruit, God will take us away. Note that He did not say He would send or put us away, but take us away. If you "send" or "put" something you move it away from yourself, whereas if you "take" something you bring it unto yourself. The word makes quite a difference, don't you think? There is no threat that you will lose your salvation, only that you might disappoint God. Read on to verse 16 and see again that God ordained of us to bear fruit, so let's just trust that we will.

Still, this is a true statement concerning faith. If you do not grow in faith, if you do not bear fruit, God can and will take you home. But if you grow your faith strong, if you withstand God's purging (John 15: 2) and overcome, you will bear fruit and do great and mighty things that God has ordained of you.

This then  is my desire, my statement concerning faith, for both you and me. I desire that we grow stronger faith that we might do those works that God has ordained of us, without disappointing Him.

I John 1: 9    If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us [our] sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.

John 3: 5    Jesus answered, Verily, verily, I say unto thee, Except a man be born of water and [of] the Spirit, he cannot enter into the kingdom of God.

Ephesians 2: 8 - 10    8 For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: [it is] the gift of God:  9 Not of works, lest any man should boast.  10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.

Philippians 2: 13    For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of [his] good pleasure.

Matthew 17: 20    And Jesus said unto them, Because of your unbelief: for verily I say unto you, If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove; and nothing shall be impossible unto you.

James 2: 17    Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.

John 15: 1, 2, 16    1 I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman.  2 Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every [branch] that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit.  16 Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and [that] your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you.