What actions can we take to ensure we are not "far from salvation"? The Passage: Mark 12:28-34 “Now one of the scribes who had come up and heard their debate, noticing how well Jesus had answered them, asked Him, ‘Which commandment is the most important of all?’ Jesus replied, ‘This is the most important: “Hear O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is One. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.” The second is this: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” No other commandment is greater than these.’ ‘Right, Teacher,’ the scribe replied. ‘You have stated correctly that God is One and that there is no other but Him, and to love Him with all your heart and with all your understanding and with all your strength, and to love your neighbor as yourself, is more important than all burnt offerings and sacrifices.’ When Jesus saw that the man had answered wisely, He said, ‘You are not far from the kingdom of God.’ And no one dared to question Him any further.” Why the Scribe Was “Not Far” • He understood the supremacy of loving God genuinely. • He grasped that love for neighbor outweighs ritual. • Yet he still lacked a personal, saving commitment to Jesus as Messiah (John 14:6). Bridging the Final Gap: Actions We Can Take • Turn to Christ in repentant faith (Acts 2:38; John 3:16). • Confess Jesus openly as Lord and believe God raised Him from the dead (Romans 10:9-10). • Receive salvation as God’s gift, not by works, yet demonstrated through obedience (Ephesians 2:8-10; James 2:17). Loving God Wholeheartedly • Cultivate daily Scripture intake—hearing and obeying His Word (Joshua 1:8; James 1:22). • Worship with heart, soul, mind, strength—engage in gathered praise and private devotion (Psalm 96:9). • Surrender every area of life to His rule; choose holiness over compromise (1 Peter 1:15-16). Loving Neighbor Practically • Meet tangible needs: food, care, encouragement (1 John 3:17-18). • Speak truth in love—share the gospel graciously (Colossians 4:5-6). • Forgive as you have been forgiven (Ephesians 4:32). Guarding Against Drift • Examine yourself regularly in light of the faith (2 Corinthians 13:5). • Stay in fellowship with believers for mutual exhortation (Hebrews 10:24-25). • Confess sin promptly, resting in Christ’s cleansing (1 John 1:9). • Hold fast to sound doctrine, resisting deceit (1 Timothy 4:16). • Persevere to the end by relying on the Spirit’s power (Hebrews 3:14). Living Assured, Not Merely Near Salvation is secured when love for God and neighbor flows from a heart transformed by faith in Christ. Embrace Him fully, walk in obedience, and you will stand safely inside the kingdom—not merely “near” it. |
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