Romans 3:24-28 (NIV)

"...and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. God presented Christ as a sacrifice of atonement, through the shedding of his blood—to be received by faith. He did this to demonstrate his righteousness, because in his forbearance he had left the sins committed beforehand unpunished—he did it to demonstrate his righteousness at the present time, so as to be just and the one who justifies those who have faith in Jesus. Where, then, is boasting? It is excluded. Because of what law? The law that requires works? No, because of the law that requires faith. For we maintain that a person is justified by faith apart from the works of the law."

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This scripture clearly reveals that we receive redemption from sin through the blood of Jesus Christ, and that those who have been redeemed must repent to enter the Kingdom of Heaven. When we confess that Jesus Christ is the only Savior, all sins committed up to that point are forgiven without distinction, whether for Jew or Gentile. This promise is what it means to be redeemed from sin.

When we first believe in Jesus, our sins committed until then disappear due to the power of Christ's precious blood. However, we must not be mistaken. Our future sins are not automatically erased. From the moment we believe in Jesus, we must follow the words of Jesus Christ and bear fruit worthy of repentance; it is through achieving true repentance that all our sins are removed.

What is the fruit worthy of repentance?

It is abandoning all idolatry, forgiving the faults of our neighbors, forsaking an evil life, and pursuing a good life. All Christians have the responsibility to fulfill their roles as the light and salt among people so that reconciliation is achieved in the world.

Titus 2:14 (NIV)

"...who gave himself for us to redeem us from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own, eager to do what is good."

Being redeemed from all wickedness is intended to make us God's people who are eager to do good works. There is a clear purpose for our redemption from sin.

Ephesians 2:10 (NIV)

"For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do."

The purpose of creating human beings was also to have them accomplish God's good works. Ultimately, the purpose for which God created man and the purpose for which He redeemed us from sin through the blood of Jesus are the same.

Colossians 1:10 (NIV)

"...so that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God..."

Our faith is not completed all at once when we first believe in Jesus. As time passes, faith grows gradually through various trials and training. Initially, the goal of believing in Jesus might be for everyone to receive blessings and live well and healthy in this world. However, as we gradually come to understand God's Word, we realize through repentance and obedience that our souls must be transformed to enter the Kingdom of Heaven.

The purpose of believing in Jesus is not to prosper in this temporary world. It is to receive the resurrection of life when we leave this world and enter the Kingdom of Heaven to live joyfully with the Lord forever. Many Christians perish because they cannot distinguish between being redeemed from sin and the salvation of entering Heaven; they live according to their greed and fail to repent. No one can keep the Law 100%. Therefore, we must strive to love one another every day while living a life of repentance. This is the normal path of salvation.

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Romans 3:29-31 (NIV)

"Or is God the God of Jews only? Is he not the God of Gentiles too? Yes, of Gentiles too, since there is only one God, who will justify the circumcised by faith and the uncircumcised through that same faith. Do we, then, nullify the law by this faith? Not at all! Rather, we uphold the law."

God the Creator is the only God for both Jews and Gentiles. This is because all humans and all things were created through God alone. In the Old Testament, the Jews were recognized as God's special chosen people and were distinguished from the Gentiles through circumcision. However, this system was temporary and was a preparatory measure for Jesus to be born into the world.

In the Old Testament, only the Jews offered sacrifices to God; they were forgiven of their sins by sprinkling the blood of a lamb on the altar. This foreshadowed that Jesus would one day come to the world, shed His blood, and through that blood, all humanity would receive the forgiveness of sins. Since Jesus came, whether Jew or Gentile, one can only be forgiven and saved through the blood of Jesus.

In the Old Testament, the Ten Commandments were given to the Jews. They lived centered on the Ten Commandments, and when they broke them, they had to sprinkle the blood of a lamb to receive forgiveness and preserve their lives. But now, there is no distinction between Jew and Gentile; forgiveness and salvation come only through Jesus.

In the New Testament era, we are redeemed from sin by confessing Jesus as Savior, and we must keep the commandment of love given to believers. The Ten Commandments of the Old Testament and the commandment of love in the New Testament share the same context. Both are commandments to love God and one's neighbor.

However, there is a difference. The method of receiving forgiveness for sins has changed in the New Testament. Sacrifices of animal blood have disappeared; forgiveness is only through the blood of Jesus Christ. While the Ten Commandments primarily pointed out, corrected, and brought repentance for visible human sins, the commandments of Jesus Christ deal with and bring repentance for not only external activities but also all sins that arise in the human heart.

The completion of faith is not just confessing Jesus as Savior but also keeping Jesus' commandment of love. Since no one keeps it 100%, everyone must strive to keep the commandment of loving God and neighbor while repenting of their sins. Human doctrines claim that once you confess Jesus Christ once, even future sins completely disappear. This ignores Jesus Christ's commandment of love and is a path to destruction. One who has confessed Jesus Christ as Lord must keep Jesus' commandment of love and repent whenever there is a deficiency for that faith to be completed.

1 John 2:3–5 (NIV)

"We know that we have come to know him if we keep his commands. Whoever says, 'I know him,' but does not do what he commands is a liar, and the truth is not in that person. But if anyone obeys his word, love for God is truly made complete in them. This is how we know we are in him:"

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Romans 4:1-5 (NIV)

"What then shall we say that Abraham, our forefather according to the flesh, discovered in this matter? If, in fact, Abraham was justified by works, he had something to boast about—but not before God. What does the Scripture say? 'Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness.' Now to the one who works, wages are not credited as a gift but as an obligation. However, to the one who does not work but trusts God who justifies the ungodly, their faith is credited as righteousness."

All humans are sinners and become righteous only when they believe in God. However, we are not righteous like Jesus. God merely calls us righteous; we are not actually righteous in ourselves. No human is completely righteous, but when we repent, the blood of Jesus washes away human sin and makes us righteous.

When a debtor pays off the debt, they are no longer a debtor. If children fall into debt and their parents pay it off for them, the children are no longer in the position of a debtor; they are set free from that debt. All humans are sinning and walking the path of destruction. God, who pitied such sinners, took on human form and came into the world; Jesus took upon Himself the price of all human sins and died on the cross.

By this grace, anyone who believes in Jesus is saved from destruction. Only faith delivers sinners from God's judgment. No other way exists. However, many Christians misunderstand this scripture. They mistake a one-time salvation for eternal salvation. Such Christians do not believe the words of the Bible but believe in human doctrines. Human doctrine is the theory that if you confess Jesus Christ as Savior just once, you will unconditionally enter Heaven. Such claims absolutely do not align with the words of the Bible. Anything that departs from the Bible is a false gospel.

The Bible says that Abraham was justified because he believed God. Therefore, we must verify in the Bible what kind of faith Abraham had.

James 2:21-24 (NIV)

"Was not our father Abraham considered righteous for what he did when he offered his son Isaac on the altar? You see that his faith and his actions were working together, and his faith was made complete by what he did. And the scripture was fulfilled that says, 'Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness,' and he was called God’s friend. You see that a person is considered righteous by what they do and not by faith alone."

Abraham received a command from God to offer his son Isaac as a sacrifice on the altar. It was difficult for him. However, he obeyed the Lord's command. This was Abraham's faith. If he had disobeyed God's command, his faith would have been fake. Abraham made a decision and obeyed the Lord. That faith saved him and made him the father of faith.

After Abraham offered Isaac on the altar, he made many mistakes while living in the world. However, every time, he repented and received the Lord's forgiveness. This was his living faith. A dead faith is one that does not repent even after committing sin; this is a false faith. It is human doctrine that claims false actions and faith are right.

What is the true faith that saves us from destruction?

First, it is confessing Jesus as the only Savior. Then, it is obeying Jesus' words and repenting like Abraham whenever a mistake is made. This kind of religious life follows the faith of Abraham. Jesus' word tells us to forgive one another, love, and repent of our shortcomings. Ignoring these commands of Jesus and merely attending church is a very wrong kind of faith.

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Romans 4:11-15 (NIV)

"And he received circumcision as a sign, a seal of the righteousness that he had by faith while he was still uncircumcised. So then, he is the father of all who believe but have not been circumcised, in order that righteousness might be credited to them. And he is then also the father of the circumcised who not only are circumcised but who also follow in the footsteps of the faith that our father Abraham had before he was circumcised. It was not through the law that Abraham and his offspring received the promise that he would be heir of the world, but through the righteousness that comes by faith. For if those who depend on the law are heirs, faith means nothing and the promise is worthless, because the law brings wrath. And where there is no law there is no transgression."

All humans are sinners and are made righteous only through faith. Abraham's receipt of circumcision was a confirmation of the righteousness of faith he had received while uncircumcised. In other words, he did not become righteous because he was circumcised; he was already righteous through faith, and circumcision sealed that.

If we were to become righteous through the Law, then believing in Jesus would be useless. The Law is the standard for judging human sins. We must accurately realize our sins through the Law and repent. Without the Law, we would not know what sin is and could not achieve proper repentance.

The Law is the standard for loving God and neighbor. However, no human can keep it all. Yet, when we discover our shortcomings through the Law and repent, the blood of Jesus cleanses our sins; this allows us to escape God's judgment.

The Old Testament Law and Jesus' commandment of love are in the same context, but there is a difference. In the Old Testament, sacrifices were offered with the blood of animals. Now, when we believe in the blood of Jesus and repent, all our sins are forgiven. Also, the Old Testament Law mainly dealt with sins visible to the human eye. In the Old Testament, the Holy Spirit had not yet come, so they lived their religious lives without the help of the Spirit. Therefore, God did not deal deeply with the sins of their hearts.

However, in the New Testament, because the Holy Spirit has come, the sins that arise in the human heart are dealt with deeply. Greed, hatred, lust, and an unforgiving heart—these sins are pointed out and rebuked. Those who cannot overcome the sins of the heart eventually commit those sins through actions. Humans cannot overcome the sins of the heart by themselves. It is through repentance and receiving the Holy Spirit that one overcomes the sins of the heart by the Spirit's help. Yet, no one is perfect. Therefore, all Christians must daily repent of the sins that enter through their thoughts.

Circumcision is the same as baptism. Receiving water baptism does not automatically make sins disappear. It is only meaningful if one repents and then is baptized. All Israelites were circumcised at birth, but not many among them went to Heaven. The reason is that they did not live lives of repentance and obedience.

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Romans 4:20-25 (NIV)

"Yet he did not waver through unbelief regarding the promise of God, but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God, being fully persuaded that God had power to do what he had promised. This is why 'it was credited to him as righteousness.' The words 'it was credited to him' were written not for him alone, but also for us, to whom God will credit righteousness—for us who believe in him who raised Jesus our Lord from the dead. He was delivered over to death for our sins and was raised to life for our justification."

Abraham believed God's promise exactly with a steadfast faith. There were deficiencies in his life. However, he repented and firmly believed in God's promise. God credited that as his righteousness. God recognized his unwavering faith.

God does not give this grace only to Abraham. Today, He gives the same grace as Abraham's to everyone who believes in Jesus. Jesus Christ took upon Himself all the sins of mankind, died on the cross, and rose again. All who believe this word and repent are regarded as righteous by God.

Jesus Christ is God Himself who became flesh and came down to this earth. Jesus was hung on the cross because of our transgressions. Jesus received the punishment that sinners should have received. This is the Creator God receiving punishment on behalf of the sins of mankind. God regards those who believe this word as righteous.

Those who believe in Jesus' grace and promises are like Abraham believing in God's promise. God appeared to the 100-year-old Abraham and said, "Countless children like the stars in the sky will be born to you." By human judgment and experience, this could never happen. However, Abraham believed that the Almighty God would certainly do so. His faith did not waver. This faith of his was credited as his righteousness.

Today, what promise of God must we believe as firmly as Abraham did? It is believing that Jesus died for our sins and was resurrected. We must believe that the blood of Jesus cleanses all our sins. Those who believe in the grace of the cross of Jesus Christ, who redeemed the sins of mankind, will certainly repent and receive the Lord's forgiveness. Those who truly repent strive not to commit the same sins again; this is obeying God.

Those who believe in human doctrines shout Jesus' redemption and grace only with their mouths. However, their lives are far removed from lives of repentance and obedience. Not practicing Jesus' words is ultimately not believing in Jesus. Christians who ignore Jesus' words and follow worldly benefits do not have a steadfast faith like Abraham. A faith shaken by worldly things cannot be justified by the Lord. All humans are deficient, so everyone must strive to obey while repenting.

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Romans 5:1-6 (NIV)

"Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we boast in the hope of the glory of God. Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us. You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly."

When we confess Jesus Christ as Lord, everyone is redeemed from sin and justified. However, this state does not mean the salvation of the soul is completed. We must keep this position of grace, standing by faith until the end, to go to Heaven.

What does it mean to continue keeping the position of salvation through faith?

It means that those who have confessed Jesus Christ as Savior must live according to Jesus' words, and when they sin, they must immediately repent and wash that sin with the blood of Jesus. When Christians sin and do not repent, they lose the position of salvation received by grace. They leave the path of life and go toward the path of destruction. Such people still attend church, but they believe in Jesus under the dominion of Satan. They live their religious lives according to human thoughts and doctrines; it is the path of destruction. However, those who realize their sin and repent return to the Lord's bosom.

Jesus cried out to the people of Israel, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near." The fact that the Kingdom of Heaven has come near means that Jesus, the Master of the Kingdom, has come near. Those who repent wash their sins with the blood of Jesus and become citizens of Heaven. The Israelites were God's people from birth. However, because they did not live a life of repentance, they were placed under Satan's dominion and were going to hell. Therefore, the Lord tried to make them repent and move them from the path of death to the path of life.

Being redeemed from sin is the start of the journey of salvation. Those who keep this position of salvation until the end go to Heaven. Christians must keep the position of salvation received by the grace of Jesus' cross until the end through a life of repentance and obedience. A one-time salvation is absolutely not eternal salvation.

There are so many who confessed Jesus as Savior but left Jesus and perished because they believed that a one-time salvation is eternal salvation. Under Moses' leadership, countless Israelites left Egypt to enter the land of Canaan. By God's power, the deep Red Sea was divided before them. Through God's miracle, they crossed the bottom of the Red Sea as if on dry land. The Bible says that through this miracle, the Israelites were baptized. And for them, living water burst forth from the desert rock, and manna fell from the sky every day to be their food.

Most of the Israelites who experienced such miracles failed to enter the land of Canaan and perished along the way. What was the reason? It was because they lived complaining and grumbling and did not repent of those sins. They were redeemed from sin by applying the blood of the Passover lamb, but because they disobeyed and did not repent, their souls were not saved. Today, we who have been redeemed from sin must also keep the position of salvation received by grace until the end through a life of repentance and obedience to enter the Kingdom of Heaven.