The initial steps of salvation are like admission to the university. We have been accepted in the four-year program but we haven't learned the material yet. We haven't graduated yet. We do not have a job as yet.

Jesus is not a pass from Hell to Heaven. Jesus is the Way to eternal life, to the full knowledge of the Father. Not the ticket but the way. You have found the gate that opens to the path that leads to eternal life. But the way is difficult to walk having many obstacles and pressures. The righteous are saved with difficulty.

When you have residing in your personality any of the eight behaviors and attitudes assigned to the Lake of Fire, the Lake of Fire retains authority over the behaviors by the unchangeable Word of the Father. Not authority over you, if you are abiding in Christ, but over the behaviors. The law of the Medes and the Persians may be changed, but the Word of the Father—never!

If you put your faith in Christ you will be saved. This means that at some point, if you keep on obeying the Lord Jesus, you will be delivered from the eight behaviors under discussion. To be saved is to be forgiven and delivered. When you have only been forgiven you have not been saved as yet, just admitted to the program. You still are a rebel against the Father. It is not until you have been delivered from sin and rebellion that you can pass through the gates into the new Jerusalem.

Jesus did not come to change the Father's laws. Jesus came to make it possible for us to be set free, that is, to have the works of the devil removed from us.

Can a cowardly person enter the Kingdom of God? Can a cowardly person enter through the gates into the new Jerusalem? No, he or she cannot. The cowardly are not permitted in the holy city.

How about mercy and grace? Mercy and grace have nothing to do with it. Mercy and grace operate now so we can come to God, be forgiven, and be delivered. The Scripture cannot be broken.

"What if Jesus' righteousness is imputed to me?"

Jesus' righteousness will be imputed to you if you call upon His name. Imputed righteousness will make it possible for you to bring your prayers before God in Heaven and to receive the Holy Spirit. Imputed righteousness will make it possible for you to pursue the program of deliverance from sin.

But you cannot enter the Kingdom of God, you cannot go through the gates of the new Jerusalem and enter the holy city, until you have been delivered from cowardice.

How about an unbelieving person? The same applies.

How about a vile person? The same applies.

How about a murderer? The same applies.

How about an immoral person? The same applies.

How about someone who practices sorcery? The same applies.

How about an idolater? The same applies.

How about a Christian who is a liar? The same applies.

"Do you mean to say that if I am a believer in Christ and remain a fearful person, I will not go to Heaven?"

To be continued.