Is it sensible that even though we have not been redeemed from all wickedness, even though we have not been purified from all uncleanness, even though we are not eager to do what is good, Christ still will regard us as people who belong to Him in a special way? Do you actually believe this? I certainly do not. There are too many other passages that prevent this interpretation.

Previously we mentioned Ephesians 2:8,9:

For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so no one can boast. (Ephesians 2:8,9—NIV)

These two verses are fundamental to Evangelical thinking. They were given to me when I first accepted the Lord in 1944 while on duty in the Marine Corps.

But I was never informed of the next verse. I wonder why? It is not a wise practice to take verses out of context, but it is the only way you can support the current Evangelical position.

If you will consider Ephesians 2:10 (the "orphan") you will see what I mean.

For we are God's workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. (Ephesians 2:10—NIV)

My goodness! This blows the program!

We were created in Christ Jesus to do good works. Furthermore God prepared these good works in advance (probably from the beginning of the world) for us to do.

In fact if we read the context of Ephesians 2:8,9, beginning with verse eighteen of Chapter One and concluding with verse ten of Chapter Two, studying and considering each verse carefully, we will see that the current application of Ephesians 2:8,9 as a ticket to Heaven is a terrible perversion of the intent of the Apostle. It truly represents a biased scholarship, unworthy of devout, competent Bible teachers and expositors.

If all this were not enough to demonstrate beyond doubt that faith in Christ and moral transformation are of equal rank in reconciling us to God, we have the several stern warnings of the Lord Jesus concerning the believers who do not bear the fruit of righteous behavior.

We all remember how our Lord said the branch that does not bear fruit will be cut from the Vine, that is, from Himself; how He told the members of the church of Thyatira that He was going to repay each member according to his or her deeds.

I will strike her children dead. Then all the churches will know I am he who searches hearts and minds, and I will repay each of you according to your deeds. (Revelation 2:23—NIV)

Do we also know some of the passages in which Paul warned us concerning the fate of the believer who continues to live in the lusts and appetites of the flesh? Paul said if we Christians live in the appetites of our flesh we will die spiritually. In the context he meant we would prevent the redemption of our physical body.

For if you live according to the sinful nature, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live, (Romans 8:13—NIV)

To be continued.