We see, therefore, there is a tremendous "if" associated with the Christian salvation. If we do what the Lord and His Apostles commanded, not starting out and then quitting, not becoming discouraged and turning away from the Lord, we will come to the hour when we stand before the Lord Jesus and hear His "Well done, good and faithful servant. Enter the joy of your Lord. I had to overcome evil while on the earth and now you, through faith in My power and wisdom, also were able to overcome the evil that came against you.

"All the promises to the overcomer are yours. You have inherited all things. You have exercised faith in the faithfulness of God and thus were able to escape the pollution that is in the world through lust."

But if we are not faithful to Jesus, if we do not follow His teachings and those of His Apostles but continue to live in our sinful nature, we have no basis on which to anticipate joy when we stand before Jesus. Instead we will hear, "Don't tell me about how you accepted Me or spoke in tongues or anything else. You did not obey God. You are a worker of wickedness. Get away from Me!"

Is this what you want to hear?

"Oh Brother Thompson, our sweet Jesus would never talk to anyone like that!"

Many will say to me on that day, "Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name, and in your name drive out demons and perform many miracles?" Then I will tell them plainly, "I never knew you. Away from me, you evildoers!" (Matthew 7:22,23—NIV)

Will you be one of those "many" who prophesied in the name of Jesus and then were driven from His Presence? You would think after having prophesied, driven out demons, performed many miracles, all in the name of Jesus, they would have had a warm welcome. What happened to their "state of grace"?

His master replied, "You wicked, lazy servant! So you knew I harvest where I have not sown and gather where I have not scattered seed? Well then, you should have put my money on deposit with the bankers, so when I returned I would have received it back with interest." Take the talent from him and give it to the one who has the ten talents. For everyone who has will be given more, and he will have an abundance. Whoever does not have, even what he has will be taken from him. And throw that worthless servant outside, into the darkness, where there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth. (Matthew 25:26-30—NIV)

Please note that the parable of the talents is not speaking of the people of the world but of the Lord's servants. Whatever Jesus has given you, from the gift of salvation forward, constitute your talents. If you do not spend them in the business of the Kingdom you are facing a very harsh future. No state of grace will save you then.

The "ifs" in the plan of salvation are tremendous. We are saved if we keep in mind what we have been taught, paying diligent attention to the words of Christ and His Apostles.

But if we choose instead to live as so many American believers do, in the lukewarmness of casual church-going, then there is no guarantee we will receive a warm welcome in Heaven when we die.

And no "state of grace" is found in the New Testament that nullifies the words of Jesus Christ and His Apostles. (from The Tremendous "If")