By: Robert Serreyn

Question? In 1 Thessalonians 1:9 are we to turn to God for salvation?

(1 Thessalonians 1:9)  For they themselves shew of us what manner of entering in we had unto you, and how ye turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God.

Answer: NO,

We are NEVER told to do ANYTHING to gain salvation in scripture, If we had to then that would make God’s GIFT of salvation not a gift of grace and mercy but of works which would violate and contradict scripture.

(Ephesians 2:8,9)  For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: (9)  Not of works, lest any man should boast.

(Titus 3:5)  Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost.

(Romans 4:5)  But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.

-Grace is GIVING us what we do not deserve – Eternal Life

-Mercy is WITH-HOLDING what we do deserve – HELL.

1 Thessalonians 1:9 IS NOT about turning to God for salvation.

TAKE NOTICE of two words “TO SERVE”

We are to TURN from sin TO SERVE the Lord BECAUSE we are saved NOT TO get saved.

After a person TRUST Christ ALONE as saviour, God wants to use them as his ambassadors (witness).

(2 Corinthians 5:20)  Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ’s stead, be ye reconciled to God.

The MOST IMPORTANT thing to know IS Jesus Christ as savior, just simply believe that Jesus Christ went to the cross and DIED and shed his blood, was BURIED and three days later RESURRECTED from the dead to pay for your sins. the MOMENT you believe(TRUST in Christ ALONE) you recieve eternal life.

-Christ DIED for you – Romans 5:8

-Christ PAID your sins in full – 2 Corinthians 5:21,1 Peter 2:24

-BELIEVE (Trust In Completely) in Christ ALONE as the complete payment of sin for salvation – John 3:16, Acts 16:31, Ephesians 2:8,9

“For the wages(payment) of sin is death (eternal torment in hell); but the GIFT(salvation) of God is eternal life THROUGH Jesus Christ our Lord”. Romans 6:23

IT IS THAT SIMPLE – THE GOSPEL TRUTH